A total of 288 4th and 5th Graders from Ashville, Moody, Odenville, Pell City, Springville, and Steele competed recently for the title of 4-H Cookie Champion. 

“We appreciate all the 4-H’ers who participated and would like to congratulate our winners—Mary Katherine Bates, a 4th grader at Moody Middle School and Brayden Gann, a 5th grader at Williams Intermediate School!” said Becky Staples, 4-H Agent Assistant. 

Here are their winning recipes:

2018 4th Grade Cookie Champion for St. Clair County:

Mary Katherine Bates, 4th Grader at Moody Middle School

Winning Recipe: Campfire Cookies

Ingredients:

1 Cup of unsalted sweet cream butter (softened to room temperature)

¾ Cup granulated sugar

¾ Cup light brown sugar, Packed

2 Large Eggs

½ Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

2 1/3 Cups All- Purpose Flour

1 ¼ Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

2 Teaspoons Cornstarch

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

½ Teaspoon of Baking Soda

½ Teaspoon of Salt

2 Cups of Mini- Marshmallows (we used Kraft Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits Vanilla Marshmallows – 3oz)

1 Cup Chocolate Chips

5 oz. Milk Chocolate Bars broken into pieces

Directions:

·       Cream together butter & both sugars with blender on medium speed until light & fluffy.

·       Add eggs, one at a time, & then add vanilla, stirring until combined.

·       In a separate bowl, combine flour, graham cracker crumbs, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, & salt.

·       Gradually, add flour mixture to butter mixture- pausing periodically to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

·       Stir in mini-marshmallows & milk chocolate pieces.

·       Preheat over to 375 degrees & line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

·       Portion cookies into 1 ½ inch balls. If desired, press additional pieces of chocolate bar or marshmallows on top of dough.

·       Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

·       Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely.

2018 5th Grade Cookie Champion for St. Clair County:

Brayden Gann, 5th Grader at Williams Intermediate School

Winning Recipe: Cowboy Cookies

Ingredients:

3 Cups of Plain Flour

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 ½ Cups Butter, at room temperature

1 ½ Cups Sugar

1 ½ Cups Brown Sugar

3 Eggs

1 Tablespoon of Vanilla

3 Cups of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

3 Cups of Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats

2 Cups of Sweetened Coconuts Flakes

Directions:

·       Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees.

·       In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Fold in the sugar & brown sugar. Continue to beat for another 2 minutes.

·       Add the eggs one at a time.

·       Mix in Vanilla.

·       In a second bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda,    cinnamon, & salt. Set aside.

·       Stir in the flour mixture into the first bowl, blending until just combined.

·       Add the chips, oats, coconut & stir- mix well.

·       Drop rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet, making sure to allow plenty of room between cookies.

·       Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set & the cookies are golden brown.

·       Allow cookies to cool on pan for 1-2 minutes before placing on a cooling rack.