Thursday Thirteen - 21 - Thirteen Favorite Cookies

I've been missing Ontario lately, which made me think of the Empire cookies I used to love when I was there. They seemed to only be available in the summer, and they weren't easy to find. The first time I tried them was on a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Such a delectable discovery. For today's Thursday Thirteen, here are some of my favorite cookies.













1 - Empire Cookies The best thing about them is the tart raspberry filling contrasting with the sweet icing.













2 - Cowboy Cookies My old boyfriend's mom used to load these up with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, raisins, chopped walnuts and coconut. Mmm! President's Choice in Canada has an All-in-One cookie that comes fairly close.







3 - Hermit Cookies I buy the Superstore Bakery hermit cookies a lot. Yummy! The spicy/raisin combo is the draw with hermit cookies.





4 - Traditional Scottish Shortbread Cookies For some reason I always prefer shortbread when it's in petticoats instead of the thicker fingers. But I'll never say no to shortbread, no matter what shape it is.










5 - No-Bake Coconut Macaroons
In junior high we made these in Home Ec class, and I was instantly smitten. Chocolate and coconut are two things I just can't resist.






6 - Christmas Sugar Cookies My mom has always made sugar cookies at Christmas, and when we were kids she turned decorating them into a party. She used to make tons so that whoever came to the party could take home their icing masterpieces. We still try to do our Cookie Decorating Party if we can.








7 - Jam-Filled Cookies My best friend's mom used to make these. I always thought they were terribly exotic!














8 - Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies When it comes to chocolate chip, I want the chunkiest chocolate that a cookie can stand.






9 - Belgian Cookies in Tins I love to collect tins, especially antique ones, so I have a weakness for the European butter cookies that come in tins. Especially the ones dipped in chocolate.








10 - Gingersnaps

When money was extreeemly tight one Christmas while I was at film school, I stayed up late on Dec. 23rd baking gingersnaps and peanut butter cookies for my husband and my sister so I'd have something to put in their stockings.






11 - Peanut Butter Cookies Gram used to bake these a lot when my husband and I lived upstairs at her place in Yarmouth. She was still in her 80's and baked and cooked all day while I was at work at A Buck or Two. I never said no to the peanut butter cookies!








12 - Oatmeal Raisin Cookies I love oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, as well. Even plain old oatmeal cookies will do in a pinch. I love the chewiness of oatmeal cookies.










13 - Peek Freans Fruit Cremes

Often with potato chips or peanuts, eating one leads to another and then another. Peek Frean Fruit Cremes are that way for me. If I eat one, I eat half a bag!

Ok, now I'm hungry for cookies...