SPRINGTIME SODA RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Stir together. Measure the buttermilk and milk in a measuring cup and add the egg. Stir together with a fork. Add the baking soda and stir. Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a fork until combined.  In a small bowl, melt 1/4 shortening. Slowly add melted shortening to the batter, stirring until just combined. In an iron skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons shortening over medium heat. Pour the batter into the hot skillet. Spread to even out the surface. (Batter should sizzle.) Cook on stovetop for 1 minute, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Edges should be crispy!

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine 1 cup butter, sugar and brown sugar in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat until well mixed. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Stir in carrots and pecans.
• Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake 11-13 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool completely.
• Combine powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter, cream cheese and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in bowl; beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Reserve 1/2 cup frosting.
• Frost each cooled cookie with 2 teaspoons frosting. Divide reserved frosting in half. Tint one half green and one half orange. Spoon each tinted frosting into resealable plastic food bags; snip off corner of bags. Make carrot design on top of each cookie, if desired.