Friday, December 20, 2013

Holiday Snowball Cookies by Michele N.


Holiday Snowball Cookies

Recipe taken from this website.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Holiday Morsels
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
Powdered sugar
Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

BEAT butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour; stir in morsels and nuts. Shape level tablespoons of dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Sift powdered sugar over hot cookies on baking sheets. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired. Store in airtight containers.

Brown Butter Salted Caramel Snickerdoodles by Lisa H.



I originally found this recipe from this blog, but I changed a few minor things. My notes are in italics...

Brown Butter Salted Caramel Snickerdoodles


2½ cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter, sliced
1¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
1 cup caramel squares, cut into ¼’s
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Coarse Sea salt for sprinkling on completed cookies

Instructions

In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, cinnamon, and set aside.

To brown the butter, heat a medium saucepan to medium high heat. Add the sliced butter, whisking frequently. You will notice the butter starting to become frothy on the top and brown specks will start to form along the bottom. You have to watch it closely because the turn happens quickly and you don’t want it to burn. You will start to smell a nutty aroma and once it turns to a brown color, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.

While the butter is cooling, cut the carmel squares into ¼’s. (I used Werther's Caramels and cut each one in half).

In a stand mixer, combine the brown butter and brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar. (The ¼ cup sugar will be used for rolling in the cookies). Mix until blended and smooth.

Beat in egg, yolk, vanilla and yogurt and mix until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients until combined.

Form the dough into a ball and cover with plastic. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Once you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Measure about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten the ball and place 1-2 caramel squares inside, wrap the cookie dough over the caramel and roll back into a ball. Make sure it is completely covered so that the caramel won’t stick to the pan.

(Instead of refrigerating the dough in a big ball I used a small cookie scoop to shape the cookies, wrapped the caramel inside and made a ball, rolled in the cinnamon and sugar, placed on a cookie sheet and then refrigerated the dough before baking. I think refrigerated cookie dough is hard to work with!)

Mix ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and roll each cookie in the mixture. Place on a cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. (I used course Kosher salt)

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly brown. The centers will be soft. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Best served warm with a tall glass of cold milk.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Cranberry Coconut Bars by Jessica L.

Cranberry Coconut Bars


1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
   1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups vanilla or white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup pecan halves

Combine cracker crumbs and butter; press into a greased 9x13 pan.  In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; mix well.  Gently spread over crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-28 minutes or until edges are golden brown.  Cool on a wire rack.  Cut into bars.  

Coffee Cake Cookies by Jennifer H.

Coffee Cake Cookies 

Ingredients: 
Cookie dough: 
1 cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large egg
2 - 1/2 cups flour
1 Tb baking powder
Crumb Topping:
4 Tb. butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
Brown Sugar glaze:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 - 1/2 Tb. water
To make the dough:In a mixer, beat butter with sugar.  Add vanilla and egg and mix well.  Add flour and baking powder and mix until combined.  Dough should be soft but shouldn't stick to your fingers.
Roll cookie dough into 1-1/2 inch balls and place on cookie sheet 3 inches apart.  Flatten cookie dough with the heel of your hand.
To make crumb topping:
With a hand mixer, combine butter, brown sugar and flour until crumbly.
For glaze:
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, water and vanilla and stir until smooth.  Glaze should be easy to drizzle but not runny.  If it's too thick, add a few drops of water until consistency is right.  If it's too runny, add another spoonful of brown sugar.

S'mores Hershey's Kiss Cookies Recipe by Marilynn K.


S'mores Hershey's Kiss Cookies Recipe:(Makes approx. 3 dozen cookies)

Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
20 large marshmallows, cut in half
About 40 chocolate kisses
Directions:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugars together until creamy and smooth.  Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.  Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.  Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet, 1-2" apart.  Bake for 6-8 minutes or until edges are just getting golden brown.  Remove from oven and gently press a half marshmallow, sticky side down, onto each cookie.  Let cool completely.  Once all cookies are cooled down, preheat broiler.  Place cookies back on baking sheets and broil for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them so they don't burn.  Once marshmallows are golden brown, remove from the broiler and place a chocolate kiss on top of each cookie.

Homemade Oreos by Camie C.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

1 box devils food cake mix
3/4 c shortening
2 eggs
1/8 c flour

Mix together, roll into 1" balls, bake 8-10 mins @ 350.

