Baklava Cookies

My first bite of these cookies, warm out of the heaven, was a heavenly experience!  You just gotta eat 'em warm.  They're still good once they've cooled, but warm? Holy Macaroni!--as my 7-year old would say. :)

To learn more about how you can get Thrive ingredients in YOUR kitchen, visit my website.

(This pic was submitted by me to the Thrive Life recipe site and is labelled with my Thrive Life website url.)

Ingredients:
6 tbsp. butter
 3/4 c. THRIVE Powdered Sugar
 5 tbsp. THRIVE Honey Crystals
1 tbsp. water
1 c. almonds or walnuts, finely chopped
 1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
 1 c. butter, softened
 2 tbsp. water
 1 egg
 3 1/3 c. THRIVE Vanilla Sugar Cookie Mix

Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, melt the 6 T. of butter over low heat. Stir in the powdered sugar, honey crystals, and 1 T. of water.
2. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and add nuts and cinnamon. Set aside to cool for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
4. In a mixer, cream the 1 cup of butter for a few minutes until smooth and fluffy. Add in 2 T. water and egg and mix well, scraping down sides part way through.
5. Add in the sugar cookie mix. Mix well, until dough begins to clean the sides of the bowl.
6. Using a 1.25"-diameter cookie scoop, place cookie dough on cookie sheet leaving 2" spacing around each cookie.
7. Bake for 10 minutes.
8. Remove cookie sheet from oven and top each cookie with 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon of the nut mixture.
9. Return cookies to oven and bake for 3 minutes.
10. Allow to cool on the pan for a few minutes, then remove cookies to a wire rack to cool.

To use this recipe without Thrive cookie mix, substitute your own cookie recipe, mix, or dough for the last four ingredients.  To use without Thrive honey crystals, use 4-5 tablespoons of honey.

Decadent Skillet Cookie

Don't those cookie skillet desserts at your favorite restaurants look amazing?  Sometimes they actually taste amazing too, but sometimes that little skillet is a fake!  Make the real deal with this easy, decadent recipe.

You may even get a "this is one of the best desserts I've ever had" compliment like I did tonight!

(To learn more about using Thrive foods in your cooking, visit my Thrive online store.
To view all my Thrive recipes, visit my "chef page" on the Thrive recipe site.)

Ingredients:

1 c. butter, softened
 3 1/3 c. THRIVE Classic Cookie Dough Mix
 2 1/2 tbsp. water
 1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
 9 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce 
 1/4 c. butter
 1 1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
 3/4 c. THRIVE Cane Sugar
 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
 1/4 c. heavy cream
 1/8 tsp. THRIVE Iodized Salt
 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Peanut Butter Sauce 
 1 c. Creamy Peanut Butter

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter in mixer until light and fluffy. Add in cookie dough mix and water and mix well. Add in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and mix until chips are well distributed.
3. Divide dough in half. Place half into greased cast iron skillet, patting to spread dough evenly across bottom and up the sides a little.
4. Place unwrapped Reese's cups atop the cookie dough. Fill in the spaces between the peanut butter cups with the 1 cup of chocolate chips. Place the remaining cookie dough over the top, spreading evenly to cover.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until edges are brown.

Sauces
1. To make the chocolate sauce, melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
2. Add sugar, cocoa, heavy cream, and salt. Stir until combined.
3. Bring slowly to a low boil, stirring only once or twice to make sure sugar has dissolved.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

To "make" peanut butter sauce, place peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30-45 seconds until peanut butter is runny.

To Serve
1.  Scoop out some cookie, top with ice cream and sauces. Serve immediately.
2. Prepare yourself to receive praise.

Brownie Cookies

There is this bakery in town that has some of the most delicious goodies out there.  And their sandwiches and salads are pretty darn good, too.  Anyway, one of my favorites things there is their brownie cookie.  Oh my crispy, chewy goodness.  Yes, very good.  I don't have a recipe to make them at home, but I do have a box of brownie mix--with a brownie cookie recipe right on the box, baby!  Just thought I would try those out and they did not disappoint.  Try some for yourself with your own brownie mix or recipe.  The only difference is to cut down on the oil.  And of course, you don't bake the cookies as long as the brownies. That would not be a good thing, at all.

