I'm a little worried that we've been neglecting a key ingredient in this blog ... the actual dancing. So I'm going to add a "move" for every post (or as long as it lasts). If you've followed my "Shake It" page (if you haven't then go here now ... Shake It!) you have already mastered the Moonwalk, the Dougie, and the Robot at least to the point where you think you look good because really that's all that matters. Now for something new - The Charleston.
The Charleston was named after Charleston, South Carolina (weird how that worked out) and became popular in the 1920's. There are many versions of the dance and once you can recognize it, you'll see the steps in many music videos and shows - I think even Lady Gaga uses a few steps in her live performances of "Just Dance". It's kind of like the dancing bunny ... it'll work with almost every tune.
Links to more YouTube videos ...
Links to more YouTube videos ...
The Beats!
So with that, I've put together a playlist of dance songs. I don't care if you like the lyrics, that's not the point. You're supposed to be practicing your moves ... which is why I even lowered myself to include Like a G6. The song is a little better now that I know it's not Ke$sha (which I just assumed for a really long time) ... sippin' what in my ride?
The Treats!
Snickerdoodles ... Seriously, who names a cookie Snickerdoodle? I didn't try one until about five years ago just because the name annoyed me. Something similar to my resistance to Scotcheroos. I did some research on Wikipedia (because that's pretty much my unreliable source for everything) which stated that "Snickerdoodle is German in origin, and that the name is a corruption of the German word Schneckennudeln (literally "snail noodles"), a type of pastry." Whaaaaaat?! Anyway, once I got over my distaste for the name Snickerdoodle I realized I was a fan of the cookie, so here they are. If I ever open a bakery I think I will just serve them as Snail Noodles ... or Schneckennudeln. When you say it you have to extend your neck and bulge your eyes while doing the Charleston. Daaaaang.
Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles
(makes 1 1/2 dozen) 
What you'll need ...
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp
1 1/2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 35o degrees. Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Put butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar in the bowl of a mixer and mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about three minutes (I don't think I ever actually let it go that long, but now's a great time to bust a move or two). Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture.
Stir together cinnamon and remaining 2 Tablespoons of sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into twenty (or so) 1 3/4-inch balls - but seriously, who measures their balls of dough ... I prefer to use one of my favorite kitchen accessories - Norpro Stainless Steel Scoops
(pictured at left and linked to Amazon offers). It's a really fast way to cheat and get uniform sizes for your cookies.
Roll in cinnamon sugar. Space three inches apart on greased baking sheets. I like to press a slotted spatula onto each cookie to form a cross-hatch pattern, but that's just me.
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp
1 1/2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 35o degrees. Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Put butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar in the bowl of a mixer and mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about three minutes (I don't think I ever actually let it go that long, but now's a great time to bust a move or two). Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture.
(pictured at left and linked to Amazon offers). It's a really fast way to cheat and get uniform sizes for your cookies.
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