Grampa Cookies for Recipe Friday
Ever since I have known him, which is almost 27 years, my father-in-law has made the yummiest cookies at Christmas time. Each family gets a tin filled with these cookies every year. We call them Grampa Cookies.
This year I decided to get the “recipe” from him to share with all of you. When I asked, he replied, “Well, there really isn’t much of a recipe.” And in some respects that is true. But as we talked more I gleaned from him the tricks to executing this seemingly simple recipe successfully — tricks he has learned from trial and error (followed by success) over the past 27+ years. I think he has it down to a science now. Hopefully I can save all the errors for others who try this recipe, including me next year.
This is a picture of the tin of Grampa Cookies we got for Christmas this year. They were almost half gone before I could get the picture taken, and so I don’t have an example of a vanilla one, but they are yummy, too. I think my father-in-law said he made 260 Grampa Cookies this year. That’s a lot of melting, dipping, and love!
Grampa Cookies
Ingredients:
Almond bark (chocolate or vanilla)
Ritz crackers
Creamy peanut butter
Directions:
Spread a thin layer of peanut butter between two Ritz crackers to make a sandwich. Repeat until you have made enough for as many cookies as you want.
To coat the sandwich cookies, use almond bark, an easy melting candy coating that comes in chocolate and vanilla (and possibly other flavors I don’t know about). It comes in squares that can be easily broken apart. Place 7 squares of almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove and stir. Microwave a second time for about 30 seconds and stir. Microwave a third time for about 30 seconds, and the almond bark should be ready for dipping the sandwich cookies.
My father-in-law said you have to be ready to dip quickly and not allow for interruptions once you start dipping. The 7 squares should be enough to coat 20 to 25 cookies. Use a pair of tongs to turn the sandwiches over and over in the dip until they are coated on all sides, then set them on a piece of wax paper, parchment paper, or Saran wrap to set.
Do not try to re-melt the almond bark as it won’t turn out right. Being a thrifty guy, my father-in-law scrapes the last of the almond bark in each batch out onto this broken cookie sandwiches — he called these his “seconds” because they taste just as good but don’t look like a nice cookie that he would want to include in our gift tins.
Repeat this whole process 20 sandwich cookies at a time until you have the number you want. These can be stored for several months in cool temperatures, but tend to crack open around the edges if frozen.
Share this:
My husband loves those! I like them, too. 🙂
Thanks Linda.
It appears that you are a great baker. I wish you lived closer to me so that I could taste some of those goodies that you are cooking up.
Thanks for your faithfulness in sharing. You are truly gifted of the Lord.
GOD BLESS AND DO TELL THE LORD THANK YOU!
DEBRA
Debra, I have actually never made these, and most of the other baking recipes are from my son (who is the baker in the family) or from a box mix. My specialty is creative cooking of easy dinners. But I like to share what I learn from others in the recipe arena. Peace, Linda
Thanks for sharing, Linda 🙂
These look quite yummy!!
If ‘Grandpa’ had shared these this year, I am sure they would enjoyed a better reception than his rock candies. Mind you, I know we will be the ones baking them for him, but the children will be delighted to have ‘Grandpa Cookies’
Blessings much,
ann
Ann, I think these would be fun ones to make with kids (assuming they are old enough to focus). And I agree that Grampa Cookies sound better than rock candy – never been my favorite. 🙂 Peace and Happy New Year, Linda
Sounds muy bueno! The tradition being passed on is probably the real recipe though, but am sure the cookies are top-drawer.
Yes, keeping the tradition alive, and maybe helping others start new ones, is quite wonderful. Peace, Linda
I’ve heard of this, but never tasted them or done them. It sounds fun . . .but I may not make 260 of them. That might not be fun. 🙂 And i love the name you gave them! Thank you for sharing more than just recipes here. God bless you and yours today, and have a great weekend!
Deb, I think 260 is actually fewer than my father-in-law has made in years past! It’s quite a project. If I was to make them I’d do a smaller batch too. Peace, Linda
Linda, when you share recipes, you share a part of you and your family with us, and it is just blesses me. This morning I wrote a little poem in honor of what you do on Fridays and all week long. 🙂
For Recipe Friday
Err often on the side of mercy
over do greatly with dollops of grace
spread thick love’s sweet icing
then never look back and regret it.
Deb, You are so sweet! No one has ever written a poem for me. I love it. I love you! I praise God for the blessing you are to me. Peace, Linda