Ingredients:
1 pkg. brownie mix
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used coconut oil)
1 T. water
chopped nuts pecans (we always add these to brownies)

1.  Make mix according to directions on the box.
2.  Drop by tablespoonfuls onto parchment lined cookie sheet.  Definitely use this measurement.  The first time I made these I used a small cookie scoop and they were too big and ran together.
3.  Bake at 325 degrees for 12-14 minutes, until the edges have crisped.  Don't over bake.
4.  Cool on wire rack.
5.  Enjoy!

Here's a tip!  Melt peanut butter in the microwave and drizzle over your cookie.  My son-in-law was at the house when I baked this batch, and he requested the peanut butter.

Source:  Betty Crocker Ultimate Brownie Mix

Aggression Cookies

Hey everyone! I am just bringing back and oldie but a goodie--literally.  Due to a busy week ahead, I thought it would be fun to repost this yummy cookie recipe.  Hope you enjoy.  Maybe you could even whip up a batch and have ready for those school lunches or after school "cookie talks" with the kiddos!

Do you ever just want to stick your hands down into something squishy and just work it until you've gotten rid of all those pent-up complaints/murmurings/naggings/why-can't-you-put-the-toilet-paper-on-the-holders/pick-up-your-clothes-I-am-not-your-maids?  Yes ma'am, this is your kind of recipe.  Check it out.  I apologize for not having a picture of me mixing my dough, but I am no good at selfies and I was by "myselfie" at the time.

Ingredients:
3 cups brown sugar, packed
6 cups quick cooking oats
3 cups flour
6 sticks butter, very soft (almost melted)
1 T. baking soda

1.  Put all ingredients in a huge bowl and mix by hand until well incorporated, or until the smile returns to your face.  LOL...

2.  Form dough into small balls (smaller than a walnut in the shell) and place on ungreased cookie sheet (I like to use parchment paper on the sheets.). 

3.  Butter the bottom of a small glass, dip into granulated sugar and press each cookie ball.  Re-dip glass in sugar each time.

4.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.

5.  Makes about 11 dozen cookies.

Source:  Pat Brew, Brew Family Cookbook, Vol. 2.

Almond Butter Quinoa Brownies

I am not saying that I have jumped on the quinoa bandwagon, but I got a free "Eating Well" magazine in the mail this past week and was just flipping through it and left it open on the kitchen island.  Next thing you know I have a request to make these lovelies.  Okay, I was game.  These are actually pretty good.  And I had all of the ingredients on-hand, including a hand-crank grinder that I haven't used in forever*.  Pretty handy little tool, really.  Mental note to use this more often.  

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (I used salted because that is what I had.  Paula Deen says that's okay.)

3/4 cup smooth or crunchy natural almond butter

2 large eggs

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

3/4 cup quinoa flour (I used my hand-crank grinder to make this)

1 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil allowing it to slightly overhang on opposite ends so you have "handles" to lift the blondies out of the pan.  Coat the foil with cooking spray. Seriously. These things are a little sticky when you cut them and pull them off of the foil.

2.  Beat butter and almond butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until creamy.  Beat in eggs, brown sugar and vanilla.  Whisk quinoa flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.

3.  Mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.

4.  Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake about 25 minutes--until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs on it.  DO NOT OVER BAKE.

5.  Remove from oven and let cool about 45 minutes in the pan.  Lift the blondies out of the pan with the foil  and transfer to a cutting board.  Let cool completely and cut into bars.

6.  Makes 24 blondies.

7.  These should keep up to 5 days in the fridge, in an air-tight container.

*Check out this cool grinder...

SOURCE:  Eating Well Magazine.

Candy Corn Cookies

Now, I'm normally a "make it from scratch" kind of girl.  But sometimes, well, you just don't have the time or energy.  I had planned to make these cookies from scratch but then thought, "You know, it's just as wonderful to have a time-saving way to make something cute as it is to have a scratch way to make something cute!"

So, if you're the type of person who loves ideas using convenience foods, you'll love this.

Ingredients:
2 logs of sugar cookie dough
food coloring

1.  Preheat oven according to dough directions.  Unwrap logs of dough.  Set aside about 1/3 of the dough.  Take the other 1/3's and place into two small mixing bowls.  Color one of the 1/3's orange and the other yellow.  (I used gel food coloring in orange and yellow because that's what I had.  If you have liquid food coloring, use yellow and then yellow/red to make orange.)
2.  Line a loaf pan with a large sheet of wax paper (you want it to cover all the sides, not just the bottom...and allow some to hang over the sides).  Press the uncolored cookie dough into the bottom of the paper-lined loaf pan.  Make sure it's even.  Then do the orange, then the yellow so that you have three even layers.  Fold the wax paper down over the top of the dough and press to help the layers be even and also to adhere them to each other well.  Chill for an hour.
3.  Use the paper to lift out the dough from the loaf pan.  Remove the paper.  With the dough on a cutting board, carefully cut the dough into slices about 1/3-inch thick.  Cut each slice into little candy corn shaped wedges (also known as triangles!).  Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, two inches apart.
4.  Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just barely starting to get golden brown.  Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.  Then carefully remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

I could have sworn I had a picture of the loaf slice cut into diagonal candy corn shaped wedges, but apparently I did not.  Sorry!

