One more post before I start my flurry of holiday baking. Actually, I only have 5 batches (that will make about 22 dozen cookies). My husband wants to limit my stress. Really he wants me not to be stressed out so then I don't get crabby and take it out on him. Plus I did recently have surgery and I am supposed to "take it easy". Turns out, I don't know how to do that.
This brings us to batch #364 White chocolate (pecan) holiday cookies
Two days ago, I made this batch of 10 dozen cookies to bring to the nurses at the hospital where I had my surgery. I've brought cookies during 2 out of 3 of my hospital stays from when I gave birth, and I completely forgot to make a batch beforehand for this hospital stay. It's not like I was preoccupied with my illness or anything.
Two days ago, my daughter and I brought the cookies to the hospital. I absentmindedly forgot my wallet - meaning we could not park in the convenient ramp connected to the hospital. So I found street parking about 3 blocks away in a spot that I'm pretty sure was okay to park in, I looked at all the signs posted about permit parking and no parking, but I wasn't 100% confident. So I wanted to be quick. We were walking to the hospital and I realized I forgot my phone in the car (this was a sign that I was "doing too much"). I decided to run the block and a half back to the car to grab my phone (because I wanted to be quick due to my uncertainty of said parking spot). Running a few weeks after major abdominal surgery - that's just stupid. I paid for it.
But alas, I did deliver the batch of cookies to the nurses!
Also on this "Do Good" day of ours, I donated a bridesmaid dress to Operation Glass Slipper - finally - it's been sitting either in my car or our mudroom lockers for over a year now.
I also took the kids to a toy store so that they could pick out and donate their "Toys for Tots" toys.
I may be pushing the Do Good for others idea too hard (as I made my kids a couple weeks ago go through all the toys they don't use anymore and donate them to a shelter), because Joey on the car ride home said "I'm kind of tired of helping out other kids".
Friday, December 7, 2018
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Gobble Gobble
My 5 year old - and the emotional mood swings - so over it! Yesterday he was in his room for a time out after scribbling all over his sister's picture and then slamming his door. Today, he is as sweet as can be and writing love you notes. So that brings us to batch 363.
#363 Turkey Cookies
We made these cookies for the holiday tomorrow, but I told my 5 year old he could bring one to his teacher. Then he reminded me he needed to bring one for the assistant teacher, and the volunteer, and also the 1 to 1 aide for one of the students. He can be so thoughtful and conscientious - when he wants to be.
So these fun cookies: 2 sugar cookies, a chocolate marshmallow cookie cut in half, and then chocolate frosting and vanilla frosting dyed yellow and red. Fun stuff!
#363 Turkey Cookies
So these fun cookies: 2 sugar cookies, a chocolate marshmallow cookie cut in half, and then chocolate frosting and vanilla frosting dyed yellow and red. Fun stuff!
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Friends
The two batches I made for this post all has to do with friends. My husband says friends are too much work and doesn't see the point in friends, or maybe he does, he is just someone who doesn't need many people. I on the other hand, an extrovert since birth, have a lot of friends. And I talk to them about everything. And it's a good thing I do, because occasionally, you find out information that is super crucial and a little bit life changing.
#361 Macadamia-coconut Lime Bars
A couple of friends of mine (former co-workers) and I try to meet up on a regular basis since we don't get to see each other at work anymore. Nothing ground breaking or earth shattering happened here. Made this 6 serving bar; a flour butter base with ground up macadamia nuts with a coconut, lime juice, flour filling.
#362 Chippy Peanut Butter Cookies
So health insurance sucks! Auto-immune diseases suck! Combine them, it really sucks. A friend of mine's son recently was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. So my friend (another former co-worker) posted about how much work she has put in to try and figure out our company's health insurance and the best one for their treatment options and cost value. She was kind enough to share her findings with me. We're talking ultra organized comparisons on Xcel spreadsheets - I was in heaven!
This ended up being a life saver for me as earlier this summer my surgeon said I needed to have part of my colon removed - this year or next as long as I had no problems. I started having problems in October. I was very stressed as my husband and I decided it would be a huge cost savings to switch plans and wait for next year. Well now I couldn't wait till next year. But then enter this information. Boil it down to this - I didn't fully understand the plans and the individual vs family plan and the health insurance fine print. Ultimately it meant that it was actually cheaper to do the surgery this year (because even though I have the family plan, there's an individual part and I had met that deductible since I've had so much crap this year - we didn't need to meet the family deductible/out of pocket max). And the plan we were going to switch to - there's no individual component on there (if you enroll in the family plan). Huge stress reliever!
So yeah - this girl saved me a couple thousand dollars and huge stress reliever. The least I can do is bake her a batch of cookies. She said her favorite was either chocolate chip or peanut butter - so she got peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Had the surgery this past Monday - and it went well!
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Happy Halloween
Happy Week of Halloween! Time for my brother's annual Halloween party and batch #360 a Halloween themed cookie. Skeletons! For these cookies - make a chocolate cut out sugar cookie using a gingerbread man. Then with powdered sugar frosting, draw in the skeleton.
I think my brother (pictured above) are of two different minds when it comes to Halloween. We both like coming up with fun costumes, we'll both go all out, but he'll buy a costume and I do everything I can to go as cheap as possible. You can't tell in this pic, but the outfit he is wearing looks like an Edward Scissorhands outfit. Mine, I got the leotard as a gift and added pieces (that I pretty much had) to add to it. The tutu did come from Goodwill (for $4). The boot covers were my son's when he was 3, and I wore a track jacket I had underneath for the Supergirl sleeves - and also I was worried about being cold - I made do. The result - my brother's costume probably was better, more put together. But everyone obviously knew who I was and what my costume was - so it worked.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
It's Fall!
Happy Fall!
What's the best thing about fall? Well, MEA of course. The 4 day weekend that MN teachers get every October to go to the educator's conference (except my district lets us have a flex day if we report to work a day early in August) - so 4 day weekend (really 5 because I don't work Wednesdays) for me! Love it! No holiday obligations - just a few free days off.
This year's MEA - my sisters arranged a trip for all of us to drive down to Chicago to see Hamilton! I'm not a huge theatre goer, but I also have FOMO and won't pass up a kid free (at least free from my kids, 1 nephew and 1 niece - both teenagers) came along.
But this play, amazing. Only 1 of 2 plays in my life where I didn't get bored (the other one being Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). I do recommend reading the synopsis of the play beforehand to help give yourself a clear picture of what's happening in the play.
I've been singing and humming the songs for the past 3 days.
#358 Favorite Molasses Cookie
I made this very fall like cookie for the road trip down. Not my kind of cookie, but some of my travel companions enjoyed them. Very much like a ginger snap.
#359 Spiced Pumpkin Bars
Also on my fall break, I get to go out with my friends. Off to a haunted hayride tonight with an appetizer and byob party beforehand. So I made these cake like pumpkin bars for that gathering.
Quick and easy recipe. Got to bring them to the party, but then the dog ate the rest of them (half of the pan) the next morning. You'd think I'd learn by now to keep everything high up at all times.
These were very good and very popular.
Recipe:
2 cups flour
1 - 1/2 cups sugar
1 tbs baking powder
2 tsps cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
4 eggs
1 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Confectioners' sugar
In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin and applesauce; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients.
Spread into a greased 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Do not overtake. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Dust with confectioner's sugar.
What's the best thing about fall? Well, MEA of course. The 4 day weekend that MN teachers get every October to go to the educator's conference (except my district lets us have a flex day if we report to work a day early in August) - so 4 day weekend (really 5 because I don't work Wednesdays) for me! Love it! No holiday obligations - just a few free days off.
This year's MEA - my sisters arranged a trip for all of us to drive down to Chicago to see Hamilton! I'm not a huge theatre goer, but I also have FOMO and won't pass up a kid free (at least free from my kids, 1 nephew and 1 niece - both teenagers) came along.
