Recipe Highlight: Genevieve Nornberg

You've probably heard the old adage "the kitchen is the heart of the home" so it should come as no surprise why our communal areas are open concept. There is something to be said for gathering together near 'the heart' of the home, where meals and  memories are made.

Our residents agree that CWSL has some of the area's finest cooks preparing their meals and they should know! Over the course of their lifetime, they prepared countless meals for their family and friends. As you might expect, when they get together and begin sharing their holiday traditions and every day meal favorites, before you know it recipes are exchanged. And what better venue for sharing those recipes than our CWSL blog!

We're excited to bring our first Recipe Highlight post, featuring our recipe queen, Genevieve Nornberg. With so many recipes to choose from it was quite the dilemma to choose just one but we finally settled on Genevieve's Cherry Wink cookies.

These wonderful little cookies were first featured on the back of Kellogg's Corn Flakes. According to an article published in the Bangor Daily News, the cookies have a Wisconsin connection as they were the invention of Junior First Prize Winner Ruth Derousseau of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. There were many variations of this wonderful little cookie but here at Central Wisconsin Senior Living - we think Genevieve's version is the best!

Cherry Winks

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2-1/4 cup flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup dates, chopped

1/3 cup Maraschino cherries, chopped

2-1/2 cup crushed cornflakes

20 Maraschino cherries, halved

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease baking sheets.

2. Cream shortening with sugar. Blend in the eggs, milk & vanilla.

3. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture & mix well. Stir in the walnuts, dates, and 1/3 cup chopped cherries.

4. Shape teaspoonful sized chunks of dough into balls. Roll in the crushed cornflakes. Place balls on cookie sheet and top with 1/2 Maraschino cherry.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.