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Maybe try to put a twist on a traditioal favorite since the firm is conservative. For example, pumpkin chocolate chip or oatmeal cranberry (craisins instead of raisins). Good luck!

Inside- out Chocolate Chip Cookies .. a chocolate cookie with white chocolate chips

Here's one of my favorites. It's different enough to get attention but not so "out there" that it loses appeal. Good luck!

Cranberry-Cornmeal Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
12 Tbsp. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Stir with a fork to mix.
2. In a bowl with electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract and beat well. Add flour mixture in 3 additions, beating after each. Stir cranberries, white chocolate chips and nuts (if using) into cookie batter with a wooden spoon.
3. Using a small ice cream scoop, portion the dough into balls and place about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets. Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges of cookies turn golden. Place the cookie sheet on a wire rack for about 5 minutes to cool, then move the cookies off the sheet and onto the rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

This 5 star cookie from Barefoot Contessa always gets rave reviews. I made it without raisins. Good luck!!!!

Rugelach
Copyright 2001, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, All Rights Reserved

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2-pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup apricot preserves, pureed in a food processor
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash

Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins, and walnuts.

On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges—cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.

How about Ranger cookies? They're basically an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, but with coconut and a special ingredient- cereal! Usually rice krispies or con flakes. You don't really see the bits of cereal, but they add a nice crunch to an otherwise chewy oatmeal cookie. They're pretty addictive...

Oh wow, thanks for all the responses! I don't know, I might have to try some of these this weekend....you know, just as practice!

And, yes, the lawyers here do like their coffee and adult beverages.

try these Carob and Cherry Toffee cookies - I substituted the original chocolate for carob, but you can use chocolate if your crowd prefers... they're always a hit!!!

Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking