The True Cookies
A List from the Fella’s Father
Almost immediately after posting last Friday’s post, which made a quick reference to the fella’s father’s list of ”true cookies” I began to get comments requesting this list of true cookies. Right on cue I got a moderately irate message from the fella’s father demanding I print a list of the true cookies in an attempt to keep any holiday mayhem at bay. A world without knowledge of the true cookies is a world on the brink of disaster apparently.
So … I have for you right now, at this very moment, the much anticipated “list” of true cookies. If you aren’t familiar with “the lists of true things”, please refer to the list of true pies from July 7th, 2011. The following is a verbatim copy of the message sent to me by the fella’s father. It has not been altered or edited in any way. All opinions expressed therein are those of the originator of the content.
“There are four true cookies and, from Hallowe’en until New Year’s, one honourary true cookie. All other cookies are faux, jumped-up pretend confections not worthy of the name cookie.
The List:
#1. A two-piece white sugar cookie with a hole in the top so you can see the red filling. Filling can be raspberry jam from the E.D. Smith Co. of Winona, Ontario OR Smuckers crabapple jelly. Icing sugar on top allowed but not mandatory.
#2. Chocolate chip. Must be real chocolate.
#3. Peanut butter: with fork marks on top
#4. Oatmeal raisin.
Honourary: Ginger bread people, must be anatomically correct.
Shortbreads are pretentious, look-at-me-I’m-a-shortbread, for snooty people. Rumballs are NOT true cookies. They’re not even cookies. They are lumps of dough infused with cheap liquor.
At Christmas you may feel an urge to make Christmas cookies in the shape of stars, bells and evergreen trees. Resist that urge.
The Nanaimo bar is a worthy confection but IT IS NOT A COOKIE. It is one of the true squares.
Would you build your own car? No. It’s too complicated. For the same reason do NOT attempt to bake anything with marshmallow and coconut and pass the result off as cookies. Let Christies do it. They have factories for that sort of thing.”
And there you have it. The reason behind why the fella is the way he is. And proof the apple pie doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Kate
TeeHee this is delightfully hilarious, and to be quite honest I tend to agree with the Fella’s Father — especially on the #1 cookie!
Nicole
may I just add that no form of Whoopie Pie is a cookie and grocery stores/cook books really need to stop calling them so.
Jamieson
I am going to score myself a 2.5 correct out of 4+1. Yay me!
Claudine
I am in complete agreement with the four True Cookies selection. I do insist that my own Black Cat Jam raspberry and raspberry peach are acceptable as filling in cookie number 1.
Does he have any guidelines as to the inclusion of nuts in True Cookie number 2?
And how anatomically correct do Gingerbread People cookies have to be?
I love the True lists. Thanks Karen. Please pass on thanks, as I know I can get through the holidays without faux cookies hanging over my head.
Karen
Claudine – I’ll let the fella’s father reply for himself, but I can tell you right here and now NO nuts would be allowed in a Chocolate Chip cookie. That would make it a chocolate chip/nut cookie which is NOT a true cookie, but rather a churched up, pretentious impostor of a classic that shouldn’t be tampered with. The only nuts allowed are the peanuts found in peanut butter cookies. At least that’s what I think he’ll say. ~ karen
Nicole2
And technically, peanuts are not nuts, they are from the lentil family. So, no nuts. And I agree. Some people (namely my mother-in-law) insist on putting nuts in everything. Everything. And she doesn’t believe in anything chocolate either. I must have mentioned that I loved chocolate and hated nuts early on in our relationship. She has issues. What can I say. Thank you for letting me vent. What were we talking about? Ah yes, true cookies.
itchbay
So I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t like my gang’s Christmas cookies. Every year a dear friend has a Dipsomaniac’s Holiday Cookie Party, where she bakes about 5 dozen sugar cookies in traditional Christmas shapes, which my team promptly cuts and decorates in very non-traditional themes. Last year, we even had a gingerbread house that turned into the abandoned house where all the zombie Santas hung out during the daytime.
Nicole2
Lol, love it. This reminds me of my friend, who goes to a marzipan party every year around Christmas. They’re supposed to make holiday shapes, but as you can imagine, they always turn into something obscene…
Marti
Wow, the commenter ahead of me has the BEST username ever, doesn’t she? WOW.
This was hilarious. You have all kinds of fun at his family stuff and yours, it’s clear.
Karen
LOL. I didn’t even notice it until you pointed it out. Yup. Good username. And yes. Gatherings, if not refined, are always fun. ~ karen
Caro
But what are the true squares?
And is there such a thing as true cakes?
I need the answers!
Alicia
I forsee a whole segment lol!
Ruth
Me too! I need to know what the true squares are… Pronto! (with a faux Italian accent) ;)
Laura
I was wondering the same thing…must know more of true squares!
Kate
I love the fella’s father for his nod to anatomically correct gingerbread men. I used to go to London a lot on business, and at one high falutin’ sweetshop I patronized, it being near my hotel, I found one, dreadful December day when I dropped by said establishment, that they were selling ARMLESS gingerbread men.
What, in all that’s holy, was that about? What’s wrong with those London bakers?? You just gotta be concerned about a nation that would treat gingerbread men like that.
Jeez, this brings back SUCH bad memories. I was totally shaken, gingerbread, and gingerbread men lover that I am. That happened 15 years ago, and the memory of it still gives me the heebie jeebies.
Rainbowcreek
Oh Caro, now I am on edge waiting for when the “true cakes” will be announced. Do you think Coconut will make the cut with white, yellow and chocolate? Now I believe I am not a true cookie person at all. My favorite cookie is a simple soft frosted sugar cookie, no fruity jelly in there please. I dislike raisins and prefer oatmeal chocolate chip. I plant a Hershey’s Kiss in the center of my peanut butter blossoms. I do love the Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookie recipe and make it straight up most times but I only eat them when I add pecans. Gingersnap cookies are good for making cheesecake crusts, my Grandma’s Big Soft Ginger cookies with a single cinnamon imperial in the center are the only acceptable ginger cookies for the holidays here.
Leslie
Why are all things “true” baked goods?
Karen
Leslie – You make an excellent point. But if memory serves me correctly … there is also a list of “true soups”. Although you’re right. Some of them might be baked. ~ karen!
Bev
for once, the father of the fellow and I agree
Cowlady/Angela
That’s a pretty good list! I love #1′s – I think they are called linzer tortes or something like that. All I know is they are yummy!
Now – here’s the 3 ingredient World’s Easiest Peanut Butter Cookie recipe:
1 c peanut butter – creamy or chunky
1 c sugar
1 egg
Mix together. You can flatten with a fork (fella’s father should approve!).
Bake at 350f for 10-12 minutes until they start to brown.
DO NOT REMOVE FROM COOKIE SHEET TILL COOL!
Since there isn’t any flour, warm cookies will crumble so wait for them to cool.
This makes about 20 cookies, depending on how large you make them.
You can also experiment – add chocolate or butterscotch chips, nuts, vanilla. Be creative!
All I ask from anyone who tries this recipe is to say a prayer. This recipe was in a fundraiser cookbook for a nurse who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her co workers came up with the cookbook to help her with bills. Sadly, the nurse did not make it. I always say a prayer for her when I make this & hope she’s looking down, smiling.
Enjoy!
Janet
Hi Karen,
But it is the recipes we need to make these true cookies, Every peanut butter cookie recipe I have tried is just not like my grandma’s. Of course she never used a recipe.
Do you have an amazing peanut butter cookie recipe?
Have a fun day
Janet
Brenda
Yikes..my Aunties and my Mom would be having a go with him..scotch cookies are a standard with them at Christmas….can’t wait to tell them the true list just to get the gals all stirred up !
my honest answer
Well, to us British there is only one true cookie: chocolate chip. Everything else is a biscuit. So put that in your pipe and smoke it, fella’s father.
BTLover2
Are we sure that this is the fella’s dad and not his brother?? You know that sort of thing happens… “Let’s tell the kid his mom is his sister and we’ll raise him as our son.” Anyway, I’m glad my wagon has been straightened. I had a whole list of “cookies” that were apparently masquerading as cookies.
Susan
Ha! Our favourites in the store were exactly the same as Daddy’s! The first one being the best Belgian you’ve ever tasted! But he obviously has never tasted my ginger…sofas! They are snappy but soft! The best! Keep true! Looking forward to more!
Jazzy
Thanks for cracking me up over my morning coffee every day ;-)
Karen
:) Thanks Jazzy. That’s my job. ~ karen
Dana Niemeier
The Fella’s Dad is a Rip!! Is he available for parties and/or holidays in Florida?
marilyn
i am so with him on the rumballs. ugh , ugh and ugh! even the name is ugh! who wants to eat a cookie with balls in the name? gross!
latenac
It’s nice that he agrees with the Doctor from Doctor Who he seems to like his jammy dodgers as well. I agree with the whole list except I love shortbread. I love crunchy, surgary, buttery cookies. I’m surprised he didn’t have an opinion about the texture of chocolate chip cookies ie soft vs. crunchy but maybe that’s an American thing.
Leann
I would surmise by your photos that you are young enough to be my daughter (either that, or I want the recipe of the muck you smear on your face every night to iron out the wrinkles and seduce Fella.) That would make Fella’s Father MY age. Well, I can’t argue with the list, but the filling? I beg to differ – No, I DEMAND to differ!! It’s raisin filling… anyone with a sense of cookie pride and tradition would KNOW that! Men…
Laura
I’m not sure about the Empire cookie over shortbread, but I’ll agree on all the others & the nut clause.
redz
While I tend to agree (to a point) with the Fella’s Father’s list, my question is: crunchy or soft? Personally I think soft chocolate chip cookies are better than crunchy (actually *gooey* is a better term!).
Also, for years my mom has made those fabulous peanut butter Kiss cookies–peanut butter (soft, mind you)–with no fork marks, but with a big Hershey’s kiss smack dab in the middle.
Do those count? Or are they considered some type of foo-foo, cross-pollinated, wannabe cookie?
p.s. i also agree with FF that chocolate chip cookies should *never* contain nuts!
Elise
True squares?! I see another list coming…
Christina
Agree with Caro. What are the true squares and cakes? I’m going to guess that cupcakes are not true cakes. Does the ‘list of true things’ only apply to baked goods? What about cocktails and men?
Maybe the fella’s father needs his own blog.
Ginny
“Maybe the fella’s father needs his own blog.” I think that is an fantastic idea! Or maybe give him a weekly bit on your site.
Kristen@PrettySweet
This is huh-larious!! I love his lists! Especially the last paragraph…”Would you build your own car?”
You may need to start a series on all of his lists. They’re awesome.
Amy
The fella’s father is absolutely correct – rumballs aren’t cookies. They don’t even count as lumps of dough (I was gonna say balls but that doesn’t sound quite right). As a born and raised girl from Kentucky the only true and correct version are, of course, BOURBON balls and they must be made with a true Kentucky bourbon as well – no whiskey allowed.
Melissa
Your fella’s dad and my father-in-law would be fast friends! Love the moratorium on all other cookie imposters — it certainly makes life easier, eh? LOL
David Scrimshaw
And let’s not forget the 4 true soups!
Karen
Yes David … there ARE 4 true soups. ~ karen
Jen
The mind boggles at anatomically correct gingerbread people. Are gingerbread fig leaves an acceptable accessory?
Jane
The F’sF missed molasses. Was that forgetfulness on his part or a mighty great error in judgement? {casting doubt on his other ‘true’ lists}
Jane
Revision.. I see he had gingerbread men as an honorary once a year substitute, but, NO WAY!
Bobbi
ok…did i miss the 4 soups….panic setting in……
Tricia Rose
I am so sad – shortbread is the quintessential Scottish biscuit = cookie for New Year/Hogmany! Cooked with a little rice flour my mum says, to give bite.
Lisa
I kind of agree, but I think the basic sugar cookie should be #1, and the jelly filled kind is kind of a tarted up version.
:-)
Gloria
Amen brother!!!!
The Fella's Dad
Hershey kisses in a true cookie? NO
Soft or crunchy? Crunchy. Duh!
