Surprise Cookies

Oh my goodness! These are really really yummy! If you like chocolate then you must try this recipe. I found it on Martha Stewart's website and thought they looked good. They are good. They were also very easy to make. That is helpful to me. Try these with a cold glass of milk and you will be pleased that you did!

Surprise cookies

1 3/4 c flour
3/4 c cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c butter, softened
1 c sugar
1 large egg
1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
12 large marshmallows, cut in half horizontally
chocolate frosting

► Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
► Cream together butter and sugar about 2 minutes. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat until combined. Add flour mixture and mix on low.
► Drop dough by 3/4" ice cream scoop (or tablespoon) on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes.
► Remove from oven and place cut marshmallow cut side down, into cookies. Bake 2 minutes more.
► Cool completely and then frost over marshmallow.

I did a few things differently than the recipe states. I didn't have large marshmallows so I just put 4 mini marshmallows on the cookies...it worked just fine. I also used premade chocolate frosting (from a can) and it tasted great!

Try these TODAY!

Cinnamon and Sugar

These are one of Jeff's favorite cookies. He likes the varieties without chocolate if possible. I remember when I first started dating Jeff and he was living with his friend Ben. I had called to talk to Jeff and Ben answered his phone. We chatted for a while and Ben kept telling me that I should bring Jeff some cookies. Of course I was willing to do that for two bachelors and I asked what kind they wanted. Snickerdoodles was the answer I got!

Snickerdoodles
1 c butter
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 c flour
1 tsp soda
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar mixed with 2 tsp cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, mix well. Add the rest of the ingredients except the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Shape dough into balls and roll in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Fantasy Fudge

I've had this before and I always wanted to make it myself. It was really easy to do and great to freeze for the holidays coming up.

Fantasy Fudge
3 c sugar
3/4 c butter
2/3 c evaporated milk (5 ounces)
1 1/2 pkg Baker's semi sweet baking chocolate squares, chopped (I actually used Hershey's semi sweet chocolate chips...no chopping :))
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
1 c walnuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla

Line 9" square pan with foil overhanging the sides. Place sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in heavy saucepan and bring to a full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 minutes or until candy thermometer reads 234 degrees, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.
Add chocolate and marshmallow creme. Stir until melted. Add nuts and vanilla, mix well.
Pour into prepared pan evenly. Let stand at room temperature for 4 hours or until cooled completely. Cut into 1" squares.

A Healthy Meal...

to warm you up and make you healthy. I try to get my husband to eat healthy at least once and a while. He loves things like nachos, burritos, pizza, ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, and other carb loaded things for his dinners. When I make something different it takes him some getting used to. I always say to him that I have made a healthy meal and he knows that it's going to be something he's not used to. He is such a good sport though and always thanks me for dinner no matter what it was or how much of it he ate. haha Last night I made homemade soup and biscuits. I really enjoyed it and I know he loved the biscuits and ate the soup to please me. Oh well...I will keep trying to get him healthy!

Cream of Chicken-Rice Soup
4 qts wager
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/4 c fresh parsley, minced
1/4 c butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c rice, uncooked (not instant)
salt to taste
2 c milk
1/2 - 3/4 c cornstarch

► Bring water to boil. Add chicken and cook until tender and juices run clear; reserve broth. (I actually didn't follow this part of the recipe. I had some left over chicken from another night and just chunked it into bite-size pieces and mixed it with 3 cans of chicken broth and 3 cans of hot water)
► Meanwhile, in a frying pan, saute onion, carrots, celery and parsley in butter until tender. (Again, I didn't follow the recipe exactly. I didn't have an onion or any fresh parsley. I used 1 1/2 tbsp of onion powder and the about the same of dried parsley.)
► Add garlic and cook for one minute.
► Cut chicken into bite-size pieces ( if you haven't done that already.) Add sauteed vegetables and chicken to reserved broth (or canned broth).
► Stir in rice and salt and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Mix together milk and cornstarch; add to soup. Stir until thick. Makes 16-20 servings.

Biscuits Supreme
3 c flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 c butter or 1/2 c butter and 1/4 c shortening
1 1/4 c buttermilk or 1 c milk

► In a large bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar. Using a pastry blender (or fork) cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add buttermilk (milk) all at once. Using a fork, stir just until moistened.
► Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surafce. Knead dough by folding and gently pressing dough for 4 to 6 strokes or just until dough holds together. Pat or lightly roll dough until 3/4 inch thick. Cut the dough with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter (or a cookie cutter like I did to make it more festive).
► Place biscuits 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 8-12 minutes or until golden. Remove biscuits from baking sheet and serve immediately.

Zucchini Bread

Jeff makes fun of me everytime that I make this bread. He laughs that we all think we are making something healthy when there is so much oil and sugar in this bread it technically is a dessert! I like it either way and then I can trick myself into thinking that I have eaten my veggies for they day!