But this play, amazing. Only 1 of 2 plays in my life where I didn't get bored (the other one being Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). I do recommend reading the synopsis of the play beforehand to help give yourself a clear picture of what's happening in the play.
I've been singing and humming the songs for the past 3 days.
#358 Favorite Molasses Cookie
I made this very fall like cookie for the road trip down. Not my kind of cookie, but some of my travel companions enjoyed them. Very much like a ginger snap.
#359 Spiced Pumpkin Bars
Also on my fall break, I get to go out with my friends. Off to a haunted hayride tonight with an appetizer and byob party beforehand. So I made these cake like pumpkin bars for that gathering.
Quick and easy recipe. Got to bring them to the party, but then the dog ate the rest of them (half of the pan) the next morning. You'd think I'd learn by now to keep everything high up at all times.
These were very good and very popular.
Recipe:
2 cups flour
1 - 1/2 cups sugar
1 tbs baking powder
2 tsps cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
4 eggs
1 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Confectioners' sugar
In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin and applesauce; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients.
Spread into a greased 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Do not overtake. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Dust with confectioner's sugar.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Treats at Work
Every time I decide to make a batch that I plan to just give away, because the batch doesn't look that appealing; it's always so good. Today's batch:
#357 Mom's Molasses Cookie
How do treats work out at your work? Every school I've worked at does it a little differently. My current workplace assigns teams of people to bring in treats every Wednesday for a 1 month period. We're a school so it's assigned Sept-June. There was one extra team (my team) than months p, so we're also assigned surprise days. Just bring treats in randomly (on days other than Wednesday).
Now never mind the fact that I work half time and I don't work Wednesday's- so therefore never get any treats that are brought in - but am still assigned to a team to bring treats in. 🙄 I could choose to opt out - but doesn't really matter to me as I've always just brought in batches of cookies at random times. So it works out.
So this batch that I thought would be a good one just to get it done and gone - pretty darn good. Perfect for a cool, fall, rainy day.
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp nutmeg
In a large bowl cream shortening and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, molasses, milk and vanilla. Combine the rest of the ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Roll into 1-1/4-in. Balls; roll in remaining sugar. Place 2 in. Apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until tops crack and edges are slightly firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.
#357 Mom's Molasses Cookie
How do treats work out at your work? Every school I've worked at does it a little differently. My current workplace assigns teams of people to bring in treats every Wednesday for a 1 month period. We're a school so it's assigned Sept-June. There was one extra team (my team) than months p, so we're also assigned surprise days. Just bring treats in randomly (on days other than Wednesday).
Now never mind the fact that I work half time and I don't work Wednesday's- so therefore never get any treats that are brought in - but am still assigned to a team to bring treats in. 🙄 I could choose to opt out - but doesn't really matter to me as I've always just brought in batches of cookies at random times. So it works out.
So this batch that I thought would be a good one just to get it done and gone - pretty darn good. Perfect for a cool, fall, rainy day.
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp nutmeg
In a large bowl cream shortening and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, molasses, milk and vanilla. Combine the rest of the ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Roll into 1-1/4-in. Balls; roll in remaining sugar. Place 2 in. Apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until tops crack and edges are slightly firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Will I ever learn?
#355 Monster Chip Cookies
Last weekend there was a slight chill in the air and I got fall fever. I picked out a great fall cookie, a big chocolate chip, oatmeal, cinnamon cookie. I was so excited. I started the batter, followed the recipe and then read: "Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight". So disheartning. Delayed gratification. This one is so good though. The refrigeration is important, without it, the cookies will spread way too thin - and like I said, this is a big cookie. It started to spread a little bit towards the end as my dough softened up. When you're not scooping up 1/4 cup cupfuls, put the dough in the refrigerator to help it stay firm.
Monster Chip Cookies:
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
3 cups flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
2 tsps baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups nuts (I omitted the nuts, as this was for me, and I can't do nuts)
In a large bowl, cream shortening, butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla and lemon juice. Combine the dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Sir in chips and nuts. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Drop by 1/4 cupfuls 3 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 14-16 minutes or until lightly browned and center is set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.
#356 Very chocolaty pb brownies
A shortcut creation that caused nothing but problems. My plan was for this to be a quick bake so that I could bring it over to my friend who is confined to her house since she broke her foot. I should know by now that when I try to fit too much into a morning it's all gonna go to hell. And it did. I tried to start some laundry, start dinner in the crock-pot and get this pan of brownies into the oven before walking the 5 year old to school (at 9:30). It seemed doable. But I also had to get myself ready for the day, feed the 3 little minions breakfast, get the toddler and preschooler dressed (the 5 year old is pretty self-sufficient in that area), brush teeth and hair. All was going well until the dreaded phrase of "get your shoes on". That's when my middle child, the one who knows better than any of the other three how to manipulate me, how to control me and how to break me decided not to cooperate. I'm throwing stuff into the crockpot, whipping up the ingredients for this recipe and then call down to the 3 year old again to come down and get shoes on. The 5 year old and 1 year old are ready. After the 4th or 5th time (at this point we should be half way through the 3 block walk to school), the 3 year old comes down - in her dress shoes. Experience and hindsight tells me I should let it go - no big deal (even though I discussed with her the night before how we can't wear our dress shoes to play and run around in). I automatically said "gotta take those shoes off. Put your tennis shoes on". 3 year old does take the shoes off. Then screams at me, and sits and glares. And this girl can glare (and not budge). At this point I lost my cool. We should be at school now saying goodbye to 5 year old. 3 year old will not get shoes on (I tried to force them on). So I yell out to 5 year old - get in the car, we gotta drive. I pick up the 3 year old without any shoes and strap her into the carseat. Grabbed the toddler - and we drive the 3 blocks (really it's 2 1/2 blocks) to school.
But I did get the brownies into the oven before we left - that's a win, right!?
Last weekend there was a slight chill in the air and I got fall fever. I picked out a great fall cookie, a big chocolate chip, oatmeal, cinnamon cookie. I was so excited. I started the batter, followed the recipe and then read: "Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight". So disheartning. Delayed gratification. This one is so good though. The refrigeration is important, without it, the cookies will spread way too thin - and like I said, this is a big cookie. It started to spread a little bit towards the end as my dough softened up. When you're not scooping up 1/4 cup cupfuls, put the dough in the refrigerator to help it stay firm.
Monster Chip Cookies:
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
3 cups flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
2 tsps baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups nuts (I omitted the nuts, as this was for me, and I can't do nuts)
In a large bowl, cream shortening, butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla and lemon juice. Combine the dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Sir in chips and nuts. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Drop by 1/4 cupfuls 3 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 14-16 minutes or until lightly browned and center is set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.
#356 Very chocolaty pb brownies
A shortcut creation that caused nothing but problems. My plan was for this to be a quick bake so that I could bring it over to my friend who is confined to her house since she broke her foot. I should know by now that when I try to fit too much into a morning it's all gonna go to hell. And it did. I tried to start some laundry, start dinner in the crock-pot and get this pan of brownies into the oven before walking the 5 year old to school (at 9:30). It seemed doable. But I also had to get myself ready for the day, feed the 3 little minions breakfast, get the toddler and preschooler dressed (the 5 year old is pretty self-sufficient in that area), brush teeth and hair. All was going well until the dreaded phrase of "get your shoes on". That's when my middle child, the one who knows better than any of the other three how to manipulate me, how to control me and how to break me decided not to cooperate. I'm throwing stuff into the crockpot, whipping up the ingredients for this recipe and then call down to the 3 year old again to come down and get shoes on. The 5 year old and 1 year old are ready. After the 4th or 5th time (at this point we should be half way through the 3 block walk to school), the 3 year old comes down - in her dress shoes. Experience and hindsight tells me I should let it go - no big deal (even though I discussed with her the night before how we can't wear our dress shoes to play and run around in). I automatically said "gotta take those shoes off. Put your tennis shoes on". 3 year old does take the shoes off. Then screams at me, and sits and glares. And this girl can glare (and not budge). At this point I lost my cool. We should be at school now saying goodbye to 5 year old. 3 year old will not get shoes on (I tried to force them on). So I yell out to 5 year old - get in the car, we gotta drive. I pick up the 3 year old without any shoes and strap her into the carseat. Grabbed the toddler - and we drive the 3 blocks (really it's 2 1/2 blocks) to school.