Cute names for cookies like jammy dodgers, snickerdoodles and cranberry hootycreeks? Just kill me now!
I may go into a sulk and keep the list of true squares to myself.
Chau
Please don’t stop, sir. I’m looking forward to hearing all of your “Four True XXXX List”.
Jonalynn
Love it, but I too wonder about the sugar/butter cookie. How can that not be a “true cookie”? It’s the basic dough of all the others.
BGrigg
Is this guy missing a finger on his counting hand, by any chance? What’s with him and the number 4, anyway? ;)
He’s missed ginger-molasses, and my Scots heritage is outraged at having shortbread called pretentious. It’s butter and flour, fer cryin’ out loud! Getting a white chocolate, macadamia, granola cookie and a cup of no whip soy latte is pretentious. Shortbread is made by grandmothers who smell like cinnamon, and means love in any language.
I await his list of True Squares with trepidation. That is, if he comes out of his sulk. :D
Jen
I haven’t chimed in to tell you how great the reports from the Fella and the Fella’s father are. Excellent, sometimes-embarrassing-to-read-in-public because-you-snort, posts.
Karen
Thanks Jen! I’d say “I’ll pass it on”, but they both read every post I write and every comment that goes along with those posts. I suspect it’s in the hopes of seeing a mention of themselves. ~ karen
Elen
Love the true cookie list by The Fella’s Dad. Maybe we could call the others Cookie Knockoffs. That seems right.
Every time we pass through Winona, we say Winoooonaaa. It’s a thing. You can smell the jam oozing out of E.D. Smith!
Nancy
Yes Karen..we now have greater insight as to how the fella got the way he is..you must have nerves of steel my dear..LOL
Ellen
I LOVE the fella’s father…… I know I worked with his clones… I disagree on #1, tho it is wonderful, & how can he leave out ginger snaps & shortbread?? Both have histories way older than he is!
Anytime you’re too sick or tired to write, get the F’s F to write your blog…. he has a cult following now!!
xxxooo
Elen
I’m sorry. That would have to be The True Cookie Knockoffs. Bwahaaha.
Shauna
I’m no baker, and I certainly don’t want to get the Fella’s Father in a rumple, but I’m pretty sure that the number 1 cookie (which is my favorite btw) is quite often made as a shortbread/jam cookie. The components of a shortbread/jam cookie are similar to a sugar/jam cookie and I would venture to bet he couldn’t taste the difference. Although the shortbread ones usually have more butter and thus are better.
Here are some more differences: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5809180_difference-between-shortbread-sugar-cookies.html
Okay, let me have it – I’m ducked and covered;)
weirdrockstar
Hello you Fanciful One!
It was just few days and moments ago that I found your blog ( sads that it took me so long in life ) and now that I´ve read thorugh every. Single. Post ( I actually have a life, well almost, but I have a mental PhD in procrastination ) I must tell that you made me stay up for the majority of the night, messing with my bookshelves. It was invigorating, in the loss of other stuffs invigorationg that would be preferable in the midst of darkest hours. As a result, I have a plan for my foyer readily, I now only must wait for the demolition to stop and the animals to repaire what they´ve torn.
Being allergic to almost anything I can not comment on the topic of True Cookies. But I can comment that I adore both your Fella and his Father person. They sound highly entertaining.
Oh, and I absolutely needed to link your blog and home featured on the glossy magazine, to my blog. Because good deeds are meant for paying forward. Such as treetrunk tables and fluffy kitties and frozen youghurt tampons. Thogh I still shiver at the notion of ” frozen “… that just sounds so beastly and… cold.
Karen
Well thanks Weirdo! ;) I can’t believe you read all the posts. That’s a LOT of posts. Good job. You continue to read, and I’ll continue to write. It’s a pretty good relationship already, I’d say. ~ karen
weirdrockstar
Roger that!
Another Karen
I had to search out the Nanaimo bar. Wow — they sound incredibly rich, holiday perfect, and I’m going to be making this delightful *square* treat!