These cookies are a little on the small side, but 2 logs makes a lot of them.  I only had time to cut and bake a few of the slices and that was over 2 dozen.  The rest of the dough I put back in the fridge to use later.

Source:  idea from Kathie Cooks

Heavenly Hash Donut Blondies

You know I just had to try this recipe from the name alone!  You are going to think the ingredients are insane.......and they are.  Just be forewarned that they are super sweet.  I used dark fudge for the frosting but I would recommend using a milder milk chocolate.  Enjoy this food adventure!

Ingredients:

• 2 regular size packages of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
• 2 jumbo Hershey cookies and cream chocolate candy bars
• 1 7 oz. jar marshmallow fluff
• about 20 donut holes, halved
• about 1/2 cup chocolate icing (canned works)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line and 8x8 pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan.  Mist the foil with cooking spray.
2. Gently press one package of the cookie dough evenly onto the bottom of the pan.  Top with the chocolate bars, breaking the pieces to fit as evenly as you can to cover the surface of the cookie dough.  Top with an even layer of the marshmallow fluff.   
3. Top the marshmallow fluff with the halved donut holes, covering the surface evenly.  Lastly, break apart and spread the remaining package of cookie dough to cover the tops of the donut layer.  If the donuts peek through, that's okay.
4. Bake for approx. 25-28 minutes or until the top is golden brown and mostly set.  Allow to cool completely at room temperature before putting in the fridge to set, about 2 hours. They really DO need to set in order to come together, or else they'll be a gooey mess (not as good as it sounds).
5. After it's cooled,  drizzle on some melted chocolate icing for extra garnish.
6. Cut into bars and serve.  Store covered, airtight, in the fridge.

Source:  thedomesticrebel.com

Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

Ingredients:

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 1 /3 c. flour
3 T. baking cocoa
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chopped nuts, optional
4 c. miniature marshmallows

Topping:

1 1/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter
3 T. butter
2 c. Rice Krispies

Directions:

1.  In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in vanilla.

2.  Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.  Stir in nuts if desired.  Spread in a greased 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pan.

3.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until set.  Sprinkle with marshmallows; bake 2-3 minutes longer or until melted.  Place pan on a wire rack.  Using a knife dipped in water, spread marshmallows evenly over the top.  Cool completely.

4.  For topping, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a small saucepan.  Cook and stir over low heat until blended.  Remove from the heat; stir in Rice Krispies.  Spread over bars immediately.  Chill until set.

Source:  tasteofhome.com

Nutella Cookies

The original recipe calls for a filling, which we have used before as a frosting.  Didn't use it this time but I've included it in case you would like to try it.  I've also just made a simple chocolate frosting to use on these.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Nutella
sugar for sprinkling

1.  Whisk flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl and set aside.
2.  In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugars.  Add the egg and scrape sides of bowl.  Add the Nutella until well combined.  Mix in vanilla.
3.  Add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
4.  Using a scoop or your hands, form cookie dough into balls.  Place on parchment on a baking sheet a couple of inches apart.  Press tops of cookie balls with a fork and sprinkle with sugar.
5.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Allow to cool completely on racks.  Frost or fill (or eat plain!).

Filling/Frosting6 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch salt
3/4 cup Marshmallow Creme
1/2 cup Nutella

1.  Cream butter and sugar together, then add vanilla and salt and mix well.
2.  Mix together the Marshmallow Creme and Nutella with a whisk until it's light and fluffy.  You can add more powdered sugar if the mixture is not thick enough to spread.
3.  Use 1-2 Tbsp. of filling on half the cookies, then top each filled cookie with a plain cookie OR just frost all the cookies!

Makes about 2 dozen thin cookies

Source:  Wish I could remember......somewhere on Pinterest!!  Not my recipe, though.  If I can find it I'll update here to link to the original site.

Avalanche Bars

These glorified rice krispy treats are so yummy because of the addition of peanut butter and mini chocolate chips and white chocolate chips.  You just gotta try 'em!

