Girl's Weekend

Is there anything better for a Mom of 3 to get away to the cabin sans kids with adult friends?  There might be, but I can't think of anything right now.  Would it have been better if I remembered the batch of cookies I made beforehand for the weekend (that I stuck in the freezer), perhaps, but we seemed to tide ourselves over just fine with the Debbie cakes, 6-7 bags of chips, candy, and Snicker's bars. 


#379 Raspberry nut pinwheels
This rather plain butter slice and bake cookie was fun to make, but Mike and I rated them a 2 and a 1 respectively; maybe it's okay that they were left in the freezer.  The teachers that benefited from the batch did comment on how good they were though.  Maybe they were just being polite. 

Spa day!

#380 Crispy Cereal Meringues
Your typical meringue cookie but with chocolate rice krispies and a drizzle of chocolate on top. 
These were very popular, good thing I didn't forget this batch.

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
2 cups chocolate flavored crisp rice cereal
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp vegetable shortening

In a large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form, about 6 minutes.  Fold in cereal.  

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 1 in. apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray.  Bake at 300 for 35-40 minutes or until firm to the touch.  Remove to wire racks to cool.  

In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt the chocolate chips with the shortening.  Transfer to a small resealable bag plastic bag; cut a small hole in the corner of the bag.  Drizzle melted chocolate over meringues.  Place on waxed paper to set.  

Coaches, church and Super Bowl Party

We survived the 2019 Polar Vortex and I was ready to be out of the kitchen after those last batches I posted about.  Then that night I remembered, I need to make a batch for my son's basketball coaches - season ending.  Then someone from church called and asked if I could make a batch for coffee hour for this Sunday.  Lastly, our annual Super Bowl party, I should have some cookies.

So back to the kitchen for 3 more batches.

#375 Chocolate Puddles  and #376 Dipped Spice Cookies

My 5 year old son joined our local basketball league this season.  His volunteer coaches went above and beyond.  Great communication, great team building and great end of the year party ; ).  They brought the kids out to Davanni's and are bringing the team to a Timberwolves game (and got each of the boys a Timberwolves sweatshirt).  Crazy above and beyond.

Chocolate Puddles
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp baking soda

Filling:
1 cup vanilla chips (or replace with pb chips)
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup coarsely chopped mixed nuts (or replace with peanuts)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars.  Add the eggs, one at a time.  Beat in vanilla.  Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture.  Cover and chill for 2 hours or until dough is stiff.  

Melt chips with milk in a heavy saucepan over low heat; stir constantly.  Stir in nuts.  Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Roll cookie dough into 1 1/4 inch balls.  Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets.  Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center; smooth any cracks.  Roll filling into 1/2 in balls; gently push one into each cookie.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are set.  Remove to wire racks to cool.

#377 Jeweled Coconut Drops
Cookie dough mixed with coconut and rolled in coconut.  Lots of coconut, with a little dollop of raspberry jam. 

* After making and blogging about these cookies yesterday; I decided we needed another batch for the Super Bowl party.  So 6 batches in 7 days; that's a lot of batches. 

#378 Frosted Chocolate Chip Brownies
Just a quick brownie recipe with yummy yummy chocolate chip/sour cream/powdered sugar frosting.  I'm assuming the brownies will be delish, but I know the frosting is excellent.  No way was I not gonna lick up that bowl after done frosting the brownies.