Christmas Sugar Cookies

Growing up I remember always making sugar cookies with my grandmother and I remember always loving them. Over the years I've tried to perfect the recipe I have, sometimes the cookies would turn out too flat -resulting in a sort of crunchier sugar cookie. Not what I wanted. Sometimes they'd puff up too much and lose their shape in the oven - resulting in snowman cut outs looking more like melted snowballs! Not what I wanted. This year though I was asked to make 50 mitten cookies for my Mother in law's annual Christmas Tea Party and cookie exchange. They were going to hang on little trees as centerpieces on the tables and be given to each guest when they went home. So I knew they had to be perfect. And thankfully this time... they were! Take a look at how adorable they turned out! I can't wait to make them again the week of Christmas with Little Cupcake, and again on Valentines Day, and again for Easter, and well... you see where this is going! There will be lots of Sugar Cookie posts in our future!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

As most know my favorite type of dessert is a cupcake. It's like an individual party just for you! But I have to say that Chocolate Chip Cookies is probably my second favorite dessert. Throw in some pecans and Oh yeah! I could eat a few dozen! :) These Chocolate Chip cookies were the best ones I've made yet. A little bit crispy on the outside, but still ooey and gooey and soft on the inside. AMAZING!!

edited to add the recipe that I used. I followed it exactly, except for one thing. I decided to grind up 1 cup of oatmeal to use in place of 1 cup of flour. I think by doing this it added just enough extra taste and texture to make these the BEST chocolate chip cookies I have ever had!

A twist on No-Bake Cookies

Growing up we made these cookies ofen. You know the recipe? You boil sugar, cocoa, butter and milk on the stove. Then stir in peanut butter and oatmeal until drop them by spoonfuls on wax paper to set. Well I decided to make them the other day and try a few different things with the recipe. First I substituted the sugar with Truvia (a sugar substitute), used unsalted butter, and skim milk. Then when it came time for the PB & the oatmeal... I used all natural PB and also added in wheat germ, coconut, chopped peanuts, and craisins. The end result was fantastic!!! lots of sweet and saltiness mixed together!

Cake Mix Holiday Cookies

I love making cookies at the holidays... but what I don't love is the time it makes to usually make a few batches. Time is one of those things that with a toddler running around the house I typically do not have a lot of! That is why I LOVE this recipe! It is super easy, super fast, and super yummy!
Three ingridents is all you need and sprinkles of your choice. The more the merrier!
One box cake mix of your choice (I used devils food for this batch)
2 eggs
1/2 cup of oil

Mix all together in a large bowl. The consistancy will be like that of cookie dough. You want to roll the dough into small balls then roll each ball in sprinkles. I used several different kinds of sprinkles because I thought it made them so pretty! And I tend to go a little crazy with buying different holiday sprinkles too! This year I found candy cane sprinkles that actually taste like peppermint! Those little cookies turned out so good... chocolate and peppermint, what a great combination!
Place the rolled balls on a cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes in a preheated 350* oven. Remove from oven and let sit on cookie sheet for a minute or two, then transfer to a cooling rack. The result is a googy brownie like cookie baked with yummy sprinkles!
Pretty, Simple and great for the holidays!
As always ENJOY!

Double Chocolate Whoopie pies with Cream Cheese filling

Can you say YUMMMMMMMMY!!!!

Spiced Whoopie Pies

I found this recipe a while ago and wanted to try it out for a housewarming gift for my mother in law. It's a super easy recipe that anyone can make.
All you will need is:
1 box cake mix (for these I just used a white cake mix)
1/2 cup of butter at room temp
2 eggs
I added some spices to my mix.... a little cinnamon, and a little allspice.

Frosting of your choice.

mix together. preheat oven 350* drop mixture by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Try to keep them all the same size. Bake 10-12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to cooling rack.

Once cool you frost the bottom side of one cookie and then press them gently together. I chose to use buttercreme because I had it on had. Cream Cheese would be a great choice as well.
Then if you like you can decorate the sides with jimmies, sprinkles, or just leave plain.

And as always.... Enjoy!

Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love chocolate chip cookies. LOVE them! Especially with pecans. I found a great recipe where they turn out big and ooie gooey! So I figured I'd share it with you all. I didn't have any chocolate chips on hand, but did have a HUGE chocolate bunny from Easter so I chopped it up and used that instead. They turned out great using that.

1 stick butter, softened but not melted
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla
3 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a chopped up chocolate bunny! :O)
(you can add nuts to yours too if you'd like!)
Preheat oven to 375*

Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, sugars, eggs and vanilla with a wooden spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients.
The batter will be stiff, and it should be. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown.
Cool slightly before removing to a wire rack.

And ENJOY!

Dessert for one!

Ever have those days when you just want a little dessert for yourself. Something more then just a cookie, or just a cupcake? Well I keep ready made cookie dough on hand most of the time for dessert emergencies just like this!
You'll need ready made cookie dough, a small ramekin, and your topping of choice - today I used vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate syrup and a few slivered almonds.
Preheat your oven to 350. Fill your ramekin about 2/3 with the cookie dough and place in oven for 15-18 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Then top with your choice of toppings and MMMMMMMMMMM enjoy!