But I did get the brownies into the oven before we left - that's a win, right!?
Friday, August 31, 2018
Surprises
This past week has come with some surprises. After a year of pain in my knee and months of physical therapy, last week I got the okay to finally start working out slowly. But Saturday night, at a party, I couldn't resist the backyard trampoline. After less than 2 minutes, surprise, I hurt my knee worse than anything in the past year; my self-diagnosis and prior experience tells me it's a torn meniscus. And of course the following day, we headed over to the state fair where I walked/limped around all day. But another surprise, found a new knee brace that seems to be working pretty well.
Even after 354 different cookie recipes, I can still get surprised by different recipes.
#353 Low-fat Oatmeal Raisin cookie
I made this batch intending to pass it off to my husband's guys night group or to bring it to my co-workers to get rid of. But it surprisingly is yummy. My husband gave it a 5. Another surprise, it called for 1 cup sugar and 1 cup brown sugar, but I missed that part and only put in the 1 cup sugar - so it's not got much sugar in it either. Delish!
#354 Chewy German Chocolate Cookie
There are certain recipes that I have tried to save thinking they are going to be fabulous. I figured this would be one of them. Surprise again. Hubby isn't home so he hasn't tried it, but it's only a 2 (out of 5) for me.
Even after 354 different cookie recipes, I can still get surprised by different recipes.
#353 Low-fat Oatmeal Raisin cookie
I made this batch intending to pass it off to my husband's guys night group or to bring it to my co-workers to get rid of. But it surprisingly is yummy. My husband gave it a 5. Another surprise, it called for 1 cup sugar and 1 cup brown sugar, but I missed that part and only put in the 1 cup sugar - so it's not got much sugar in it either. Delish!
#354 Chewy German Chocolate Cookie
There are certain recipes that I have tried to save thinking they are going to be fabulous. I figured this would be one of them. Surprise again. Hubby isn't home so he hasn't tried it, but it's only a 2 (out of 5) for me.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Moments
Is it time to go back to school/work yet? I'm really trying to enjoy the moment with my 3 kiddos 5 and under. But when I'm with them on my own all day everyday all summer with no breaks and hubby is working overtime - there are a lot of moments. There's the moments of my 15 month old throwing every bite of healthy food at me that I try to give her. There's the moments of my 3 year old literally stomping her foot and screaming no at me. There's the moments of my 5 year old screaming because the 1 year old knocked down his tower. There are a lot of moments.
However the positive moments include the kids playing "hotel" together and going to happy hour, my 5 year old writing me "I love you" notes; my 3 year old arguing with me how she's NOT cute, she's beautiful! and hugs from the 1 year old. There's also the moment of Yay, no cancer! But have to get part of my colon removed : /.
Then there's been many of moments of baking cookies together. Today's "really great cookies" according to the 5 year old went to our doctor - one of our several doctors and doctor appointments this summer (many moments at the doctors' this summer).
#349 Shortbread Meltaways
So one of the consequences (or benefits?) of the surprise second hurry up and get it done colonoscopy was that I couldn't make our summer trip down to IN to visit the in-laws. The hubby and two older kids still went leaving me all alone with just the 1 year old. Lots of by myself time and getting to do whatever I wanted (except for that pesky colonoscopy).
These shortbread cookies made the trip down in my place. Melt away in your mouth. I understand they were eaten by the handful.
#350 Thumbprint Cookies
While the family was away I got to spend a bit of (actual quality) time with my Gramma who just turned 93! Made these butter cookies with jam and pecans for her.
#351 Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
And this one - one I've been saving because they looked so good and I didn't want to use up all the great recipes; a Peanut Butter cookie with a peanut butter cup placed in the middle. Can that be topped? Cabin weekend with the sisters (and parents) for some adult time - except my kids still came.
1 pkg peanut butter cookie mix (17 1/2 oz)
36 miniature peanut butter cups
Makes 3 dozen
Prepare cookie mix according to package directions. Roll the dough into 1-in balls. Place in greased miniature muffin cups. Press dough evenly onto bottom and up sides of each cup. Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes or until set. Immediately place a peanut butter cup in each cup; press down gently. Cool for 10 minutes; carefully remove from pans.
#352 Lemon Meltaways
Today's cookie. These were supposed to be made for girls cabin weekend a couple weeks ago - but I was too out of it from the colonoscopy -didn't get to it. Then I was going to make them for the sisters' cabin weekend - but Mom was already bringing lemon bars. So I had the ingredients needed and just wanted to use them up - so lucky Doc and nurse.
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1- 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
FROSTING:
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon peel
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in lemon juice. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into two 8 inch rolls; wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
Unwrap and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes or until the cookies are from to the touch. Remove to wire racks to cool.
For frosting, in a small bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon peel. Frost cooled cookies.
However the positive moments include the kids playing "hotel" together and going to happy hour, my 5 year old writing me "I love you" notes; my 3 year old arguing with me how she's NOT cute, she's beautiful! and hugs from the 1 year old. There's also the moment of Yay, no cancer! But have to get part of my colon removed : /.
Then there's been many of moments of baking cookies together. Today's "really great cookies" according to the 5 year old went to our doctor - one of our several doctors and doctor appointments this summer (many moments at the doctors' this summer).
#349 Shortbread Meltaways
So one of the consequences (or benefits?) of the surprise second hurry up and get it done colonoscopy was that I couldn't make our summer trip down to IN to visit the in-laws. The hubby and two older kids still went leaving me all alone with just the 1 year old. Lots of by myself time and getting to do whatever I wanted (except for that pesky colonoscopy).
These shortbread cookies made the trip down in my place. Melt away in your mouth. I understand they were eaten by the handful.
#350 Thumbprint Cookies
While the family was away I got to spend a bit of (actual quality) time with my Gramma who just turned 93! Made these butter cookies with jam and pecans for her.
#351 Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
And this one - one I've been saving because they looked so good and I didn't want to use up all the great recipes; a Peanut Butter cookie with a peanut butter cup placed in the middle. Can that be topped? Cabin weekend with the sisters (and parents) for some adult time - except my kids still came.
1 pkg peanut butter cookie mix (17 1/2 oz)
36 miniature peanut butter cups
Makes 3 dozen
Prepare cookie mix according to package directions. Roll the dough into 1-in balls. Place in greased miniature muffin cups. Press dough evenly onto bottom and up sides of each cup. Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes or until set. Immediately place a peanut butter cup in each cup; press down gently. Cool for 10 minutes; carefully remove from pans.
#352 Lemon Meltaways
Today's cookie. These were supposed to be made for girls cabin weekend a couple weeks ago - but I was too out of it from the colonoscopy -didn't get to it. Then I was going to make them for the sisters' cabin weekend - but Mom was already bringing lemon bars. So I had the ingredients needed and just wanted to use them up - so lucky Doc and nurse.
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1- 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
FROSTING:
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon peel
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in lemon juice. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into two 8 inch rolls; wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
Unwrap and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes or until the cookies are from to the touch. Remove to wire racks to cool.
For frosting, in a small bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon peel. Frost cooled cookies.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
#lifewithcrohns
So my last post was about my colonoscopy; unfortunately I get to have another colonoscopy - next week. Two colonoscopies in less than a month. The doctor explained that I shouldn't be worried, they found incidental (pre cancerous) findings but they want to get in another colonoscopy (ASAP) to do multiple biopsies. Hmm, not sure how to take that. Don't worry but get in ASAP. Not super reassuring. Life with Crohn's 😞
Until then, I'll just keep baking and stay tuned.
