Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cookie Book

Johnny Carson may be off the air, and Hope and Crosby can never make another Road movie, but Betty Crocker and her cookies live on in this comforting collection of 175 familiar lunchbox, wedding and holiday recipes. In this Crocker roster of drop, rolled, molded, and specialty cookies, there are some new additions: ``Yogurt Stack Cookies'' and ``Whole Wheat Meltaways'' make a nod to the '80s, and ``Esther's Bracelets'' and hammantaschen to Jewish holidays. But most of the recipes hark back to an earlier, possibly mythic, era, when home-baked cookies were served in front of the Philco with Ovaltine or Postum. Yet, in the best Betty Crocker tradition, these recipes are not dated. The original recipes for chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, holiday spritz and mocha brownies need no improvement. They are standards, calling for few ingredients and made from simple, easy-to-follow recipes. A useful glossary, ``All About Cookies,'' details equipment, ingredients and techniques like shaping, storing, and mailing. For a baker who wants an unadorned, fail-safe assortment of cookie recipes, this one is hard to beat. (Aug.)