Cookie Bowls

These delectable treats were an inspiration from pinterest. The actual recipe is more of a shortbread cookie, but I just used my chocolate chip cookie recipe. 

These are great treats for birthdays, special events, or for your personal enjoyment. 

So good as ice cream bowls.

Cookie Bowls
Ingredients:

• Cookie dough- I don't know if all cookie dough recipes will work. I error on a little more flour so the dough isn't quite so runny when making these.
• Muffin tray
• Non-stick spray

Cooking Directions
Generously spray the bottom of your muffin tray, make sure you cover all sides. If you want, sprinkle flour as well. Form the cookie dough around the back side of the muffin cup. I usually use only enough cookie dough to go half-way down the cup as the dough will fall during the baking process.  Bake at 350 about 8-10 min. Each time I make these, I start out by baking only two the first time to gauge how the dough will react on the muffin tray. Allow to cool a few minutes, then carefully slide each individual cookie cup off. Cool Completely.

Craisin Bran Muffins

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, she brought some to me in the hospital after I had my first baby. Now, I give them to all my friends after they have babies. These are by far the best tasting bran muffins I've ever had.
I added a few things to tailor to my liking. If you don't like craisins, they are also so delicious with dried apples, probably any fruit for that matter.
For a real treat, I top them with cream cheese frosting, but that just makes them too good.

The best part about this recipe is that it makes a ton. I usually make a dozen at a time and keep the batter in the fridge for about two weeks.

Craisin Bran Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 c. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 c. shortening
• 5 c. flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 qt buttermilk (can mix milk with 4 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
  
• 4 c. bran flakes
• 1 to 2 c. craisins
  
• 2 c. boiling water
• 2 c All-bran
• Cinnamon & sugar mixed together

Cooking Directions:
Mix boiling water and All-bran, set aside. In large bowl, cream eggs, sugar, and shortening. Add buttermilk. Combine flour, salt, soda and cinnamon and mix into muffin batter. Stir in bran mixture and mix well. Fold in bran flakes and craisins.

Fill muffin tins and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 320 for 20 min until toothpick comes out clean.

Cinnamon Pot-stickers

Any time we make Gyoza, we have extra wontons and so naturally we make something sweet.
These are quick and so scrumptious.

Cinnamon Pot-stickers
Ingredients:

• Wonton wraps
• Cream cheese
• Vegetable oil
• Cinnamon & sugar mixed together
  

Cooking Directions:
Place a small amount of cream cheese in the middle of the wonton wrap. Fold over wrap and pinch two sides together to close seams. Heat small amount of oil in fry pan over medium heat. Add wontons and fry until golden, turn over. Remove from oil and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar on both sides. Enjoy this delightful treat!

Crafty Sprinkles

Some holidays I make a variety of treats, some easy and some difficult.
This year our Valentine's Day is looking pretty basic. Frosted sugar cookies and cupcakes.
Here's a little tip to fancy up the basic.

Place a cookie cutter on the frosted cookie or cupcake and fill with sprinkles. Remove cookie cutter. Easy and just a bit more festive.

Peanut Butter Bon Bons

These might just be the perfect treat to give to someone you love this Valentine season.
The best part is this makes a ton so you can throw a bag of them in the freezer and have one, or two, or more for the yourself the rest of the month.

I think they taste like Recess if you use milk chocolate.

Peanut Butter Bon Bons
Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 3 cups peanut butter
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 1 medium box (12 oz) Rice Krispies,
  
• Chocolate to dip, can use almond bark, chocolate chips with shortening, candy melts, etc.

Cooking Directions
Melt butter in large sauce pan. Add peanut butter and sugar until well blended. Remove from heat. Stir in Rice Krispies- this will be difficult so you may need to use your hands. Roll into small balls. Set on cookie sheet lines with wax paper and freeze about an hour.

Melt chocolate. Dip balls into chocolate using a fork so the excess chocolate drips through. Place back on cold cookie sheet until dry.

Optional: Drizzle chocolate on top using fork.

Oatmel Cookies

I've learned that cookies are very delicate, in order to bake the perfect cookies, you have to know your oven and be able to eye the dough for the right consistency. With every new house, I've made adjustments to my cookies recipes or baking times.
To be honest my chocolate chip cookies are pretty dang good- I get a lot of compliments on them. I had a few people email me after I posted the recipe saying the cookies didn't turn out. I think it's just a learning process.

These oatmeal cookies have thus far been fool-proof. It could be the hint I received from my sister-in-law to mix the baking soda with water...I don't know.
They are especially good with a mixture of white and milk chocolate chips, yum...so good.

*If you try them and they don't turn out, please let me know.

Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:

• 1 c. shortening
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 3/4 c. packed brown sugar + 1-2 Tbsp
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (if you don't like cinnamon, don't add)
  
• 1 tsp hot water mixed with 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 1/2 c. old fashioned oats
• Chocolate chips- as many as you can handle
  

Cooking Directions:
Mix shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix. Mix in water and soda mixture. Mix in oats, then chocolate chips. Loosely roll into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 for 8-9 min, or until no longer shiny. Drop cookie sheet on counter to flatten cookies. Remove to cooling racks.

Candy Cane Oreos

This week our playgroup held a soup and cookie swap. We figured Christmas was a good excuse to meet and eat food. I love cookie exchanges- it's always so much fun to see what others make for the Holiday's. The soup was an added bonus, it helped fill up our bellies before getting to the treats.

I made Mexican Bean Soup, on of my favorites. It was one of my first posts on my blog so if you haven't discovered it yet, you may just want to "go there." It's a quick soup, very healthy, and so scrumptious!

