Food Friday - Christmas Cookies

I know, I said Christmas cookies, but these can be enjoyed any old time you would like!  I give you permission.  :-)

Rich's grandmother always made Christmas cookies and he was really wanting some this year.  I couldn't find the recipe for them that I had been given.  :-(  So, I had to play and come up with something close...here it is.  He really liked these, so I thought I would share.  Enjoy!

 

Christmas Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp apple cider
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup diced maraschino cherries
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chocolate chips or chunks
1/4 cup sugar, for dusting

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In the bowl, cream together the butter and sugars.
3. Add the egg, extract, and apple cider.  Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix on high for 3-4 minutes or until the dough is light and fluffy.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
5. Add the flour to the butter/sugar and mix on low until just combined.
6. Fold in the cherries, chopped walnuts and chocolate.
7. Drop 1 heaping tbsp of dough onto the cookie sheet, 1-2 inches apart.  Do not place more than 12 on a sheet, the cookies spread and need room!
8. Dust each mound of dough with sugar.
9. Bake 14-15 minutes or until edges begin to brown.  Do not overbake!
10. Remove and let cook on sheet for about 1 minute.  Remove to a wire rack to cool complete.

Food Friday!

I love my family and I love putting smiles on their faces.  With Wesley, there isn't a lot that I can make that will do this for all 3 of my guys, but this does it nicely!  They almost don't usually have a chance to harden before fingers start invading!

 

 

No Bake Cookies

 

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups white sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes.

2. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla.

3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.

Tip:  Some people have trouble with no bakes not setting up or being really crumbly.  The tip is to start timing when the mixture reaches a full rolling boil.  If you don't boil long enough, they won't set up and if you boil for too long they will be crumbly.  Hope that helps!

Guilty Pleasures - 30 Day Blog Challenge

Your guilty pleasures

Guilty pleasures are those little things that people aren't supposed to like, but secretly do anyway.  One of mine is Ferrero Rochers.  How delightful this little balls of heaven are!  A whole hazelnut wrapped in gooey nutella with a crispy chocolate blanket.  Who wouldn't like these things!  Yum!

Ok, that one was a safe "guilty pleasure."  Here's one that is has a little more guilt for you.

Harliquin romance books.  I can't even really call them novels because they are just books.  They are quite simply my guilty pleasure.  I love to read and this is an escape.  While I am reading these, all is right with the world.  The good guy always gets the girl and everything works out the way it's supposed to.  Much like life doesn't.  

Ok, I fessed up.  Let's hear some of your guilty pleasures!  Chances are, I have enjoyed as well!  :-)

Here's my original post on the 30 Day Blog Challenge if you want to read what else I have to say.  I'd love for you to come along for the ride!  :-)