Remembering Home Economics and a Classic Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

posted in: A Day In The Life, Country Recipes | 1

Hi All,

When I was in Junior high school many moons ago we had a choice between Shop class or Home Economics as an elective. As shy as I was in school the thought of sitting in a room full of boys learning about tools and such made my skin crawl. (I would love to take a woodworking class now though as I am no stranger to jigsaws, drills, electric staple guns and other power tools!)

So I chose “Home Ec” as we called it. I was in 7th grade and I can still remember my teacher. Ms. Happ was a pleasantly plump older lady with a sweet disposition (she may have been in her late 40’s, early 50’s but to a 12-year-old girl that is OLD! I can still remember the room had 4 fully equipped kitchens, each complete with a stove and refrigerators. To the back of the room, overlooking the courtyard was Ms. Happ’s desk, a few tables for us to sit, and…. there were the sewing machines.

I learned how to baste and sew in that cozy little room. My first sewing project was of a simple full length apron with two pockets. We cut, basted and sewed ’til the cows came home and I loved it. When we were done we proceeded to embroider our names on the front.  Lesson number two. In 8th grade we sewed a cute little teddy bear dressed in overalls. Oh how I wish I had saved my little bear but I do still have the apron…..

handmade apron

It’s a bit small for me now but my daughter has used it when we  bake together.

OHHH BAKING! Ms. Happ also introduced me to the wonderful world of baking! I love to bake, especially from scratch. In 9th grade class I remember baking and assembling Ginger Bread Houses around Christmas time. It was so much fun! I don’t have much time for baking from scratch these days but occasionally I will whip out my 1930’s Hamilton Beach electric mixer, wooden spoons and get to it.

vintage hamilton beach mixer

One of the first recipes I learned how to bake in Home Economics was a Snickerdoodle cookie recipe. I can still remember how delicious these cinnamon flavored cookies tasted! I found myself thinking about those cookies a few weeks ago and thought it would be fun to whip up a batch with my daughter.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

I found Betty Crocker’s version of these yummy cookies in one of my cook books. I thought I would share it with you today!

BETTY CROCKER’S SNICKERDOODLE COOKIE RECIPE

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine,softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose or unbleached flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Heat oven to 400º F.
Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
Makes 4 dozen cookies

The cookies turned out great and we had fun baking them. They were as delicious and brought back memories of that shy, 12-year-old girl way back when in Home Ec. class. Things have changed since then. It saddens me that in many schools this class is no longer offered or has evolved over time to something quite different from what I remember. That class planted seeds that stayed with me through my adult life.

 

Thanks for stopping by today and reminiscing with me.

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

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  1. Mary Kate

    Hi Lisa,

    I just read this blog remembering Mrs. Happ. She was so nice! I remember the apron and the teddy bear. My grandmother got to have my apron, b/c I cut the pattern out upside down the first time, and then I had to redo it. Hence, my apron was very short, and perfect for my 4′ 11” grandma.

    I think my bear is still down in my parents basement. As children of the depression, then never throw anything away. I’ll have to hunt for it, the next time I visit.

    Hope you are doing well! Merry Christmas!

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