Root Beer Cookies

I had specifically went in search of root beer extract quite some time ago.  I cannot even remember how long ago this was on my mind.  I had found recipes for root beer cup cakes, and cookies that had intrigued me.  Well, one day I found myself in the brew your own beer store and I spied the small bottles of root beer extract and decided that owning one would put me one step closer to trying one of these intriguing recipes. With Christmas approaching I found myself packing up a package for friends in New Zealand and having extra weight allowance in the package I decided to tuck my bottle of extract inside.  With Canada post you pay a flat rate for small package air service for any package between 1 and 2 kg.  So if you know me.....you will not be surprised to know that I stuffed that package to within 2 grams of 2 kilograms.  The lady running the postal outlet found this to be quite annoying.  But I'll be darned if I'm not going to get as much in as I can if I am paying for it! 

It is my understanding that root beer is not common in New Zealand....so now they have the option of following the instructions on the label to make themselves 17 L of homemade root beer.....or to try some root beer baking recipes.......Tough call based on the yumminess of these cookies......and the delicious sound of a homemade batch of root beer.  I think I might have to try that as well:)  While I have seen root beer extract in the grocery stores in the US, in  Canada it is less common and you will likely have to seek it out  in the you brew beer and wine stores.  I think most  you brew stores carry it.  

If you'd like to give the root beer cookies a try, have a look at the recipe over at Makes and Takes.  This is the recipe that I used and I found that I needed all of the water listed to make the dough 'sticky' as shown.  I also used golden brown sugar rather than dark (since that is what I had) and it did make the cookies a little lighter in colour......but delicious none the less.