Consuming Thoughts by Fay Strickler Penn State Extension Home Economist For Berks Co. We have received numerous consumer calls on baking cook ies. the following guidelines on "cookie basics" will help to answer many of your questions. Ingredients: *The flavor and texture of the cookies will be modified when interchanging butter, mar garine, and shortening. If you wish to substitute, do so in equals amounts. When using margarine for baking holiday cookies be sure to select a brand that contains 10-11 grams of fat. Brands that contains less fat will cause the cookies to spread and often have unsatisfactory baking results. •Use large eggs for baking. •Don't substitute granulated sugar when a recipe calls for powered sugar. •Only use synthetic sweeten ers in recipes specifically devel oped for them or follow manu facturer amounts. •If unsure about a substitu tion, the rule is don't do it. •It's important to beat mar garine and sugar until well creamed to help sugar start to dissolve and to incorporate air lucing the new AGCO® Albs 8765 85 PTO hp 8765 has been designed to help you get more done and do it better than ever. Come get a good look at one today. SEE YOUR DEALER TODAY! MANOR MOTORS On Rte. 553 Penn Run, Pa. 724-254-4753 HERNLEY’S FARM EQUIP., INC. Elizabethtown, Pa. 717-367-8867 into the dough for a light cookie. Be sure stick margarine is soft ened before beating. Baking: •Preheat the oven so cookies are assured of uniform baking temperature. •Use flat cookie sheets with low or no sides. High-sided pans prevent proper browning. •Shiny baking sheets yield the most evenly baked and browned cookies. If using dark pans, reduce the oven tempera ture 25° to reduce the risk of burning. •Use baking pans that fit your oven properly—allow 2 inches from their edge to each side of the oven. Substitute the back of any large pan for a cook ie sheet. Storage: •Cool cookies thoroughly on a rack in single layers before stor ing. •To keep cookies soft or chewy, store in an- airtight con tainer. To keep crunchy cookies from becoming limp, keep in a loosely covered container in a cool, dry place. To crisp softened cookies, heat them in a 300° Great New Ideas. N c „ New Choices New Clutch Cab or foldable Wet multi disc clutch ROPS operator Increases durability New Style New Engine Low profile AGCO-Allis styling for 400 Series increased turbocharged visibility liquid cooled diesel NICHOLS FARM EQUIP. Bloomsburg, Pa. 717-784-7731 B.H.M. FARM EQUIP. INC. Annville, Pa. 717-867-2211 B. EQUIP., INC/ Waynesboro, Pa. 717-762-3193 oven for 5 minutes. •Baked cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for 9-12 months if wrapped in moisture and vaporproof plastic bags or containers. •Many cookie doughs freeze nicely—refrigerator doughs as well as rolled and drop cookie doughs. Store in freezer contain ers up to 2 months. Thaw 3-6 hours in refrigerator, bake with in 24 hours. Q. When I bake cookies using my grandmother's recipe, they don't seem to taste the same nor do they have the same texture. What am I doing wrong? A. Using old recipes often means "NOT" using modern measuring cups and spoons or adapting the recipe to obtain the same baking results, since Grandma often used a scale. Here are a few of the more common ingredients and the conversions: 1 pound flower = 3 3/4 cups unsifted. 1 pound granulated sugar = 2 cups. 1 pound brown sugar = 2 1/2 cups firmly packed. 1 pound confectioners' sugar = about 4 cups unsifted. 1 pound butter = 2 Cups. 1-cup large eggs = 5 whole eggs, 8 whites, or 12 yolks. 1 pound dried fruit; apricots = 3 to 4 cups dates = 2 1/2 cups (60) prunes = 2 1/2 cups (30 to 40) New Power Standard 12x4 or *ional 12x12 GRUMELLI FARM SERVICE Quarryville, Pa. 717-786-7318 WERTZ FARM & POWER EQUIPMENT, INC. PA Rt. 516, Glen Rock, Pa. 717-235-Otll Raisins = 2 1/2 cups seeded or 3 cups seedless New electronic Y 3 point hitch C.J. WONSIDLER BROS. Quakertown, Pa. 215-536-7523 New Tripoli, Pa. 215-767-7611 Oley, Pa. 215-987-6257 Amat. -ii prepi ig pi the 4-H embryology project. Last year more than 900 4-H members enrolled m the embryology program. Plant Agent Begins CARLISLE (Cumberland Co.) - Amanda Lehman is the newest staff member of the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Office. She recently began her duties as a 4-H and plant science agent. She is a graduate of Delaware Valley College with a degree in agrono my and environmental Science. Amanda's pervious work experience was an an agrono mist for Brubaker Agronomic Consulting Service. Amanda is married to Timothy Leham of Mechanicsburg. As a 4-H and plant science agent will be developing new school enrich loading surface dissipating heat AGCO r ABCO 1 il ALLIS I HOLTRY’S EQUIPMENT Roxbury, Pa. 717-532-7261 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 12. 1998-815 f —CLOSED SUNDAYS, NEW YEAR, fgeLJ EASTER MONDAY,ASCENSION DAY, WHIT MONDAY, OCT. 11, THANKSGIVING, FHaNMTIVIRt CHRISTMAS & DECEMBER 26TH FISHER’S FURNITURE, INC. NEW AND USED FURNITURE USED COAL & WOOD HEATERS COUNTRY FURNITURE & ANTIQUES BUS. HRS. BOX 57 MON.-THURS. 3-5 1129 GEORGETOWN RD. FRI, 8-8, SAT. 8-12 BART, PA 17503 ment programs; as well ,as, working with existing programs. Much of her time will be spent working with 4-H members and clubs. She will also be assisting with the Master Gardener Program.