Nanny's Sugar Cookies
I'm sitting here staring blankly at the screen, trying to find a good starting point for what I want to tell you. It's tough, because there is so much I want to share with you...but still one of those topics that is sentimental for me.
Like most people, family is super important to me. I had some amazing grandparents, on both sides. With so many wonderful stories, values, traditions and such love. Sadly, all four have passed, but I will cherish the memories with them until the day I leave this earth. A little lesson in my family layout....My Dads parents we called "Grandma" and "Grandpa", while my Mom's parents we called "Nanny" and "Papa". (Just so you know I am not referring to a caregiver when I was younger.)
(Me as a baby with my Papa looking at me, Nany to the left and Mom to the right)
I obviously loved them all dearly, and they are all so special to me. This post, however, is dedicated to my Nanny. Edna "Davis" Jackson was her name, and man was she something amazing. One of those individuals who cared more about others well being than her own. She loved to volunteer at the hospital and I fondly remember riding around with her when she delivered "Meals on Wheels" to the elderly. She was one of a kind. It's hard not to tear up just reminiscing and trying to figure out what memories I want to share with you without writing a novel.
(My Great Grandma Davis with my Nany and her two sisters, she is the youngest...I think)
Based on what I've told you so far, it probably sounds like I got to spend a lot of time with her. Unfortunately she was the first loss I experienced in my life, I was 7. We were so very close to them, spent many of nights and days at their house. I can still hear the Cuckoo clock chiming at every hour of the day. So many sweet sounds, smells and memories came from that house.
(Me and Nany as a baby...I wish I had more when I was a little older handy, but all I could find were the oldest pictures)
The one thing I really want to convey to you is how amazing of a cook she was. I know most "Grandmothers" are wonderfully skilled in the kitchen. Especially those that were raised in era where most women were expected to be domestic goddesses, like my Nannys generation. There are SO SO SO many meals I can remember loving growing up, and she went all out for them.
Two of the recipes really stand out for me from her. One of which, I will probably never share with you because it was something that is taught in the kitchen, not on a paper recipe. The other, I am sharing with you today, her sugar cookies. These aren't your conventional sugar cookies you and I are used to. These have a unique flavor that tastes like home to me. Just the smell brings back memories. The two secret ingredients? Lemon Zest and Ground Nutmeg. SO good.
Just promise me you will try and make them. I know that Nanny is looking down and smiling that I am sharing her recipe with the world. She loved to share her delicious food!
What are some of your favorite family recipes?
Printable Recipe
Nanny’s Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
1 Cup Crisco (hard crisco, not the oil)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp lemon zest
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
4 tbsp milk
4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
In a stand mixer, combine Crisco, salt, grated lemon zest and sugar until combined.
Beat in eggs and milk until just combined, scrape down the sides.
On a low speed, mix in the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder and baking soda.
Drop rounded tablespoon size balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Grease the bottom of a drinking glass, dip in sugar and flatten each ball with glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden around the edges. Remove and allow to cool on cooling rack.
Categories: Desserts:Cookies
Tags: cookies sugar cookies
Such a great post. I love my Mom's sugar cookie recipe, but might just have to try this one.
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Thanks Julie...you should try them. They are a bit different than a regular one!
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What river is that from the picture with your "Papa" looking down on you?
As you know...I'm lucky enough to still have both my grandmothers around, but thinking of my two grandfathers makes me always tear up a little. I lost them both within the same year and it was tough for me. Grandparents are sure special people!
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I'm pretty sure that picture is from Garner State Park...thats where we always went with them.
Grandparents are special people!
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Great post. Love the photos. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for stopping by
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What a sweet and touching post! These cookies look absolutely delicious
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Thank you! They are...you should try them!
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Great pictures!! Thanks for the story! Cookies look perfect!
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Thanks Erin
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I just love sugar cookies! And I absolutely loved seeing the photos in here. Thanks so much for sharing your family with all of us. Definitely buzzed this
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Thanks for the buzz and kind words!
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I love this kind of recipes and the story behind them, my favorite family recipe has to come from my moms side, since my grandma ( my mom's mom ) passed away when my mom was 2 years old, my moms father, grandpas, aunts and uncles raised her and her brother, my grandmas brothers and sisters are all amazing at cooking, but I still have my aunt lucy who bakes the most amazing cinammon cookies and lots of other goods! But we make the cinammon cookies all the time those are my all time favorite, I actually shared them on my blog. Thank you for this recipe, I'm sure i'll try it!
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Thanks for sharing your favorite family recipe! I will have to go and check them out!
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Love how you connected your family heritage and the recipe. I feel that knowing the roots of the recipe is so important. A wonderful way to honor your Nanny!
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It is important...don't most recipes start this way somehow too? It is just wonderful to know the story!
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A nice recipe. But the most enjoyable part of this was reading about the importance of family
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Thank you
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Lovely tribute to Nanny. It's really neat how just the aroma of cookies can bring you back to these sweet memories. These cookies are nice, with a few flavor ingredients and no icing. Thanks for sharing.
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It is amazing how a smell can bring back so much! Hope you try the cookies out!
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I love this post
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Love it! Hand me down recipes are so special!
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Wanted to know if you've ever made these cokies with 1 cup butter, instead of the crisco. I try not to use crisco, if I really don't have to. I'm sure the crisco our great-grandmothers and grandmothers used was quite different than crisco today. Just tryin to stay away from hydrogenated oils!
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Front page of TK again with yummy looking cookies, good Job.
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Nanny must be very proud of you wherever she is. Her recipe arrived safely to Spain and I think I´m going to make it.
Thanks for sharing and visit my blog, I have also some thoughts and recipes, btw, my custard roulade is also my mom´s.
Love from the north of Spain
Marialuisa
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Such a sweet post. I think the picture of you grandfather looking at you was incredible and that can of Ann Page nutmeg took be way back. That's the brand my Mom used.
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How many cookies does this make?
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Approximately 4 dozen! When I made them, I halved the recipe!
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