#345 Old Fashioned Cutout Cookies
What's better than having your own pool? Your neighbors having a pool! We've been invited over a few times and the kids love it. Hopefully a few batches of cookies will help show our gratitude.
This quick batch calls for a floured cookie cutter, but Mickey Mouse shaped cookies seem much more appropriate.
 |
| Cabin Fun. All day every day, building castles and rivers. |
#346 Salted Peanut Cookies
Cabin week time! We get to spend a whole week there. Well, not all of us. I got to spend the whole week there with the three kids and grandparents and Aunts and Uncles and cousins. Hubby Mike stayed home; someone has to work. Actually, I think he was more excited about his week than I was about mine.
This large batch made me think of baseball; not sure why, maybe because of the salted peanuts in it?
1 1/2 cups shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (make this a dairy free cookie by substituting dairy free chocolate chips)
1 1/2 cups salted peanuts
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chips and peanuts.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks.
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| Cabin fun Sisters! |
#347 Chocolate Waffle Cookies
I've had to save this batch for the cabin for sometime. I don't own a waffle maker, but we have one at the cabin. You pour the cookie batter right onto the waffle maker to get these small waffle like cookies. They basically taste like chocolate waffles.
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| Finding out very quickly that fishing involves a lot of waiting. |
#348 Really Rocky Road Brownies
Another big winner. A homemade brownie topped with marshmallows. - Makes 4 dozen - two 9x9 square pans.
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| Cousins! |
8 sq. unsweetened chocolate (8oz)
1 1/2 cups butter
6 eggs
3 cups sugar
1 tbs vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional - I put walnuts in one pan and left them out in another)
Topping:
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 square unsweetened chocolate, melted
In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat eggs for 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar; beat until thick, about 3 minutes. Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Fold in the flour and nuts.
Pour into two greased and floured 9 in. square baking pans. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes - a toothpick inserted in center should come out with moist crumbs. Sprinkle each pan with 1 cup of marshmallows. Broil until the marshmallows are golden brown - about 1 minute. Drizzle with the melted chocolate. Cool in pans and cut into bars.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Longest Day Ever
No baking today. That would be torture. I get the pleasure of going through the lovely experience of a colonoscopy tomorrow (so that I can get on the gold standard of drugs for my Crohn's; Humira).
If anyone has gone through a colonoscopy before, you know, I'm can't eat today. I've got my trusty gatorade with me (of course not red or blue or purple - the best flavors). And later today I'll get to drink a gallon of some yummy* drink (note the sarcasm) and not stray more than a few feet from a toilet.
So I will not be baking today. I did however bake a quick and delicious bar this past weekend.
#344 Coconut Graham Squares
Layout some graham crackers on a 15x10x1 in pan. Melt some butter, and mix in sugar, milk and egg. Then add one coconut, nuts and cracker crumbs - spread it over the graham crackers, top with more crackers and put on a powdered sugar/butter/milk frosting - and you've got this dessert. A crowd pleaser!
If anyone has gone through a colonoscopy before, you know, I'm can't eat today. I've got my trusty gatorade with me (of course not red or blue or purple - the best flavors). And later today I'll get to drink a gallon of some yummy* drink (note the sarcasm) and not stray more than a few feet from a toilet.
So I will not be baking today. I did however bake a quick and delicious bar this past weekend.
#344 Coconut Graham Squares
Layout some graham crackers on a 15x10x1 in pan. Melt some butter, and mix in sugar, milk and egg. Then add one coconut, nuts and cracker crumbs - spread it over the graham crackers, top with more crackers and put on a powdered sugar/butter/milk frosting - and you've got this dessert. A crowd pleaser!
Friday, June 8, 2018
Summer!
Last day of school today. Another year come and gone and another summer calendar filling up with fun activities. I did go ahead and sign up for two courses this summer to get my STEM certificate, but alas, I'll be returning to the same school as an ELL teacher.
So last week we participated in a city-wide garage sale. My son wanted to make some money so we let him have a lemonade stand. I had grand plans to make some cookies with him so he could sell those along with his lemonade (except it turned out to be water bottles and the individual lemonade mixes that he sold). However, I underestimated just how long it would take me to set up 20 + boxes of kids clothing; we didn't get to the cookies. Cookies would've been a good plan because as it turns out; in a 70 degree day with rain, people don't want to buy lemonade (or water bottles).
So the five batches in this last month:
#339 Coffee Chip Cookies
These cake-like cookies I was able to pass off as my gift to Mom for Mother's Day (she also got flowers that the kids picked out).
Even with coffee in these cookies - hubby gave them a 5 out of 5 smiley faces.
1 cup shortening
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup boiling water
2 tbs instant coffee granules
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine water and coffee; set aside. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee. Stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges. Remove to wire racks.
#340 Lacy Oat Sandwich Wafers
Another five smiley face cookie, although tricky to make. These cookies really spread and run right into each other, I had to use a knife to cut basically one large sheet of cookie into a bunch of cookies.
2/3 cup butter
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup corn syrup
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or any kind of chips)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter over low hear. Remove from heat. Stir in the oats, sugar, flour, milk and corn syrup; mix well.
Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely; peel cookies off paper or foil. Spread melted chocolate on the bottom of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies.
#341
Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Brownies
End of the school year means end of the school year celebrations. My oldest finished pre-K; as he tells everyone - he is ready for kindergarten in the fall.
#342 Lemon Oatmeal Cookies
Memorial Weekend, the official kick off to summer. If you want to hear how my family does Memorial Weekend, you can read this snippet from my sister's caring bridge page:
"Yesterday was Memorial Day. The normal Larson tradition for Memorial weekend involves spending the weekend at the family cabin. It's one of two weekends a summer when the ENTIRE family visits. By ENTIRE family, I mean all twenty of us - mom and dad, all four siblings, our spouses, 10 grandchildren, and four dogs, as well as the occasional significant other, friends, other relatives and random turtles, caterpillars, and/or frogs. I'm certain the entire state of Wisconsin is aware of our entrance into the summer season.
The weekend is spent with typical "first weekend of summer" activities. However, as we are Larson's, and as we are many, the atmosphere of the daily routines range between controlled chaos and the apocalypse. It is a true testament to our sparkling personalities that people visit the cabin on this weekend and still opt to marry into the family."
So last week we participated in a city-wide garage sale. My son wanted to make some money so we let him have a lemonade stand. I had grand plans to make some cookies with him so he could sell those along with his lemonade (except it turned out to be water bottles and the individual lemonade mixes that he sold). However, I underestimated just how long it would take me to set up 20 + boxes of kids clothing; we didn't get to the cookies. Cookies would've been a good plan because as it turns out; in a 70 degree day with rain, people don't want to buy lemonade (or water bottles).
So the five batches in this last month:
#339 Coffee Chip Cookies
These cake-like cookies I was able to pass off as my gift to Mom for Mother's Day (she also got flowers that the kids picked out).
Even with coffee in these cookies - hubby gave them a 5 out of 5 smiley faces.
1 cup shortening
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup boiling water
2 tbs instant coffee granules
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine water and coffee; set aside. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee. Stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges. Remove to wire racks.
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| Mother's Day gift from my kiddos (with help from their nanny - no way Daddy pulled that off). |
Another five smiley face cookie, although tricky to make. These cookies really spread and run right into each other, I had to use a knife to cut basically one large sheet of cookie into a bunch of cookies.
2/3 cup butter
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup corn syrup
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or any kind of chips)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter over low hear. Remove from heat. Stir in the oats, sugar, flour, milk and corn syrup; mix well.
Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely; peel cookies off paper or foil. Spread melted chocolate on the bottom of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies.
#341
Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Brownies
End of the school year means end of the school year celebrations. My oldest finished pre-K; as he tells everyone - he is ready for kindergarten in the fall.
