Flying for Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain's cookies

A dear sister girlfriend sent me Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama's cookie recipes. Apparently Family Circle asked the spouses of the presidential candidates to share their favorite cookie recipe, then had readers weigh in on their favorite. The husbands of the past six winners of the cookie ballots have been elected president. You can vote for your favorite at: www.FamilyCircle.com/cookievote. The winning recipe will be announced in the November 1 issue of Family Circle.

Cookies, huh? That has been the predictor of past presidents. Interesting. Well. I will keep my comments to myself and just have fun with it. Or not. Okay, I will not make either of the cookies. I have listed the recipes in no particular order just in case some of you want to try the cookies. I wonder if Senator Clinton had been one of the candidates, would they ask Bill for his cookie recipe. Or would they have asked her?

I wonder why cookies. Maybe souffles, cakes, pies, or main courses are not good indicators. Or maybe it is common knowledge that every woman has a good cookie recipe. Don't you? I do not even remember the last time I made cookies from scratch. More importantly. isn't it wonderful that the November issue of Family Circle will tell us who will win the election? Okay, that will be true only if history repeats itself for the seventh time. Are you holding your breath? I'm not.

In spite of my thoughts about this contest, I am not above sampling Michelle Obama's cookies if someone want to offer me one. Yes, I plan to vote for Obama, but that is not the reason. I hate cinnamon and Cindy McCain's cookies are made with it.

Cindy McCain’s Oatmeal-Butterscotch Cookies

Originally reserved only for special occasions, these butterscotch-chip-studded cookies are now "a must" whenever family gets together, according to Cindy. She attributes the recipe to a good friend.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
1 2/3 cups butterscotch chips
Method:
Heat oven to 375°.

In a large bowl beat the butter or margarine, granulated sugar and brown sugar together. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating well.
In a medium-size bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture; stir until blended. Stir in oats and butterscotch chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto un-greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 375° for 10 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Yields: 5 1/2 dozen cookies

Michelle Obama’s Shortbread Cookies

The recipe comes courtesy of Mama Kaye, the godmother of both Obama daughters. Orange and lemon zest gives the squares plenty of citrus zing.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons Amaretto (almond liqueur)
1 teaspoon each orange and lemon zest
3 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg white
Chopped nuts or dried fruit (optional)
Method:
Heat oven to 325°.

Line a 17 x 12 x 1-inch baking pan with nonstick foil. In large bowl, cream together butter and 11/2 cups of the sugar.
Slowly add egg yolks, and beat well until smooth. Beat in Amaretto and zest.
Stir in flour and salt until combined.
Spread dough evenly into prepared pan, flattening as smoothly as possible.
Brush top of dough with egg white; sprinkle with nuts or fruit (if using) and with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until brown, turn off oven and allow cookies to sit in oven (with door ajar) for 15 minutes. Cut while slightly warm.
Yields: 6 dozen 2" x 3" cookies