Animal Crackers: Now More Awesome

I found the inspiration for this recipe on Weelicious.com.  Among their many tasty recipes and beautiful pictures, I found a recipe for Animal Crackers that I just had to try!  My son loves anything crunchy, and has loved animal crackers in the past--at least until I stopped buying them due to the HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup), preservatives, and dyes that were found in many of the packages.  I refused to buy the expensive organic versions due to the price.  I knew that what I wanted was waiting for me in my kitchen.

The following recipe gives the best of both worlds.  The addition of almond extract gives the crackers a more traditional animal cracker taste, but the ground oats make it a complex enough texture that even picky adults will enjoy it.  My husband says that it tastes kind of like those butter cookies that you can get in the tins at Christmastime, and I think they taste a bit like Girl Scout shortbread cookies.  My son just eats them.  I hope you and your family enjoys them as much as we did!

Animal Crackers
Prep Time:  30 minutes
Cook Time:  12-15 minutes, depending on size
Total Time:  Max 45

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, chilled and cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract*
1/2 teaspoon almond extract*
1 large egg

Instructions
Pre-heat your oven to 350 F.  
1.  Place the flour, oats, baking powder, salt, and sugar in your food processor and pulse to combine.
2.  Add the butter and pulse to combine (it will look like cornmeal when combined).
3.  Add the extracts and egg.  Turn food processor on until the dough forms into a ball.
4.  Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut out animal shapes.  (Hint: if you want to have many different shapes, do them in batches so that your cooking time can be appropriate for each shape.  Don't try to bake small cookies with your larger sized cookies).
5.  Place the cut-outs on parchment-paper lined baking sheets.
6.  Depending on the size, start checking the cookies at 10-12 minutes.  You'll want to see a light, golden brown along the edges of the cookies, and the bottom will be a nice, uniform golden brown.
7.  Cool and serve.  Enjoy!

*Feel free to experiment with the extracts.  Don't go above a total of 1 teaspoon for the extracts, though, or else the flavor will overwhelm the cookies.  I would suggest lemon as an alternative to the almond.  

Lemongrass: My New Favorite Scent!

Mr. Hats and I picked up some Lemongrass essential oil the other day at Hunger Mountain Co-Op.  I was originally going to get one of my old standbys (lavender), but after smelling the lemongrass at the suggestion of Mr. Hats, I was convinced.  Lemongrass would provide a bright, sweet, clean smell to our house.  Here's a few suggestions for its practical use around your house:

• Add 10 or so drops to the All Purpose Cleaner.  This doesn't diminish the cleaner's ability to clean glass, and leaves behind just a hint of aroma.  

• Add 10-12 drops to a few cups of baking soda and combine by shaking in a large glass jar with a screw-top (or a large yogurt container or a large Tupperware or...you get the idea).  I shook it over my furniture and carpets and vacuumed.  My whole apartment smelled so good!

• Add a bunch of drops to a small container of baking soda and place it next to your litter box, teenager's room, trash can, or any other smelly thing.  

Happy Spring Cleaning!

The Best All Purpose Spray Cleaner

I've been experimenting with all-purpose cleaners lately.  I'm pleased to tell you that I've come up with a very  inexpensive, very effective, all purpose cleaner!  You will need:

• a re-purposed spray bottle
• 2 tablespoons of Borax
• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
• a couple drops of essential oil (optional)

1. Put your 2 tablespoons of Borax into a measuring cup with a spout.  
2. Add the vinegar.
3. Fill the measuring cup with hot water.  
4. Pour into the spray bottle. 
5. Fill the spray bottle the remainder of the way with hot water.
6. Add the essential oil (if you want to use it).  
7. Shake.
8. Use!

This cleaner works well, and is truly all-purpose.  It's safe on wood, on countertops, and great for the bathroom.  It works well on pet messes (and on toddler messes, too)!  

I always feel very proud and thrifty when I make my own cleaner instead of adding it to the grocery list.  I am amazed at how much commercial cleaners cost--especially when they aren't any more effective (and are usually quite toxic) than my homemade counterparts.  

I hope that you enjoy this recipe!  Let me know how it works for you and your family!