#342 Lemon Oatmeal Cookies
Memorial Weekend, the official kick off to summer. If you want to hear how my family does Memorial Weekend, you can read this snippet from my sister's caring bridge page:
"Yesterday was Memorial Day. The normal Larson tradition for Memorial weekend involves spending the weekend at the family cabin. It's one of two weekends a summer when the ENTIRE family visits. By ENTIRE family, I mean all twenty of us - mom and dad, all four siblings, our spouses, 10 grandchildren, and four dogs, as well as the occasional significant other, friends, other relatives and random turtles, caterpillars, and/or frogs. I'm certain the entire state of Wisconsin is aware of our entrance into the summer season.
The weekend is spent with typical "first weekend of summer" activities. However, as we are Larson's, and as we are many, the atmosphere of the daily routines range between controlled chaos and the apocalypse. It is a true testament to our sparkling personalities that people visit the cabin on this weekend and still opt to marry into the family."
#343 Mexican Cookies
Again, end of the year means end of the year celebrations. My co-worked and I wrapped up our ELL groups with a little celebration. My students requested cookies. So I obliged. These were super easy and pretty good (especially if you don't burn the tortillas).
4 flour tortillas
1/2 cup chocolate chips (go milk free to make this recipe Vegan)
3/4 tsp shortening
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Cut each tortilla into eight wedges; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Meanwhile in a microwave or heavy saucepan; melt chocolate chips and shortening. Stir until smooth; keep warm. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine sugar and cinnamon. Add tortilla wedges a few at a time; shake to coat. Place on waxed paper and drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate until serving.
Again, end of the year means end of the year celebrations. My co-worked and I wrapped up our ELL groups with a little celebration. My students requested cookies. So I obliged. These were super easy and pretty good (especially if you don't burn the tortillas).
4 flour tortillas
1/2 cup chocolate chips (go milk free to make this recipe Vegan)
3/4 tsp shortening
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Cut each tortilla into eight wedges; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Meanwhile in a microwave or heavy saucepan; melt chocolate chips and shortening. Stir until smooth; keep warm. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine sugar and cinnamon. Add tortilla wedges a few at a time; shake to coat. Place on waxed paper and drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate until serving.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Spring! The most stressful time of the year
It's job search time again. Every spring jobs are posted for the next school year. This year I am not being "excessed" from my current position - Yay! However, I am considering a move. But like last year, this process is not easy.
I teach EL - I've been teaching EL for the last 7 school years. I'm also 1/2 time. At my old school (yep, the one that I talked about last year and what a stressful environment it is) - has a STEM position open. I really want to teach STEM. There are not many schools that offer STEM - and this is the only STEM position open. I want this position. I went to go apply to it. It should be that easy - just submit my resume and hit apply. It's not.
I won't bore you with all the details. In short, the principal put in extra requirements (that don't really make sense) and the application system won't let me apply. I've talked to the principal - she told me to apply. So now I have to go to HR to get them to change the system so I can apply.
Talk about deja vu. If you've been following my blog; last year I couldn't apply to any positions because I was on maternity leave and HR had a policy that if you were on any sort of medical leave, you could not apply to any jobs. So now for the 2nd year in a row, I have to deal with HR. #annoyed
So my poor family has had to deal with my somewhat crabby mood all weekend. Poor kids (and hubby). Maybe this batch of cookies will make it up to them. I also baked muffins.
#338 Coconut drop Cookies
This is a crisp oatmeal, coconut, walnut cookie.
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, being well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in coconut and walnuts.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly.
Bake at 350 for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.
I teach EL - I've been teaching EL for the last 7 school years. I'm also 1/2 time. At my old school (yep, the one that I talked about last year and what a stressful environment it is) - has a STEM position open. I really want to teach STEM. There are not many schools that offer STEM - and this is the only STEM position open. I want this position. I went to go apply to it. It should be that easy - just submit my resume and hit apply. It's not.
I won't bore you with all the details. In short, the principal put in extra requirements (that don't really make sense) and the application system won't let me apply. I've talked to the principal - she told me to apply. So now I have to go to HR to get them to change the system so I can apply.
Talk about deja vu. If you've been following my blog; last year I couldn't apply to any positions because I was on maternity leave and HR had a policy that if you were on any sort of medical leave, you could not apply to any jobs. So now for the 2nd year in a row, I have to deal with HR. #annoyed
So my poor family has had to deal with my somewhat crabby mood all weekend. Poor kids (and hubby). Maybe this batch of cookies will make it up to them. I also baked muffins.
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| Greek Yogurt Chocolate Banana Muffins Recipe from: chelseasmessyapron.com |
This is a crisp oatmeal, coconut, walnut cookie.
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, being well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in coconut and walnuts.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly.
Bake at 350 for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Snow Day - Yay!
This historic snowstorm of 20 inches (at least where we are) provided a good opportunity for cookies.
We spent the last three days staying inside. So with today's snow day - I got out to do errands (exciting) - thanks to our family nanny. So I was reenergized when I got back home and the boy and I made this yummy batch. He gave these a raving endorsement: "They're so good from the bottom of the earth all the way to space".
This historic snowstorm of 20 inches (at least where we are) provided a good opportunity for cookies.
We spent the last three days staying inside. So with today's snow day - I got out to do errands (exciting) - thanks to our family nanny. So I was reenergized when I got back home and the boy and I made this yummy batch. He gave these a raving endorsement: "They're so good from the bottom of the earth all the way to space".
#337 Chocolate Mint Cookies
Recipe:
1 1/4 cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsps vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
32 round thin chocolate-covered mint patties - (like thin mints or the Keebler Mint patties).
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating until mixture is well combined.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes or until puffy and tops are cracked. Invert half of the cookies onto wire racks. Immediately place a mint patty on each, then top with remaining cookies. Press lightly to seal.
Saturday, March 31, 2018
The movement is spreading
I was visiting my old school that I worked at up until last school year (we brought batch #335 along with us to share). A former co-worker was there with his daughters; he shared how they bought a cookie cookbook and are trying to do what I'm doing. Their cookbook has around 60 cookie recipes he thought and his girls and him are working their way through it.
Not exactly paying it forward, but certainly spreading the joy. Yay!
#334 Crispy Butter Cookies
I've baked a lot this month; not sure what has gotten into me. I've been craving sugar type cookies. For a few days there I thought there might be a chance I was pregnant; I was having mixed feelings about that. On one hand, my baby is almost 1 and she is so sweet and so chill; that I'm starting to have baby fever. On the other hand; life is getting easier finally and I'm looking forward to doing vacations with the kids and for life to move out of this stage.
Anyway, this cookie looked like those yummy peanut butter cookies - the one you roll into a ball and then make the criss-cross pattern with a fork. These cookies are not. They have very little taste to them. It did get me out of the sugar cookie craving.
#335 Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheels
I've decided that having the kids friends over is great. Before I thought it'd just be more work and I would end up getting nothing done. My son got to have his first friend over; without the moms having a playdate of our own ; ). It was fantastic - the kids all entertained themselves and I got cleaning done and this batch of cookies.
I really am no good at pinwheel cookies. I don't know how to get them rolled up tight enough; so then when I need to cut the roll, they get rather crumbly. But still tastes yummy.
#336 Almond Kiss Cookies
Not to be confused with the peanut butter cookie with a kiss on top - these look rather similar. My husband asked me why I was making these again. The big difference: almond extract (no peanut butter), the kiss has an almond inside of it and there is raspberry glaze on top.
It's also not as good as the peanut butter cookies with kisses in it, unless you really like almonds I guess.
Not exactly paying it forward, but certainly spreading the joy. Yay!
#334 Crispy Butter Cookies
I've baked a lot this month; not sure what has gotten into me. I've been craving sugar type cookies. For a few days there I thought there might be a chance I was pregnant; I was having mixed feelings about that. On one hand, my baby is almost 1 and she is so sweet and so chill; that I'm starting to have baby fever. On the other hand; life is getting easier finally and I'm looking forward to doing vacations with the kids and for life to move out of this stage.
