Hall of Fame Pigs

What a busy weekend!! I’ve never been more happy to see Monday. There was a baseball game, kitchen creations, bell choir rehearsal, church, and even a flash mob at the Hatch Shell. But the absolute highlight was to see my kid sister inducted into North Reading’s Hornet Hall of Fame. She was an incredible athlete in every sport she played, and opponents knew exactly who she was. On the tennis court, she was the girl you knew never to try to drop-shot, because she could get anywhere on the court in a split second. During a volleyball match, you knew her for her bullet serves, and prayed one of them wouldn’t come your way. On the basketball court, she was the one that was lightening fast and a great passer, so you crossed your fingers hoping you wouldn’t be the one stuck guarding her.

Where’d she get all this talent? Genetics? Sure. Tremendous athleticism honed by
years of ballet, tap and jazz? Absolutely. Birth order? For sure! Come on, with three older siblings, you can bet she got plenty of ‘training’ at home. There was the speed work: “Jen, get me a drink of water? I’ll time you. GO!”  There was intense defensive training during four-square, where big bro’ would whip the ball at her again and again, ultimately forcing her to figure out how to play it, or be an easy out.  And, of course, toughness training: “You’re not gonna cry are you? Nope, don’t do it. Don’t be a baby!” I tell you, it’s not easy being the youngest. Just ask Jen.

On her Big Night, what do you get the girl who already has everything and is the most generous gift-giver there is? I knew it had to be something that totally represented her. Then, I saw a great idea in a cookie magazine I had picked up in the checkout line (an impulse buy, so unlike me, but clearly fate). As soon as I saw recipe, I just knew I was making them, and who I was making them for. Pig cookies! My sister loves pigs. And cookies. (How was I to know she was on some strict low-carb diet?? Ah, well.)

Anyhow, aren’t they adorable? Delicious, too, as many friends at the induction ceremony confirmed. Tender, cakey cookies, vanilla frosting, and chocolate and butterscotch chips. And, me and kiddos had so much fun making them. Really, you can’t go wrong!

Here they are, waving their green-and-gold Hornet colors proudly!

Congratulations to my sister, athlete extraordinaire!! Here, have a cookie 🙂

Hall of Fame Pig Cookies
From Taste of Home
Makes about 4 dozen cookies

COOKIE BATTER:
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup lowfat sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

FROSTING/DECORATING:
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
6 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-4 drops red food coloring
Pink sugar wafer cookies
Large marshmallows, halved
Butterscotch chips and miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degree

1) In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

2) Drop batter by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

3) Frosting: in a large bowl, combine the confectioner’s sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, and food coloring and mix until all are combined and frosting is uniformly pink. Frost each cookie top, all the way to the edges.

4) Cut sugar wafers into triangles; place two on each cookie for ears. With a toothpick, poke two holes in each marshmallow half, and press a butterscotch chip into each hole for nostrils. Place the noses on the cookies, and add miniature chocolate chip eyes.

OINK!