Washboard Cookies

These cookies are made from staples in your pantry, making them quick and easy.  I yielded 2 dozen cookies from this recipe.   I only had light brown sugar on hand so I turned it into dark brown sugar by adding 1 tbsp of molasses per 1 cup of light brown sugar and blending.  If you only have white granulated sugar, you can make it dark brown by adding 2 tbsp of molasses to 1 cup of granulated sugar and blending. 
 
Ingredients 

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon hot water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour sugar

Directions 

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, brown sugar and egg. Stir together baking soda, water and vanilla; add to creamed mixture. Add flour and mix well.
2. Shape into walnut-sized balls. Place on greased baking sheets; flatten with a fork that has been dipped in water. Sprinkle with sugar.
3. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool on waxed paper.

Penny Pinching Tip

Okay, this isn't exactly a recipe or a craft but I feel so guilty by my lack of blog posting lately that I thought I'd throw you all a bone! Sigh.... My kitchen is dusty... school is literally consuming all of my free time but the laundry still must be done! So I'll share my secret that I do every time I buy a box of fabric softener; I cut the sheets in half. Literally. I use a sharp knife and saw right through the stack of sheets. This way, I have twice as many! Half a sheet is still enough to soften the clothes and make them smelly good but I don't burn through the box as quickly this way.

Try it! (But be sure to cut them in half like the photo shows. The first time I tried this, I cut them lengthwise and the "layers" of folds left me with slivered sheets that were way too small and would stick to my pajama pants people's clothing).