Anyway, this cookie looked like those yummy peanut butter cookies - the one you roll into a ball and then make the criss-cross pattern with a fork. These cookies are not. They have very little taste to them. It did get me out of the sugar cookie craving.
#335 Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheels
I've decided that having the kids friends over is great. Before I thought it'd just be more work and I would end up getting nothing done. My son got to have his first friend over; without the moms having a playdate of our own ; ). It was fantastic - the kids all entertained themselves and I got cleaning done and this batch of cookies.
I really am no good at pinwheel cookies. I don't know how to get them rolled up tight enough; so then when I need to cut the roll, they get rather crumbly. But still tastes yummy.
#336 Almond Kiss Cookies
Not to be confused with the peanut butter cookie with a kiss on top - these look rather similar. My husband asked me why I was making these again. The big difference: almond extract (no peanut butter), the kiss has an almond inside of it and there is raspberry glaze on top.
It's also not as good as the peanut butter cookies with kisses in it, unless you really like almonds I guess.
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Happy St. Paddy's Day
I don't have a lick of Irish in me. My husband did the ancestry DNA thing and he actually does have a lick of Irish in him, a very tiny lick, so that means my kids do too. Doesn't matter, today is a day everyone can be Irish, right? Since having kids I find myself caring a lot about things that I overlooked before. It's amazing how the kids' excitement can rub off. I love Mickey Mouse now (before I thought it was kind of dorky), I regularly wear Superhero attire, our routines and traditions have taken on extra importance, and even those darn Paw Patrol characters are kind of cute. So today, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day with Shamrock Shakes at dinner and with this batch of cookies.
Recipe:
1 cup shortening
1 cup powder sugar
1 egg
1 tsp peppermint extract
2-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
Green food coloring and sugar
In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and extract. Add flour and salt; mix well. Tint with food coloring; mix well. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 in. thickness. Cut however you want to cut it - cookie cutter, by hand, whatever.
Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks.
#333 Shamrock Cookies
You'll see some Mickey's and Minnesota's mixed in with this batch. I actually only made 7 shamrocks. Believe it or not, I don't own a shamrock cookie cutter. I half heatedly looked for one at Cub, but I was unwilling to go anywhere else to hunt down a shamrock for this cookie that I wasn't actually planning on making today; but my 5 year old insisted we needed to have. So I printed off a shamrock from google images and hand cut out the 7 shamrocks in the dough. That's why the rest are shapes of cookie cutters we already owned.
Overall, a decent peppermint sugar cookie.
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| He insisted on using the candy cane cookie cutter so he could have a J for his name |
Recipe:
1 cup shortening
1 cup powder sugar
1 egg
1 tsp peppermint extract
2-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
Green food coloring and sugar
In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and extract. Add flour and salt; mix well. Tint with food coloring; mix well. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 in. thickness. Cut however you want to cut it - cookie cutter, by hand, whatever.
Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
For a simple cookie, kind of complicated
I think my oldest picked out this batch specifically for the sprinkles.
It is a slice and bake cookie, and in the directions it talks about how you can throw it in the freezer for up to 3 months. It gives directions then on how to unfreeze them and bake them. However, it does not give directions on if you wanted to bake them today. Per most slice and bake cookies, I stuck the rolls in the refrigerator for four hours - that seemed to work; they sliced just fine.
But who decides, I'm gonna start a batch of cookies today and throw them in the freezer for a couple of months, because I don't want to actually eat them today. Why start a batch then?
I also decided to compare side by side the air bake cookie sheet and a regular cookie sheet. The cookies on the air bake sheet were puffier and lighter colored than the regular sheet. But they also never looked like they were done. However, half of one batch on the regular sheet had to be thrown away because they spread too much and burned. So in this batch - the air bake method won over. I think I'm going to keep doing this side by side comparison.
This batch, #332 (named "versatile slice 'n' bake cookies) was also the first cookie I let my almost 11 month old have. She was all smiles.
It is a slice and bake cookie, and in the directions it talks about how you can throw it in the freezer for up to 3 months. It gives directions then on how to unfreeze them and bake them. However, it does not give directions on if you wanted to bake them today. Per most slice and bake cookies, I stuck the rolls in the refrigerator for four hours - that seemed to work; they sliced just fine.
But who decides, I'm gonna start a batch of cookies today and throw them in the freezer for a couple of months, because I don't want to actually eat them today. Why start a batch then?
I also decided to compare side by side the air bake cookie sheet and a regular cookie sheet. The cookies on the air bake sheet were puffier and lighter colored than the regular sheet. But they also never looked like they were done. However, half of one batch on the regular sheet had to be thrown away because they spread too much and burned. So in this batch - the air bake method won over. I think I'm going to keep doing this side by side comparison.
This batch, #332 (named "versatile slice 'n' bake cookies) was also the first cookie I let my almost 11 month old have. She was all smiles.
Obviously the kids liked decorating the cookies. This batch was fun because you could do just sprinkles (put those on before you bake) or bake the cookie and then spread melted chocolate chips for a frosting and we decided to add sprinkles on the chocolate (nuts are an option too).
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 -3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Optional toppings:
chopped mixed candied fruit
sprinkles - of all kinds
melted semi-sweet chocolate chips
chopped nuts
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt and gradually add.
Divide into 3 portions. If desired, add candied fruit to one portion. Shape each into a 5-in roll. If you want place in freezer bag for up to 3 months. If you want now, wrap in saran wrap and chill in fridge for four hours.
If frozen, remove from freezer 1 hour before baking.
Cut into 1/4 in slices. Bake on cookie sheet with cooking spray. If you want sprinkles (no chocolate) put on now. Otherwise bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes. Frost with melted chocolate chips afterwards.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Another construction update
We're oh so agonizingly close but things keep happening. I swear, construction may be the worst kind of torture. We had our cement flooring laid over our in floor heat almost a month ago. Carpet was lined up to be installed four days later. They came, but the cement flooring was not dry enough. So carpet installation was pushed back a week. A week passed and the concrete floor was still too wet. Another week later, carpet came - it was still too wet. Seriously - torture.
The siding (which was supposed to start last December) has been agonizing as well. They finally started (3 weeks after their 2nd supposed start date in January). They were supposed to finish by last Saturday (over a week ago). Then they'd for sure finish by this weekend. Now they say they're going to finish tomorrow (Monday). I wouldn't care as much about when they finished as they are not holding us back from moving into our addition, however, the dumpster that has been sitting here since the fall will leave as soon as they are done. And their trailor with all their supplies is parked on the other half of the driveway; meaning that we can not park our cars in our garage or even in our driveway - which makes it hard when it snows and the city will tow us if we are on the street. And it has snowed 10 inches in the last three days.
But I still gave the siding crew cookies (they were actually leftover from my work holiday party).
#331 Peanut Butter Maple Cookies
The crew loved these; we put out a plate and they were gone within an hour. We put out another plate and those got eaten quickly as well.
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tbs maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 pkg (10 oz) peanut butter chips
In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in syrup and vanilla. Add the flour, oats, baking powder and salt and mix well. Stir in chips.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325 for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks.
Makes about 5 dozen
The siding (which was supposed to start last December) has been agonizing as well. They finally started (3 weeks after their 2nd supposed start date in January). They were supposed to finish by last Saturday (over a week ago). Then they'd for sure finish by this weekend. Now they say they're going to finish tomorrow (Monday). I wouldn't care as much about when they finished as they are not holding us back from moving into our addition, however, the dumpster that has been sitting here since the fall will leave as soon as they are done. And their trailor with all their supplies is parked on the other half of the driveway; meaning that we can not park our cars in our garage or even in our driveway - which makes it hard when it snows and the city will tow us if we are on the street. And it has snowed 10 inches in the last three days.
But I still gave the siding crew cookies (they were actually leftover from my work holiday party).
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| The addition and our siding |
#331 Peanut Butter Maple Cookies
The crew loved these; we put out a plate and they were gone within an hour. We put out another plate and those got eaten quickly as well.