Ingredients:

12 oz. bag of white chocolate chips
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
3 c. Rice Krispies
1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows
1/4 c. mini chocolate chips + 2 T. for garnish

Directions:

1.  Lightly grease a 9x9 pan.

2.  In a microwave safe bowl pour in white chips and heat on 50% power for 1 minute.  Stir and continue in 30 second increments until chips are melted.

3.  Combine the peanut butter with the melted chips and add the krispies.

4.  Let cool approx. 15-20 minutes stirring every 5 minutes or so to help cool.

5.  Add the marshmallows and the mini chocoloate chips and stir to combine.

6.  Pour mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly, pressing lightly with the back of your spoon, but do not compact too much, otherwise they will get hard.

7.  Press the remaining chocolate chips into the top for garnish.

8.  When the bars are completely cooled cut into squares and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars

Yes, this is for real!! The only thing that would make this better is to have brownies in it somewhere! I'm working on that one next.

Ingredients:
Batch of homemade chocolate chip cookie dough (or ready made cookie dough) 
2 8-oz packages of cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar

Directions:
1. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish (or whatever size you have!) with non-stick baking spray.

2. Take 3/4 of the cookie dough and press it into the pan like a crust. You will want to go about halfway up the sides of the dish with the dough.

3. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, eggs and sugar until smooth and well mixed.

4. Pour cream cheese mixture into cookie dough crust.

5. Drop remaining cookie dough in balls or clumps on top of the cream cheese mixture. 

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, or until the cookie is done and the cream cheese mixture has set. I prefer mine just barely done. I do not like it overcooked. 

7. Let it cool, then place it in refrigerator to chill for a few hours before serving. DELICIOUS!!

Notes:
1. If using prepared cookie dough, you might need 2 large rolls of dough or a tub of it from Sam's Club.

2. Brownies must find their way into this dessert, and then I will have my 3 favorite sweet treats in one heavenly dessert. I was thinking of putting brownie batter blobs on top of the cream cheese mixture instead of the remaining cookie dough. Mmmmm...Let me know if you try it!

Source: This recipe comes from one of the most wonderful, talented teenagers I know: Madilyn Johansen. Thanks for this delicious recipe, and for making it for us!

Cookie Bars

I have trouble finding the energy to make cookies.  I have never enjoyed taking batches out and putting them back in over and over and over again.  Lucky for my kids I found making cookie bars to be much easier and is now pretty much the only way I make cookies.

It is simple!  Take your favorite cookie recipe that makes approximately 5 dozen cookies, follow the directions but add 1/4 cup cornstarch to the dry ingredients (this helps keep the cookies soft).  Press dough into a greased 15x10 inch jelly-roll pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 mins.

Enjoy!

Black Bottom Coconut Bars

    Do you like Brownies? Do you like Coconut Macaroons? Then you will LOVE this dessert! These are wonderful, they don't take a lot of ingredients, and they have a definite WOW factor at any gathering. I inevitably get asked for this recipe. Thank you Martha Stewart.

Ingredients

For Brownie Base

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

For Coconut Topping

• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (real really is best)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
• 1 package sweetened shredded coconut (7 ounces), 1/2 cup reserved for sprinkling

Directions

      For chocolate base: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving a slight overhang; butter bottom and sides of foil (not overhang). Melt butter in large microwave safe bowl in microwave. Add sugar and salt; whisk to combine. Whisk in egg, then cocoa and flour until smooth. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake just until sides begin to pull away from edges of pan, 10 to 15 minutes (do not overbake). Let cool slightly while preparing topping. (Keep oven on).

 

    For coconut topping: In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, sugar and vanilla. Gently mix in flour and coconut (except 1/2 cup reserved for sprinkling). Drop mounds of mixture over chocolate base; spread and pat in gently and evenly with moistened fingers. Sprinkle with reserved 1/2 cup coconut. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Lift cake from pan, peel off foil, and cut into 24 bars.

 

Source: Martha Stewart Everyday food

Nutella Cups

 

Imagine a chocolate chip cookie, without the chips, in a mini cup shape filled with Nutella. That is what you get with these little devils. They are so rich and so delicious! 

