One of my all-time favorite cookies has to be the Cherry Wink. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about these tasty treats, packed with the sweetness of chopped cherries and dates. They hark back to simpler times when recipes were passed down through generations, and baking was a beloved family activity. Originating in the mid-20th century, Cherry Wink Cookies quickly became a staple in the cookie jar, enchanting everyone with their delightful crunch and fruity flavors. What I love about these cookies, apart from their taste, is the memories they evoke. Baking a batch of Cherry Winks always reminds me of holidays spent at my grandmother’s, where I’d watch in awe as she expertly measured, mixed, and baked. If you’ve never tried these cookies, you’re in for a treat! They’re not just delicious, but also easy to make. With a few key tips, you’ll be baking these like a pro in no time! Remember to use fresh cherries and dates for that authentic Cherry Wink taste. Also, rolling the cookie dough in crushed corn flakes gives them their distinctive crunch. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the recipe and get baking!
Ingredients
- 3/4 c. shortening
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tbsp. milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/3 c. chopped cherries
- 1 c. chopped dates
- 2 1/4 c. sifted flour
- 1 tsp. soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- crushed corn flakes
Baking Instructions
- Combine shortening and sugar.
- Blend in eggs, milk, vanilla, cherries and dates.
- Sift together flour, soda, salt and baking powder.
- Add to other mixture.
- Shape into balls; roll in crushed corn flakes.
- Bake at 375° for 12 to 15 minutes.
Calorie: 150
Total cooking time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Three-Quarters of a Cup of Shortening and a Whole Lot of Love
We all have those days when life hands you a tub of shortening and tells you to make something of it. I found myself in that very situation, with a 3/4 c. tub of shortening, a spoon, and a dream. My mission was simple: to create the perfect Cherry Wink Cookie.
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice?
Sugar and I have always had a kind of love-hate relationship. It’s like that friend who always shows up uninvited but still manages to be the life of the party. There I was, facing down a cup of sugar, knowing that without it, my cookies would be nothing more than a bland ball of flour and shortening.
Eggs: The Backbone of Baking
If sugar is the life of the party, eggs are the backbone. They hold everything together, working quietly in the background to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Into the mix they went, followed by 2 Tbsp. of milk, and 1 tsp. of vanilla.
The Cherry on Top
You can’t have Cherry Wink Cookies without the cherries, can you? In went 1/3 c. of chopped cherries, turning the mixture a delightful pink hue. I added 1 c. of chopped dates for good measure, because who doesn’t love a little added sweetness?
Flour Power
Next, I tackled the dry ingredients. 2 1/4 c. of sifted flour, 1 tsp. of soda, 1 tsp. of baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. of salt. Sifting together felt like creating a sandcastle of baking ingredients, with my spoon as the shovel.
Combining Forces
Now was the moment of truth: combining the shortening and sugar mixture with the dry ingredients. I took a deep breath, and in it went. As I mixed, I couldn’t help but think of the line from the movie “Ratatouille”: “Anyone can cook.” If a rat can do it, I thought, so can I!
Rollin’ in the Deep (Fryer)
Shape into balls, roll in crushed corn flakes, the recipe said. I looked at my crushed corn flakes, then at my dough. This was my moment. I rolled those dough balls with the skill of a seasoned baker, feeling like a kid with a play-doh set again.
The Heat is On
Into the oven they went, set at a cozy 375°. For 12 to 15 minutes, I sat, waiting, hoping, praying to the cookie gods. Would they rise? Would they fall? Would they be the Cherry Wink Cookies of my dreams?
The Moment of Truth
Finally, the timer dinged. I opened the oven to find a beautiful sight: golden brown cookies, speckled with cherries and dates, a delightful aroma filling the air. As I bit into one, I tasted victory. The shortening, the sugar, the eggs, the milk, the vanilla, the cherries, the dates, the flour, the soda, the baking powder, the salt, the corn flakes – they all came together to create a perfect symphony of flavors.
So, dear reader, if life hands you a tub of shortening, I urge you to embrace it. You never know what kind of deliciousness you might create.