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tbs maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 pkg (10 oz) peanut butter chips
In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in syrup and vanilla. Add the flour, oats, baking powder and salt and mix well. Stir in chips.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325 for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks.
Makes about 5 dozen
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Legos! Legos, Legos and more legos. This actually has nothing to do with the 3 batches that I have made this month so far, but it is the current obsession in this household. And maybe I would have made more cookies this month so far if we weren't so busy building Legos.
Legos are seriously the best toy. I feel like no other toy is geared as equally to both boys and girls, are great "STEM" toys and after 60 years, is still the basic toy that it once was. Although as I was building with my now 5 year old boy, Legos do look a bit different than they did when I was little. Pretty much every piece would fall into my classification of "special pieces".
My mom has thousands of Legos (that mostly my brother and I collected throughout her childhood). I convinced her that she should let us divvy them up; as she likes having Legos but generally doesn't let the grandkids play with them because we have SOOOO many and they make a huge mess. So for the last 3 or 4 weeks, every chance I can get over there and build my sets to bring them home, I do. But with 3 kids (and one being a crawling infant that puts everything in her mouth); this project may take a while.
What set off the obsession? A Lego birthday party for my now 5 year old boy.
So what does this have to do with cookies? Nothing really. Except normally I would make cookies to go in the goodie bags. This year however I bought Lego molds and made Lego crayons and Lego gummies. And the kids got to make their own racecars and bring those home.
#329 Mocha Cookie Pretzels
These were fun to make. It looks like a pretzel, but is a chocolate, coffee cookie.
And 330 Cherry Shortbread Hearts
For Valentines Day. We didn't have "enough" with the dozen doughnuts I ran out and got in the morning and the candy I requested my husband to go buy the day after.
The Almond Pie bars were probably the best recipe out of this bunch. So here's the recipe:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cold butter, cubed
FILLING:
2 cups sugar
1 cup chopped almonds
2 tbs flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp almond extract
For the crust, combine flour and powdered sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into greased 13 in. x 9 in. baking pan.
Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine sugar, almonds, and flour; stir in remaining filling ingredients.
Pour over crust. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.
Legos are seriously the best toy. I feel like no other toy is geared as equally to both boys and girls, are great "STEM" toys and after 60 years, is still the basic toy that it once was. Although as I was building with my now 5 year old boy, Legos do look a bit different than they did when I was little. Pretty much every piece would fall into my classification of "special pieces".
My mom has thousands of Legos (that mostly my brother and I collected throughout her childhood). I convinced her that she should let us divvy them up; as she likes having Legos but generally doesn't let the grandkids play with them because we have SOOOO many and they make a huge mess. So for the last 3 or 4 weeks, every chance I can get over there and build my sets to bring them home, I do. But with 3 kids (and one being a crawling infant that puts everything in her mouth); this project may take a while.
What set off the obsession? A Lego birthday party for my now 5 year old boy.
So nothing to do with LEGOS, but Batch number 328:
Almond Pie Bars:
Another cookie for work. Pretty much as described. Like almond pie but as a bar.
#329 Mocha Cookie Pretzels
These were fun to make. It looks like a pretzel, but is a chocolate, coffee cookie.
And 330 Cherry Shortbread Hearts
For Valentines Day. We didn't have "enough" with the dozen doughnuts I ran out and got in the morning and the candy I requested my husband to go buy the day after.
The Almond Pie bars were probably the best recipe out of this bunch. So here's the recipe:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cold butter, cubed
FILLING:
2 cups sugar
1 cup chopped almonds
2 tbs flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp almond extract
For the crust, combine flour and powdered sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into greased 13 in. x 9 in. baking pan.
Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine sugar, almonds, and flour; stir in remaining filling ingredients.
Pour over crust. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Post Holiday Wind Down
Will it ever end?!! We've had construction going on in this house for over a year now. Last year at this time, we were close to finishing up the remodel of our basement. Figuring out carpet was a pain in the butt. When the installers came to install it, they brought the wrong carpet. We had a party the following weekend, and they had to reorder the carpet and we didn't have our basement ready for the party. Fast forward a year, and I'm trying to figure out carpeting (for the bedroom addition). Let's just say it can be hard when you have family involved (giving you free labor and their opinions and wants as well).
I've learned in construction you can choose 2 of the 3: fast, good and cheap. Lately, I'm not sure if we have any. We certainly have never had fast. We usually have good - although when my contractor questions the way my dad (the free labor) does things and says that's not what is normally done - not sure if we have good. And cheap - the free labor - yes. But dang - hiring out siding, demolition, sheetrock, roofing, - that adds up.
I have managed to make a few cookies this past month.
#325 Caramel-filled Chocolate Cookies
It's hard for me to wind down in January. I'm naturally an extrovert and when I go from party every weekend to absolutely nothing - I find myself bugging people to get together. I needed a girls night and fortunately it worked out for my friends and I to get together. And these cookies with a surprise middle were too tempting for anyone to resist.
1 cup butter, softenend 3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 cup plus 1 tbs sugar, divided 1 tsp baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar 1-1/4 cups chopped pecans, divided
2 eggs 1 pkg (13 oz) Rolos
1 tsp vanilla extract 4 squares (1 oz each) white baking 2-1/2 cups flour chocolate
In a large bowl, cream butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans.
Shape a tablespoonful of dough around each candy, forming a ball in a small bowl, combine the remaining sugar and pecans; dip each cookie halfway. Place nut side up 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 375 or 7-10 minutes or until tops are slightly cracked. Cool for 3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
In a microwave, melt white chocolate at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10-20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over cookies.
#326 Cherry Icebox Cookies
There have been treats all year at my workplace, but I generally don't get any (treat day is Wednesday and I don't work Wednesdays). I volunteered anyways to bring treat one day (because then I get to cross a cookie off from the book).
This recipe that supposedly makes 6 dozen seemed like a good fit. They'd store well (since I was delivering the treat a day early) and it was a little different. However, do the math:
I had to make four 12 inch rolls (this is a slice and bake cookie). Then with every 12 inch roll, I have to cut 1/4 inch slices. So that winds up to be 48 cookies per each roll. Times that by 4. That's a lot more than 6 dozen.
But all except about 5 were eaten, so I guess I made the right amount for my co-workers.
#327 Double Frosted Brownies
I hope everyone has that friend that you can say anything and everything to. The one that is there for you for anything, the one that makes you pee your pant laughing, and the one that is the bad influence on you (in a good way). I have that friend and was so excited for our girls weekend. I think I slept a total of 8 hours over the two nights (kids woke me up at 6:30am after I stayed up until 4 am), but it's worth it.
Made these yummy brownies for the weekend:
4 eggs Frosting:
1 cup canola oil 1 can (16oz) vanilla frosting
1-1/2 cups sugar 1 tbs rum extract
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water Glaze:
2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups flour 1 tbs canola oil
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugars, water and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt and walnuts; stir into egg mixture until blended.
Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until center is set. Cool on a wire rack. Combine frosting and extract; spread over brownies. Chill for 30 minutes.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and oil; stir until smooth. Drizzle over frosting. Let stand until set before cutting.
I've learned in construction you can choose 2 of the 3: fast, good and cheap. Lately, I'm not sure if we have any. We certainly have never had fast. We usually have good - although when my contractor questions the way my dad (the free labor) does things and says that's not what is normally done - not sure if we have good. And cheap - the free labor - yes. But dang - hiring out siding, demolition, sheetrock, roofing, - that adds up.
I have managed to make a few cookies this past month.
#325 Caramel-filled Chocolate Cookies
It's hard for me to wind down in January. I'm naturally an extrovert and when I go from party every weekend to absolutely nothing - I find myself bugging people to get together. I needed a girls night and fortunately it worked out for my friends and I to get together. And these cookies with a surprise middle were too tempting for anyone to resist.
