Mr. Pillsbury Birthday and A Great Cookie Recipe

 

 

 

Charles Alfred Pillsbury was born on December 3rd 1842. During his life he was a U.S. flour industrialist, co-founder and namesake of Pillsbury Company and member of the Minnesota State Senate. Pillsbury started working at his uncles flour miss and before long was part owner of it as well. He changed practices that made milling more productive. Pillsbury himself created the brand "Pillsbury's Best" to put claim to the finest flour in the world. Pillsbury used gauged steel rolls to mil grain into flour The changes of milling also led to farming choices and changes as well.

 

 

 

In 1872 Mr. Pillsbury would expand the business with his father and uncle along side. Charles A. Pillsbury & Co. entered upon a career of remarkable enterprise. Pillsbury was also a fair man as he introduced a system of company profit sharing and paying as much as $25,000 per year in bonuses to workers depending on the company's success. No strikes ever interrupted Pillsbury business.

 

 

To wish happy birthday to Mr. Pillsbury and also salute the great company I selected one of their great recipes to share with you.

 

 

Stained Glass Cookies

recipe source here

 

 

4 cups Pillsbury BEST™ All Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for rolling

1 large egg

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Individually wrapped fruit-flavored hard candies in various colors (about 1 per cookie), unwrapped and crushed

COMBINE flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Beat sweetened condensed milk and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Beat in 1 cup powdered sugar, egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture gradually. Beat on low speed until combined. Divide dough into fourths. Wrap each with plastic wrap. Chill 2 hours.

HEAT oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle counter surface with powdered sugar. Roll out one portion of dough at a time to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters. Cut out holes for "stained glass" effect in each cookie with small cookie cutters. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Fill holes with crushed hard candies in various colors. Chill and reroll dough as needed.

BAKE 6 to 8 minutes or until candy has melted. Cool completely. Remove carefully from foil or parchment paper.