Filling:

1 8 oz cream cheese (soft)
1 cube butter (soft)
1 t vanilla
3 1/2 c powd sugar
2 t milk

Beat together, spread between 2 cookies. (Filling makes enough for 2 batches of cookies)
Cookie Party 2013! This may have be Marilynn's last for a time... we are so grateful for her graciousness as our host for all of these years.

From left to right: DeAnn S, Camie C, Jennifer H, Sara W, Beckie F, Michele N, Lisa H, Marilynn K, Jessica L, Amy J, and Andrea W.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Eggnog Cookies by Jessica L.



Cookies:

1 1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter, room temp
1/2 c. light eggnog
1 t. vanilla
2 egg yolks
2 1/4 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (Yes 300.)  Cream sugar and butter with an electric mixer.  Add eggnog, vanilla and egg yolks and beat until smooth.   Separately combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg; mix well and add to your eggnog/sugar/butter mixture.  Refrigerate until dough is cool.   Next drop by rounded teaspoons onto a greased baking sheets, 1 to 2 inches away from each other. Bake for 17 to 22 minutes or until bottoms turn light brown. - Be sure to keep an eye on them.   Transfer to cool, flat surface immediately with spatula. - If you leave them on the pan they will burn.

Icing:

3 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. softened butter
1/2 c. light eggnog

Beat the powdered sugar and butter together until well blended. Gradually beat in eggnog until icing is smooth and the desired consistency. You may need less or more egg nog depending on the consistency you like. Then frost the cookies and let the icing harden.   Servings: About 36 Cookies

Source:  http://studio5.ksl.com by Elyse Adamson (November 26th, 2012)


Lemon Crisp Cookies by Jennifer H.


1 pkg lemon cake mix
1 cup crisp rice or puffed rice cereal
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. grated lemon peel

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until well mixed.  (Dough will be crumbly.)  Shape into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until set.  Cool for 1 minute and move to wire cooling rack to cool completely.  Yield:  2 dozen (I think I made them a little bigger than 1 inch around, so you could get more).

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Polka Dot Brownies by DeAnn S.


Mix well:
1 c. brown sugar (packed)
1/3 c. butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
1/2 c. nuts (optional)

Pour batter in a greased 9" X 9" pan,
then sprinkle with a 6-oz. pkg. of chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Be careful not to overbake, or the edges became hard.

Chocolate Turtle Cookies by Marilynn Koehler



Ingredients
·         1 cup all-purpose flour
·         1/3 cup cocoa powder
·         1/4 teaspoon salt
·         8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
·         2/3 cup sugar
·         1 large egg, separated, plus 1 egg white
·         2 tablespoons milk
·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract
·         1 1/4 cups pecans, chopped fine (I substituted with chopped almonds)
·         14 soft caramel candies
·         3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1.       Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in bowl. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla and mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture until just combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

2.      Adjust oven rack to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk egg whites in bowl until frothy. Place pecans in another bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, dip in egg whites, then roll in pecans. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Using 1/2-teaspoon measure, make indentation in center of each ball. Bake until set, about 12 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking.

3.      Microwave caramels and cream in bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Once cookies are removed from oven, gently re-press existing indentations. Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon caramel mixture. Cool 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

*Note:  I used Lisa’s homemade caramel recipe for the filling instead.  Also, I thought it looked pretty with a drizzle of melted chocolate on top, and you can’t go wrong adding more chocolate, right?

One more note:  I didn't love the chocolate cookie part of this recipe.  I thought they were a little dry.  When I make them again, I’ll probably use the cookie recipe from the chocolate marshmallow cookies I made last year.  It’s my favorite chocolate cookie recipe.

(Recipe from America's Test Kitchen Holiday Cookies 2010 Special Issue)

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies by Marilynn K.




1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped (juice reserved)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter
4 ounces white baking chocolate, finely chopped (about 2/3 cup)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
White candy coating or additional white baking chocolate for dipping

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spread the chopped cherries on paper towels to drain well. Don’t forget to reserve the juice!

In a large bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the drained cherries and chopped white chocolate. Stir in the almond extract and enough reserved juice to form a smooth ball. Gradually add a tablespoon of the juice at a time and mix with your hands until the dough comes together.

Shape the dough into 1- or 2-inch balls. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat liner. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten the balls to about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the centers are set. Cool for a minute or two on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Melt additional white baking chocolate in a plastic bag in the fridge.  Squish until smooth, then cut corner off bag and drizzle over tops of cookies.  Enjoy!

Macaroon Kisses by Lisa H.