1 cup butter, softenend 3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 cup plus 1 tbs sugar, divided 1 tsp baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar 1-1/4 cups chopped pecans, divided
2 eggs 1 pkg (13 oz) Rolos
1 tsp vanilla extract 4 squares (1 oz each) white baking 2-1/2 cups flour chocolate
In a large bowl, cream butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans.
Shape a tablespoonful of dough around each candy, forming a ball in a small bowl, combine the remaining sugar and pecans; dip each cookie halfway. Place nut side up 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 375 or 7-10 minutes or until tops are slightly cracked. Cool for 3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
In a microwave, melt white chocolate at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10-20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over cookies.
#326 Cherry Icebox Cookies
There have been treats all year at my workplace, but I generally don't get any (treat day is Wednesday and I don't work Wednesdays). I volunteered anyways to bring treat one day (because then I get to cross a cookie off from the book).
This recipe that supposedly makes 6 dozen seemed like a good fit. They'd store well (since I was delivering the treat a day early) and it was a little different. However, do the math:
I had to make four 12 inch rolls (this is a slice and bake cookie). Then with every 12 inch roll, I have to cut 1/4 inch slices. So that winds up to be 48 cookies per each roll. Times that by 4. That's a lot more than 6 dozen.
But all except about 5 were eaten, so I guess I made the right amount for my co-workers.
#327 Double Frosted Brownies
I hope everyone has that friend that you can say anything and everything to. The one that is there for you for anything, the one that makes you pee your pant laughing, and the one that is the bad influence on you (in a good way). I have that friend and was so excited for our girls weekend. I think I slept a total of 8 hours over the two nights (kids woke me up at 6:30am after I stayed up until 4 am), but it's worth it.
Made these yummy brownies for the weekend:
4 eggs Frosting:
1 cup canola oil 1 can (16oz) vanilla frosting
1-1/2 cups sugar 1 tbs rum extract
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water Glaze:
2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups flour 1 tbs canola oil
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugars, water and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt and walnuts; stir into egg mixture until blended.
Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until center is set. Cool on a wire rack. Combine frosting and extract; spread over brownies. Chill for 30 minutes.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and oil; stir until smooth. Drizzle over frosting. Let stand until set before cutting.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Trying to slow down
All right, its 2018, another January and another chance to refresh. I'm sitting here in the middle of the day (as the girls take their naps and I let my boy play ipad); thinking about how I really am going to slow down this year. I'm really going to take time for me and not fill all of my time with to do lists. It's really easy to think like that as I have an extra week off from work (we don't go back to school until the 8th) and I have all my current to do lists done. I'm not all that optimistic about being able to actually slow down - as my house is still under construction - but one can hope.
I did slow down the cookie baking this holiday season. I only made seven batches this season rather than my normal 9-12 batches.
#318 Chocolate Mint Creams
I was super excited about this (obviously) chocolatey minty cookie. But the cookie was more like a chocolate wafer and the cream (mint frosting) just didn't seem to be the right texture to go with the thin wafer. Still, not bad. We had an early Christmas party and as I realized (too late); most of my cookies that I picked for this year, don't freeze well. So I made this batch and only frosted half of them and froze the other half (and frosted later).
Does anyone know, can you freeze cookies with frosting? Most of the frostings that are used in this book have some dairy in it, and I've heard that you shouldn't freeze dairy.
#319 Cinnamon-Sugar Crackle Cookies
Basically a snicker-doodle and this years big hit. I found out my husband just kept snacking on these - barely had enough to share by Christmas.
#320 Candied Orange Date Bars
Whoops - Christmas Pageant and then the potluck. I forgot to include that when I planned out which cookies I was making this season. So this one got thrown in. I was more than happy to give these away. Nobody in this household is a big date fan. Essentially a date bar - with an interesting twist with orange candy slices.
#321 Brown Sugar Cutouts
I feel like it's a rule, every Christmas I have to make a cookie cutter cookie. I don't like making cookie cutter cookies; it's labor intensive. But I think I have to. Plus, now my 4 year old feels like these are the cookies that we have to give to Santa. This book has plenty of cookie cutter recipes so I have to anyway and I guess it's nice to get it off the list. But why do all Christmas cookies seem to be so much more complicated than regular cookies. I'm all ready making more cookies than I usually do during the holiday season; why do they need to be harder.
#322 Raspberry Ribbons
These must be okay - Mike gave them a 2 - but he hates raspberry. Most raspberry cookies he gives a 1. These are fancy cookies, but delicate. They kept breaking in half.
#323 Star Sandwich Cookies
These were really yummy ones too but also a cutout cookie. They were also a sandwich cookie, so you go through all the effort of a cutout cookie just to wind up with half the number of cookies, because it takes two cookies to make one (two cookies with frosting in between). Very pretty with red frosting and red sprinkles.
#324 Caramel Tassies
I was really hoping these wouldn't be good cookies, because they were ridicuolously difficult - I ended up throwing a little less than half the batter away because I didn't want to make anymore (or maybe they only seemed so difficult because I ended up coming down with the stomach flu that day). This batch says it makes 4 dozen - but I used over half the batter and I only made about 12. You have to take the batter, roll it into balls and then try to push it into mini muffin pans. Then of course you make a caramel filling, fill the cookie. On top of that, need to make a frosting and pipe that on top of the filling.
Unfortunately, these are delicious. I'm going to go eat the last one that's left in the fridge right now.
I did slow down the cookie baking this holiday season. I only made seven batches this season rather than my normal 9-12 batches.
#318 Chocolate Mint Creams
I was super excited about this (obviously) chocolatey minty cookie. But the cookie was more like a chocolate wafer and the cream (mint frosting) just didn't seem to be the right texture to go with the thin wafer. Still, not bad. We had an early Christmas party and as I realized (too late); most of my cookies that I picked for this year, don't freeze well. So I made this batch and only frosted half of them and froze the other half (and frosted later).
Does anyone know, can you freeze cookies with frosting? Most of the frostings that are used in this book have some dairy in it, and I've heard that you shouldn't freeze dairy.
#319 Cinnamon-Sugar Crackle Cookies
Basically a snicker-doodle and this years big hit. I found out my husband just kept snacking on these - barely had enough to share by Christmas.
#320 Candied Orange Date Bars
Whoops - Christmas Pageant and then the potluck. I forgot to include that when I planned out which cookies I was making this season. So this one got thrown in. I was more than happy to give these away. Nobody in this household is a big date fan. Essentially a date bar - with an interesting twist with orange candy slices.
#321 Brown Sugar Cutouts
I feel like it's a rule, every Christmas I have to make a cookie cutter cookie. I don't like making cookie cutter cookies; it's labor intensive. But I think I have to. Plus, now my 4 year old feels like these are the cookies that we have to give to Santa. This book has plenty of cookie cutter recipes so I have to anyway and I guess it's nice to get it off the list. But why do all Christmas cookies seem to be so much more complicated than regular cookies. I'm all ready making more cookies than I usually do during the holiday season; why do they need to be harder.
#322 Raspberry Ribbons
These must be okay - Mike gave them a 2 - but he hates raspberry. Most raspberry cookies he gives a 1. These are fancy cookies, but delicate. They kept breaking in half.
#323 Star Sandwich Cookies
These were really yummy ones too but also a cutout cookie. They were also a sandwich cookie, so you go through all the effort of a cutout cookie just to wind up with half the number of cookies, because it takes two cookies to make one (two cookies with frosting in between). Very pretty with red frosting and red sprinkles.
#324 Caramel Tassies
I was really hoping these wouldn't be good cookies, because they were ridicuolously difficult - I ended up throwing a little less than half the batter away because I didn't want to make anymore (or maybe they only seemed so difficult because I ended up coming down with the stomach flu that day). This batch says it makes 4 dozen - but I used over half the batter and I only made about 12. You have to take the batter, roll it into balls and then try to push it into mini muffin pans. Then of course you make a caramel filling, fill the cookie. On top of that, need to make a frosting and pipe that on top of the filling.
Unfortunately, these are delicious. I'm going to go eat the last one that's left in the fridge right now.
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