Nutella Cups
Ingredients

1 cup butter (softened)

1 cup white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Jar of Nutella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease your mini muffin tin.
Cream butter and both sugars in bowl until light, smooth and fluffy! Beat in eggs and vanilla until fully incorporated. Gradually add dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda) until all the flour is mixed in!
Put a hunk of dough in each mini muffin tin and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown but not too dark around the edges.
When done, remove from oven and let sit for about 2 minutes. Then make wells for the nutella with a tart shaper or a similar object or a spoon. Add 1 dollop of  Nutella to each cup – it will start to melt quickly so you can swirl it around and make it nice and smooth.
Let cool 15-20 minutes in tin.


Source 

Turtle Cookies

Turtle Cookies

    These might be my new favorite cookie! They are soft, the caramel is gooey, and aren't they pretty? The perfect holiday cookie. They were also not difficult at all and pretty foolproof, which is always a bonus!

Ingredients:

Cookie:

1 C. flour

1/3 cup cocoa

1/4 tsp salt

1 stick (8 Tbsp.) butter, softened

2/3 C. sugar

1 large egg, separated, plus one additional egg white

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 Tbsp milk

1 1/4 c. finely chopped pecans

Caramel filling:

14 traditional caramels (I used Werther's soft caramels)

3 Tbsp. cream

Chocolate Drizzle:

2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate bar

1 tsp shortening

Directions:

Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in a bowl and set aside. Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on med-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolk, vanilla, and milk until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture just until incorporated. Do not overbeat. 

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.

Whisk egg whites until fluffy (by hand). Place pecans in a separate bowl. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Dip in egg whites and then roll in pecans. Place on cookie sheet at least 2 inches apart. Use the back of a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Bake at  350 until set, about 12 minutes.

For caramel filling: Microwave caramels and cream, stirring occasionally, until smooth and melted, about 1-2 minutes.

When cookies come out of the oven, gently re-press indentations. Fill with 1/2 tsp. caramel filling. Let cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to wire wrack. 

Melt chocolate and shortening together in a plastic bag dipped in hot water. Cut tip off bag and drizzle over cooled cookies.

Yield: About 30 cookies. 

Source: America's Test Kitchen

Cookie:

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

8 T. (1 stick) butter, softened

2/3 c. sugar

1 large egg, separated, plus 1 additional egg white

2 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. pecans, finely chopped

Caramel Filling:

14 soft caramel candies (I used Kraft Traditional Caramels)

3 T. heavy cream

Chocolate Drizzle (optional):

2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (I used 2 squares of Baker's semi-sweet chocolate)

1 tsp. shortening

Directions
Prepare the Cookies:  
1.  Combine flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside.

2.  With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla; mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture until just combined.

3.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

4.  Whisk egg whites in a bowl until frothy.  Place chopped pecans in another bowl.  Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls, dip in egg whites, and then roll in pecans.  Place balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Using a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, make an indentation in the center of each dough ball.

5.  Bake at 350 degrees until set, about 12 minutes.

Prepare the Caramel Filling:  
6.  Microwave caramels and cream together in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.

7.  Once cookies are removed from the oven, gently re-press the indentations.  Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the caramel mixture. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Chocolate Drizzle (optional):  
8.  Place chocolate and shortening in a small zip-top plastic bag.  Set bag in a bowl of warm water to soften.  Gently knead the chocolate with your fingers until melted and smooth, placing back in the warm water for a minute or two as needed.

9.  Snip a very small hole in the corner of the plastic bag.  Drizzle chocolate over the cooled Turtle Cookies.

Makes about 30 cookies.

Enjoy! 

Read more at http://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2012/09/insanely-delicious-turtle-cookies.html#vAFMPMioIaCqGHIJ.99

Cookie:

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

8 T. (1 stick) butter, softened

2/3 c. sugar

1 large egg, separated, plus 1 additional egg white

2 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. pecans, finely chopped

Caramel Filling:

14 soft caramel candies (I used Kraft Traditional Caramels)

3 T. heavy cream

Chocolate Drizzle (optional):

2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (I used 2 squares of Baker's semi-sweet chocolate)

1 tsp. shortening

Directions
Prepare the Cookies:  
1.  Combine flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside.

2.  With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla; mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture until just combined.

3.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

4.  Whisk egg whites in a bowl until frothy.  Place chopped pecans in another bowl.  Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls, dip in egg whites, and then roll in pecans.  Place balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Using a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, make an indentation in the center of each dough ball.

5.  Bake at 350 degrees until set, about 12 minutes.

Prepare the Caramel Filling:  
6.  Microwave caramels and cream together in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.

