A Recipe from Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book (1963)

About the Recipe

It’s kind of a hectic time of year in our house, which means that I’m stressed. And when I’m stressed, I bake. I was looking for something that really felt like a treat, and anything called a Bonbon was sure to fit the bill!

While I absolutely love this cookbook, again the recipe is written fairly simply. I’ll offer a few tips for cookie making success on this one:

• Start by creaming your butter, then adding the sugar gradually. Add the vanilla after the sugar is fully incorporated.
• The dough was super easy to scoop and mold. I put 3 chocolate chips in each cookie. Next time, I’ll probably use baker’s chocolate or a chocolate bar to have it melt for a bit more of a gooey middle.
• For the icing – you’ll want a flood consistency. To get there, use the recipe below and then add 1 or 2 drops of cream at a time until you get to the right texture. When you stir it, it should settle into a smooth consistency again, but not be runny. If it’s runny, you’ve gone too far.
• Once you have the right icing consistency, hold the cookie from the bottom and dip the top straight down, then lift it straight up. Let it drip off a little bit (give it a little shake if you’d like) and then flip it right side up. If you’re using a topping over the icing, dip the wet icing right into the topping, and again flip it right side up.

This was exactly what I was looking for in a cookie treat, and they turned out so freaking pretty! I added just a little bit of blue to the icing, which looked especially nice under the silver and gold sprinkles. All in all, these were a total success and got a big thumbs up from the husband, Maxx, and my coworkers. They’re definitely going into rotation the next time someone asks me to bring dessert to the party.

About the book

The Betty Crocker Cooky Book is one of those essential cookbook collector books. It’s got a cookie recipe for every occasion and the kind of mid-century graphics that make you want to get in the kitchen and try another recipe. If you find it, grab it! You won’t be sorry.

About the plate

I don’t usually go into plates that aren’t glassware, but this one deserves a mention. The plate belonged to my husband’s Grandma Anna. They have some beautiful gold leafing on them, and serve as the perfect snack plate. We’re so happy to have them to use.

The Recipe!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 T vanilla
Food coloring, if desired
1 1/2 cups flour
1/8 t salt
Fillings: candied or maraschino cherries, nuts, or chocolate pieces
Toppings: chopped nuts, coconut, colored sugar

Bonbon Icing:
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 1/2 T cream
1 t vanilla
Red, green, or yellow food coloring, if desired

Directions:

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, and food coloring. Measure flour by dipping method (see notes below) or by sifting. Blend flour and salt in thoroughly by hand. If dough is dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons cream. 

Heat oven to 350*F. For each cooky, wrap 1 level teaspoonful dough around a filling suggested above. Bake 1′ apart on ungreased baking sheet 12-15 minutes, or until set but not brown. Cool; dip tops of cookies in icing. Decorate each cooky with one of the toppings suggested above. Makes 20-25 cookies.

Bonbon Icing:

Mix sugar, cream, vanilla, and food coloring (if desired). If icing is too thick, mix additional cream by the drop full in the icing until flood consistency is reached.

Notes:

How to Measure Flour by Dipping:

1. Dip graduated measuring cups into flour sack or canister
2. Level off with spatula or straight-edged knife. Do not tap or pack more flour into cup before leveling off.
3. Pour flour into mixing bowl with other ingredients. Or stir flour and other dry ingredients together.