Zucchini Bread
Mix:
1 c oil
2 c sugar
3 eggs
2 c grated squash (zucchini):)
Then add:
3 c flour
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. It will make one large loaf or 4 mini-loaves.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love love love pumpking chocolate chip cookies. It's ridiculous how much I love these cookies. I could eat the whole batch by myself and I know that I shouldn't...that's how much I love them. I try to tell myself that they are not bad for me because of the vitamins in pumpkin...whatever! Try this recipe and if you like pumpkin you may just fall in love as well.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 c sugar
1 c vegetable shortening
1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
2 tsp vanilla
4 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
12 oz. chocolate chips (I did 6 ounces of semi-sweet and 6 ounces of milk chocolate)

► Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
► Cream together sugar, shortening, pumpkin, and vanilla. Mix until light and combined.
► Mix the flour, baking soda and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into creamed mixture. Mix until combined.
► Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonful (or tablespoonful if you are me) onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes or until set. Cool cookies on rack.

Thumbprint Cookies

My mom used to make these every year around Christmas time for cookie exchanges and they are really yummy! I did a little variation with this recipe but they are yummy either way.

Thumbprint Cookies
1/2 c shortening
1/2 c butter
1/2 c brown sugar
► Cream together.
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
► Add to creamed mixture.
2 egg yolks (reserve the whites)
1/2 tsp salt
2 c flour
► Add in flour and salt. Roll dough in balls. Beat the reserved egg whites until frothy. Dip balls into egg white and finely chopped nuts (optional).
► Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes, then press thumb into center of each and bake 8 more minutes.
► Cool well and fill with frosting (see recipe below) or jelly. I actually used fruit filling from the cake store in SLC (Bakers Cash and Carry)

Frosting : 1/2 square butter, powdered sugar, milk, almond and vanilla extract

Hawaiian Haystacks

It has been a long time since I made Hawaiian Haystacks or even had them somewhere else. This is a great buffet meal for parties because your guests can adorn the simple base with anything that suits them best. A couple of weeks ago I had some friends and their kids over for a lunch/playdate. I made this recipe that is super easy and really yummy. If you need an entertaining dinner/lunch or just a dinner for your family, give this a try!

Hawaiian Haystacks

10 to 12 chicken tenders, cut into chunks (I actually used 3 large chicken breasts cut into chunks)
1 cup chicken broth
2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) cream of chicken soup, condensed
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
6 cups cooked rice (I used a combination of white and brown rice)

► Place chicken in a greased 3 1/2 to 5-quart slow cooker.
► Combine remaining ingredients except rice and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on high heat 3-4 hours or on low heat 6-8 hours. Makes 4-6 or more servings!

► Serve over hot rice with a variety of col toppings that could include grated cheese, peas, pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, shredded coconut, raisins, Chinese noodles, celery, olives, diced tomatoes, diced green peppers, sliced green onions, water chestnuts, sunflower seeds, and other family favorites!

A Twist on Oatmeal Cookies

Jeff loves oatmeal cookies and will ask for them when I suggest that I make cookies. My man is a simple man and likes his cookies without a lot of fluff and no chocolate. I don't know where he gets it from... When I happened upon this recipe I figured I better try it to give a new fun side of making oatmeal cookies. I actually made these as halloween cookies but the picture shows some different varieties of cut-outs you can do.

Oatmeal Cut-Outs
3/4 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 c flour
1/2 t baking soda
dash of salt
1 1/2 c oatmeal
powdered sugar for rolling dough on

► Cream butter and sugars together.
► Add egg and vanilla and beat well.
► Blend in dry ingredients and chill overnight. Divide and roll on powdered sugar, cut with your favorite cookie cutters.
► Bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes.
► Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cookie cutter.

Yummy Sugar Cookies

I have had this cookie recipe for quite some time and it was passed onto me from my mother. I used to love these cookies when I was a little kid and I still enjoy them today! I made these cookies for a get together with friends and for my husband this month. Try these out with any type of frosting...the royal icing gives the cookie a nice polished look.

Cookie Monster Sugar Cookies
3/4 c soft butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

► In medium mixing bowl, mix butter and sugar until they are blended.
► Add eggs and vanilla, blend together.
► Sift flour, salt and baking powder - mix everything together.
► Put dough in fridge and chill for at least 1 hour.
► Roll dough on floured or powdered sugared countertop to 1/4" thickness, cut into various shapes.
► Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

(A tip...if you really like sugar cookies, double this recipe because you will surely eat some of the dough and you want enough cookies to share and eat. Also, if you have the means...use the powdered sugar to roll out your dough. It tastes yummy on the chilled dough and is much easier to clean up!)

Long time...no Blog

This month has been full of odds and ends of things to do. I have been in the kitchen a LOT this month and have lots of recipes I would like to post. Before I start posting you need to know why I've been doing the things I have. October is such a fun month. It used to be my favorite when I was teaching school and so when I found myself in this month with no little kids to teach (aside from my 6 month old) I started searching for things to do on my own that are different and new to me. I already knew that October was National Pizza Month...there's still time by the way to celebrate this!:) I just found out that it is also National Cookie Month. I had wonderful, glamorous, ridiculous thoughts of making a cookie a day. Every day a new cookie a new experience. Needless to say that didn't go down very well. I reevaluated my goal and decided to do a cookie a week. Well that didn't work either so I'm just doing cookies when I can. That works much better!
I also started canning a lot this year and I had my hands full with that as well. So let the posts begin.....

Want a Funky Lunch???

I saw this as a segment on Studio 5 yesterday and thought they were so creative and delicious. You can visit the sandwich gallery by clicking on the title of this post... "Want a Funky Lunch???" to view the different amazing sandwiches. If these don't make kids happier to eat lunch...nothing will.