7.  Once cookies are removed from the oven, gently re-press the indentations.  Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the caramel mixture. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Chocolate Drizzle (optional):  
8.  Place chocolate and shortening in a small zip-top plastic bag.  Set bag in a bowl of warm water to soften.  Gently knead the chocolate with your fingers until melted and smooth, placing back in the warm water for a minute or two as needed.

9.  Snip a very small hole in the corner of the plastic bag.  Drizzle chocolate over the cooled Turtle Cookies.

Makes about 30 cookies.

Enjoy! 

Read more at http://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2012/09/insanely-delicious-turtle-cookies.html#vAFMPMioIaCqGHIJ.99

Snickerdoodle Brownies

 

So, you should know, that unless you are prepared to pretty much eat the whole pan of these you might not want to make this recipe! You think I'm kidding!? These have the perfect texture, a little chewy and just the right amount of sweet. This is definitely going down as a family favorite! I did find this recipe on "pin-interest". (That's how my mom pronounces it. LOL!) This is a great fall dessert. The cinnamon and sugar are warm and cozy.

 

Recipe:

 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

Get out three separate bowls.

1-In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and set that aside.

2-In  small bowl combine the white sugar and cinnamon, and set that aside.

3- n a large bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat until well blended.

Spread the mixture into the 9x13 baking dish.

Sprinkle the sugar cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter.

Bake for 25-30 minute or until it springs back at touch.

Let the brownies cool on a wire rack for a bit and serve.

 

 

original recipe from Dozen Flours



Icecream Cookie Treats

A treat now and then is good for everyone!  This is really ridiculously yummy!  So, easy to put together and the kids love them, ofcourse.

Ingredients:
1 c. Butter Flavored Crisco
3/4 c. Granulated Sugar
3/4 c. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs
*Blend these ingredients until smooth.
2 1/2 c. All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
*Add these ingredients to the first mixture.
1/2 c. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 c. White chocolate chips
*Add chips to mixture.
-----------------
Vanilla icecream


Directions:
Drop by rounded tablespoons on a greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 9-12 minutes or until barely golden brown! Remove cookies from baking tray and place on cooling rack. Let them cool completely then add a tablespoon of vanilla icecream to the cookie and gently press another cookie on top. Serve immediately.

 *You can add any kind of chocolate chips, or nuts, candies, anything to these!

Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are fun and festive and pretty darn tasty.  It's a party in a cookie!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c. flour
1 1/4 c. yellow or white boxed cake mix (I used a funfetti mix)
1/2 t. baking soda
3/4 c. (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. light brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 c. chocolate chips (I used 1/2 white and 1/2 semi-sweet)
1/2 c. sprinkles

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, sift together flour, cake mix, and baking soda.  Set aside.  In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugars on medium speed.  Mix in the egg and vanilla until creamy.

2.  Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.  Do not overmix the dough.

3.  Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 days.  This step is mandatory.  The dough is fairly sticky, so chilling the dough is required in order to keep the cookie from spreading too much.

4.  Scoop rounded tablespoons of the cold dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Shape your cookie dough balls to be "taller" than they are wide.  Make sure to keep dough chilled when working in batches.  Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are slightly browned.  The centers will still appear very soft, but the cookies will set as they cool.

6.  Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 4 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Source:  sallysbakingaddiction.com

Pumpkin Bars

I know, I know it isn't Halloween yet. BUT we all want it to be right?  I make these bars year round, in fact my husband's work asks for them for every work gathering.  It feeds a big crowd and you will love them!!!

1 c. oil (I use coconut oil)
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 c. pureed pumpkin (or squash/sweet potatoes)

Mix together then add:

2 c. flour (whole wheat works well!)
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove)

Mix together well and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes in a greased cookie sheet.

Frosting:
*frost when cooled
3 oz. cream cheese
6 T. softened butter
1 t. vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. (or more) milk

Source: Honica Smith

Coconut Drop Cookies

    I'm always a fan of a good no-bake cookie. And anything with coconut. So when I saw this recipe, I had to try it. I thought it was really good and a quick treat in a pinch.

 

Coconut Oatmeal

No Bake Cookies

2 c. granulated sugar
3/4 c. butter
2/3 c. milk
1 (3.4 oz) box instant coconut flavor pudding mix
2 1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1 c. sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 tsp. vanilla pinch of salt

In a large sauce pan, mix together sugar, butter and milk. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat, add in the pudding mix, oats, coconut and vanilla. Let stand 5 minutes before dropping by teaspoons onto waxed paper. Cool completely and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Source: auntpegsrecipebox.blogspot.com