1/3 cup butter (softened)
3 oz. cream cheese (softened)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 ½ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
5 cups coconut (divided)
48 kisses (dark chocolate)

Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg yolk and extract.  Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add gradually to creamed mixture.  Stir in 3 cups of the coconut.

Refrigerate dough 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle (if desired, I didn't find this to be necessary).  Shape in 1” balls or use a small cookie scoop and then roll in coconut.  Place 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (or until lightly browned.)

Remove from oven and push a kiss into each cookie.  Allow cookies to sit on cookie sheet 2-5 minutes until chocolate is soft.  Transfer cookies to cooling racks.

 Makes about 4 dozen cookies

Julia's Double Rich Chocolate Cookies by Lynne B.


 2 ½ Cups of flour (I add 2 extra Tbsp for living in Utah helps them to not be flat!)
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
¾ cup white sugar
1 cup salted butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla (vanilla extract is fine)
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips (I also like to add white chocolate chips as it makes it pretty! Totally optional)
Preheat oven to 300* (yes they cook longer on a lower heat)

In a medium bowl combine flour, soda, salt and cocoa powder. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.
In a large bowl blend sugars at medium speed, Add butter and beat to form a grainy paste, scrape downs sides of bowl, (no really it actually says that in the recipe.... duh right?) then add eggs and Vanilla. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add flour mixture and chocolate chips and blend at low speed just until combined. DO NOT OVERMIX! 

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto un greased cookie sheet 1 ½ inches apart bake for 21 mins 

Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies by Sara W.



1 package Devils Food Cake Mix
2 eggs
3/4 cup shortening
1/2 tsp vanilla
Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses

Beat all ingredients, except Candy Kisses, to form a thick batter. Use cookie scoop to place on cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes (depending on the size of your scoop).  Immediately after removing from oven, gently press unwrapped Candy Cane Kiss onto the top of each cookie.

Holiday Hugs by Michele N.





Holiday Hugs:

1 Bag Snyder's Snap Pretzels
1 Bag Hershey's Hugs
1 Bag Dark Chocolate Holiday M&Ms

Arrange Snaps on baking sheet.  Place 1 Hug on top of  each Snap and bake for 2 minutes at 350 degrees.  Remove from oven and gently press 1 M&M into warm Hug.  Allow to thoroughly cool before placing in bag or container. 

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies by Leanne C.




(Modified from Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Chip Cookies)
Ingredients
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine , softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2  eggs
1 cup (half a bag) Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (you can use the whole bag if you feel like it)
2 cups (whole bag) Mint Chips

Directions
1.
 Heat oven to 375°F. 
2.
Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, set aside.
3.
Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl on medium speed of mixer until creamy. Add eggs; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. 
4.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. About 5 dozen cookies.

2012 Cookie Exchange

 Marilynn did it again! She hosted another fabulous cookie exchange. We had delicious appetizers, yummy cookies, and great conversations. We love this tradition! From left to right: Amy J, Lynne B, Sara W, Marilynn K, Lisa H, Jessica L, Leanne C, DeAnn S, Michele N, and Camie C.

Don't these looke mouth watering?

Friday, January 6, 2012

Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies by Marilynn K.


Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

1 C butter, softened
1 C sugar
¾ C packed brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
½ tsp salt
2 eggs
2 C flour
½ C Hershey’s cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
2 C chocolate chips
1 bag large marshmallows, cut in half
Colored melting chips of your choice

Heat oven to 375.  Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in large bowl until creamy.  Add eggs; beat well.  Stir together flour, cocoa, and baking soda; gradually add butter mixture beating until well blended.  Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheet.  Bake 8 minutes.  Press marshmallow into center of each cookie and bake an additional 1 or 2 minutes or until set.  Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool.  Drizzle with melted melting chips.  I did red and green for Christmas.  They are also really good if you use mint melting chips or mint chocolate chips in the cookie recipe.

Lemon Dreams by Jessica L.


Lemon Dreams
1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. powdered sugar
1 2/3 c. flour
Filling:
2/3 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp salt
1 eggs, beaten
3 T lemon juice
1 T butter, melted
Cream butter and vanilla.  Add powdered sugar.  Gradually add flour.  Roll into 1 inch balls.  Make an indentation in center with thumb.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned.  Makes 2-3 dozen.
For filling, combine sugar, cornstarch, lemon peel and salt in saucepan.  Stir in egg, lemon juice and butter until smooth.  Cook over medium high heat until thickened.  Reduce heat.  Cook and stir 2 minutes longer.  Cool.  Spoon onto each cookie.  Dust with powdered sugar before serving.  (Store bought lemon pie filling also works.)