cover image Blue Ribbon Cookies

Blue Ribbon Cookies

Maria Robbins. St. Martin's Press, $11.95 (134pp) ISBN 978-0-312-01738-5

Even children will be able to prepare most of these 100 quick and easy recipes culled from the prizewinning entries of 500 regional, state and county fairs. Robbins ( Blue-Ribbon Pies , etc.) gives clear and succinct directions, despite an occasional false steer (follow her instructions to cool a hot cookie sheet by running it under cold water, and you may warp it). Classic treats such as oatmeal, molasses, peanut-butter, chocolate-chip and sugar cookies each rate several recipes, although it is not always evident from the ingredients what distinguishes one cookie from another of the same type. A generous assortment of cookies are made with fruit, nuts or vegetables. More daring bakers will be tempted to try potato-chip cookies, ``Forgotten'' cookies (``Put these in the oven, turn it off, and forget them''), chocolate-chip cookies made with instant-pudding mix and two ``no-bake'' cookies. Those mindful of budgets will appreciate the general preference for economical ingredients. The recipes tend, however, toward a high proportion of sugar and other sweetened ingredients. (August)