Great Grandma Clara's Cookie Recipes

My great grandma Clara, born in Renville MN in 1896, was a phenomenal cook and baker. She baked a batch of cookies almost daily, and the neighborhood kids called her "the Cookie Lady" and regularly visited to reach into the cookie jar. She was the one great grandparent I got to know- I was 14 when she died. 

Clara and Dallas Cornelison, date unknown

Grandma Clara's recipes live on in our family. Her cinnamon sticks are a must for Christmas.

Grandma Clara's Cinnamon Sticks

1 c shortening (I make them with 1/2 c shortening and 1/2 c butter, softened)

5 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 c sifted flour

1/2 tsp salt (not in original recipe but add it)

cinnamon sugar mixture

Preheat oven to 300. Cream shortening and butter with the sugar. Add salt and vanilla, then add in flour. Dough will be pretty stiff. Roll in "sticks" about the diameter of your thumb and about 2" long. Bake 35 min, or sometimes a bit longer, until lightly browned. Pour some cinnamon sugar on a plate and roll the cookies in it while they're still warm. Makes 3-5 dozen, depending on size of cookies.

Grandma Clara's Lemon Drop Cookies

1/2 c plus 2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tbsp lemon rind
1 1/3 c flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c shortening
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375. Mix the 2 Tbsp sugar and lemon rind together, set aside. Mix flour, soda and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, cream shortening with the 1/2 c sugar, then add egg and vanilla and lemon juice. Add in dry ingredients. Drop teaspoon scoops on creased cookie sheets, press flat to 1/3 inch with the bottom of a sugared glass. Sprinkle with the lemon-sugar mixture. Bake 13-15 minutes until golden.

Grandma Clara's Ginger Cookies

These are soft and delicious

3/4 c lard or shortening
3/4 c brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 c molasses
3 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger

Preheat oven to 375. Cream shortening with sugar, gradually add in egg and molasses continuing to beat. Combine then add in dry ingredients, mix well. Chill dough well before baking. Form dough into balls about 1" in diameter and roll in sugar then place 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-15 min.

Grandma Clara's Lemon Bars

1 c flour
1/4 c powdered sugar
1/2 c butter
Mix these like a pie crust and pat into a 9"X9" pan. Bake at 325 about 25 min

1 c sugar
2 eggs
4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c shredded coconut

Mix these ingredients and pour over baked crust, then bake 25 min at 325. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, or spread with this frosting:

1 c powdered sugar
1/4 c softened butter
1-2 Tbsp lemon juice