And I love the idea of anatomically correct Gingerbread cookies. I just hope Santa won’t be offended…
Amy in StL
I have to mostly agree with this one. Although, like Lisa, I think that a sugar cookie is a true cookie and the ones with a jam window are simply a tarted up version of that cookie.
coyote
Ma’am, my Great Aunt Mary Coyote would have a word (or six) to interject, regarding the absence of her trademark ginger snaps from that allegedly complete list of alleged true cookies…
mimiindublin
Epic!
This has the makings of a wonderful series, maybe even some movies!!
Say “ta” to The Fella’s Father!
LARPkitten
I refuse to accept as truth any cookie list that does not include the heavenly angel of all cookies: the snickerdoodle. Fie, I say.
Lindey R.
Is it possible he has never had a snickerdoodle? Surly, no one who has tried one would leave it off the list of true cookies.
Bee-Naz
Am I the only one who’s now curious to see Pop’s list of the “true squares”? I mean, if nanaimo bar is on it then it must be worth posting, right?
Lindey R.
Agreed. I also would like to see the list of true squares.
Chelle (@Asheyna)
Third-ed :P
Scouty
Yup, need the list of the squares too, before I start baking!
Shell
Yeah,– list of true squares, please. This could be like, a SERIES. Are there, for instance, True Casseroles? True Muffins?
Alanna
Are those home baked cookies in that jar because they look like the kind that come from a package. The shape is too perfect.
Karen
Alanna – If I remember correctly those are Chips Ahoy! ~ karen
Kim from 3 peanuts
So funny:)
Dana
Karen, thanks for your fella’s father’s true cookie gospel. Keep the advice coming because I’m all prepared (see http://thecinderblocks.com/2011/11/16/brilliance-with-a-twist-orreinterpreting-a-tea-towel-apron/).
Karen
Hah! The invention of the pillow case apron! ~ k
Dana
Well, it had to be invented :)
Liz
Hmmm, I didn’t see ginger snaps on that list.
Karen
Liz – I’m not arguing with him. You can feel free to do so if you like. :) ~ karen
Fiona
Yes, chewy ginger cookies rolled in granulated sugar HAVE to be a true cookie.
maria
Oh no – I have to agree with fella’s father!
The 4 on his list are the ones that my mom made us every year for the Christmas season, right down to the peanut butter cookies HAVE TO HAVE FORK MARKS, both horizontal and vertical — kinda scary isn’t it!!
Ginny
Your fella’s father sounds like an interesting man. And I mean that in the best way possible. ; ) Doesn’t mean I agree with him. But I would love to have a cup of coffee with him and talk about things. I’m sure that would be an interesting conversation!
Thera
Ooooh I want a post on True Squares as well! I think Rice Krispies Squares is one of them!
As for the cookies, I have to agree :)
Zom G
I don’t get much time to enjoy the internet much anymore, but I am oh so glad I stopped in here today. The true and righteous gospel of cookies and pies and (soon to be?) squares? Just laugh out loud, make your family look at you like you’ve gone nuts, hilarious. :)
Sandra
I didn’t know about the true cookies. Gingersnaps, home-made, are more of a true cookie than them fey sugar cookies with jam.
Karen
Oh my God. Wait’ll he hears you said that. You’re in so much troubleeeee. ~ k
Nan Tovar
As always, gotta love the fella’s father! I also vote for a list of the “true squares”
Caroline
I would really like to see these anatomically correct gingerbread people.
Evalyn
I fall on the snickerdoodle and molasses/ginger side of the fence. Sugar cookies with jam? Sorry, no. That’s a made-up cookie.
Chips Ahoy, however, are not even food.
Heather
I was so happy to see my favorite Oatmeal Raisin cookie made the list and I agree that TRUE Peanut Butter cookies MUST have fork marks. Anxiously awaiting true squares…
evilbunnie
I would like to see a recipe for Cranberry Hootycreeks. ASAP, please, I have cookie heresy to commit!
evilbunnie
Also, after pondering the possibilities of “anatomically correct” gingerbread, I see the wisdom of the “no-nuts” rule.
Leslie Zuroski
Definitely wish everyone who makes peanut butter cookies would be sure to add the traditional fork marks on the top, my husband is deathly allergic to peanuts.