Candy Cane Oreos
I'm sure everyone makes homemade oreos, which are awesome. For Christmas, I make mine with vanilla frosting and crush up candy canes. I could eat a lot of them.

Candy Cane Oreos
Ingredients:

• 2 boxes Devil's cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 c. oil
• Vanilla frosting (canned or homemade)
• Crushed candy canes- I like to do quite a bit, crush very fine)
• Food coloring- if you desire

Cooking Directions
Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil until moist- it will be difficult. Sometimes I just use my hands at the end. Roll into balls about 1 1/2 in. Bake 350 for 8 min. Smack tray on counter.

Mix candy canes into frosting, frost cookie and sandwich.

*Frosting for regular homemade oreos
8 oz cream cheese
2 2/3c. powdered sugar

Christmas Wreath Cookies

We made these every year when I was a child. As I was thinking of Holiday crafts to make with my girls, I remembered these.
When I took my first bite, it was such a sweet nostalgic taste. These are easy and fun to make but very sticky!

Christmas Wreath Cookies
Ingredients:

• 4 c. miniature marshmallows, or 1 10 oz bag regular
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 4 c. corn flakes
• Green food coloring
• Red hots sprinkles

Cooking Directions
Melt butter and marshmallows in saucepan, stirring consistently. Stir in green food coloring to desired green. Stir in cornflakes until mixed well.

On wax paper, using two spoons, drop balls of cereals mix and allow to cool just a bit. With slightly buttered fingers, poke a hole in the ball and spread to look like a wreath. This part can be tricky if it's too sticky. Add red hots and allow to cool.

Pumpkin Sheetcake

I love the smells of fall. All reminders of the upcoming Holidays. We've started a tradition to kick off the Holiday season (meaning the blending of Halloween to Christmas). The first Monday in October, we read Too Many Pumpkins, by Linda White, for family night. We also bake pumpkin sheet cake and share it with others, just like Rebecca Estelle does in the book. It's a great way to teach our children about serving others and always a great excuse to eat a delicious treat.

Pumpkin Sheetcake
Ingredients:

• 1 15 oz canned Pumpkin
• 2 c. sugar
• 1 c. veggie oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 c. flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin spice
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cooking Directions:
Mix pumpkin, sugar, and oil together. Add eggs and mix. Combine dry ingredients then add to mixture. Mix until well blended. Bake at 350 in greased cookie sheet for 25-30 min, once toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 pkg cream cheese, softened
• 4 Tbsp butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 3/4 c. powder sugar
• 3 tsp milk

Mix until smooth

Optional: 1 c. chopped walnuts sprinkled on top

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Some cookies for a rainy day.

Chocolate chip cookies are such a delicate treat. Everyone has a favorite recipe or knows someone who makes them the best. I have tried a number of recipes and finally tweaked mine so it's just how I like it. I've been told they taste like Hot Chocolate, I'll take it as a compliment.

Thought I'd share my recipe in case any of you are still on the hunt for one you like (my hunt will likely never end).

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:

• 1 c. butter flavored shortening (they never turn out for me if I use butter)
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 3/4 c. packed brown sugar + 2 Tbsp (give or take)
  
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 tsp real vanilla
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Chocolate chips- lots!

Cooking Directions:
Cream shortening and sugars. Beat in one egg. Beat in second egg and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients then add. Stir in chocolate chips. Do not roll, use cookie scoop or spoon.

Bake 350 9 minutes, then check, or until light brown. I usually go about 10 minutes. Drop the cookie sheet of the counter and remove cookies to cooling rack.

Granola

Two of my sister-in-laws have had homemade granola on hand for quite some time. I've always enjoyed it so I finally started making my own. I kind of combined the components that I like from both of theirs into this one.

This is good granola. When I'm really watching what I eat, I pound this stuff. When I'm not watching so well, I really pound it. Enjoy!

Granola
Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 c. whole oats
• 1 c. bran flakes
• 1 c. rice krispies
• 2 c. nuts, seeds, etc (you can add more bran flakes, rice krispies, etc)
• 1 c. coconut

Mix these in a large bowl and set aside.

• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. honey (I use mostly Agave nectar)
• 1/4 c. water

Microwave in glass bowl for 3 to 5 min, until boiling. Remove and stir in:

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Slowly pour over oat mixture and stir to coat. Spread evenly on greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 275 for 20 min. Rotate racks and bake an additional 15-18 min.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and allow to cool. If you like crumbs, fluff with fork before it cools, if you like it chunky, let it cool first.

Cookies n Cream popcorn

A sweet treat for Saturday
This has been one of my signature treats that everyone goes crazy over. I hesitate posting it because I'd like people to think I've created some crazy concoction. Not the case.

While I lived in NYC, I discovered Dale and Thomas popcorn. Every time my family visited, it was a must. Unfortunately as the economy went further down, so did Dale and Thomas. So I decided to throw together my favorite popcorn treat from there and it turns out it was easy, tasted just as good, and for the $6.50 I would have spent on one bag, I could get about 6 bags.

So here's my "secret"...

Cookies n Cream Popcorn
Ingredients: (these portions are guidelines, alter as desired)

• 6-8 c Popcorn, when I'm in a hurry I use 2 microwave bags
  
• 6 oz White chocolate, melted. can even use almond bark, although real chocolate obviously tastes better
• 1 1/2 sleeves Oreo cookies, crushed

Cooking Directions:
Pop the popcorn and mix with crushed Oreo's. Drizzle white chocolate and stir. Add chocolate until you get the desired consistency. Enjoy and share just a little.