Day #90 and Cookie Dough

WARNING:
These cookies are dangerously good and addictive! 

I am feeling much better today, went grocery shopping and even stopped at a couple of garage sales.  My best find of the day happened to be at Goodwill, a Longaberger Cookie Jar.  I have the matching teapot and pitcher, also a bargain find at a garage sale last year. 



In perfect condition for $4.99!

So what does one do when you have an empty cookie jar? When I found this recipe, I was in heaven.  I could have cookie dough in the freezer ready to go at a moment's notice. 

NEW RECIPE #25  CCC's on the QT:

(The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook)

(Average Family Rating 5)

2 C. Flour

1 C. Oatmeal

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1 1/2 tsp. Salt

2 Sticks Butter, unsalted and softened

3/4 C. Sugar

3/4 C. Brown Sugar, packed

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 C. Chocolate Chips



Combine flour, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, set aside.  Cream butter and sugars with electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one.  Add vanilla, then flour mixture, combine.  Add chocolate chips. 

Form dough into 2 Tbsp. balls and place on a wax-paper lined cookie sheet.  Freeze for 30 minutes.  Transfer dough balls to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.

To Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Bake for 8 minutes, reduce heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 8 minutes.  Let cookies cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to baking rack.  



Day #75 and My Favorite Cookies

My favorite cookbook is the very first one I ever owned, 32 Fabulous Cookies by Marie Bianco.   I bought it at my first grade book fair.

    

It's even stamped on the inside cover by the librarian!  I was an angel when I was little!

 I've made countless recipes out of this lovely book, but my favorite would have to be recipe 21 Genemary's Chocolate Crack-ups.  This page is covered in residue of sticky fingers and memories of baking these delicious cookies with my Granny.

So today, stuck at home again with TWO sick boys, I decided to make these cookies once again.  Although it's not a new recipe, it's one I wanted to share with all of you! ENJOY!

RECIPE #21 Genemary's Chocolate Crack-ups

(32 Fabulous Cookies, Marie Bianco)

(Average Family Rating 5)

1/2 C. Butter

6 Tbsp. Cocoa

1 2/3 C. Sugar

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 C. Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 C. Walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)

Powdered Sugar

Melt butter and stir in cocoa; blend well, then cool.  Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla, beat until smooth.

In separate bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.  Add to cocoa mixture and add walnuts, mix until combined.   Chill for at least 3 hours. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Shape one tsp. of dough into a ball, repeat with remaining dough.  Roll balls in powdered sugar, then place on cookie sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Cool on wire rack.

Day #67 and Time Flies

This year has been full of realizations for me.  One being my son is going to be a freshman in high school in the fall.  Last night was freshman orientation.  Hubby took him, as I was not feeling well, and he came home with a packet full of stuff.  I want him to realize how important these next few years will be in his life.  The decisions he makes will determine the path his life will take.  There are so many more classes he could take and several more he needs to graduate than I ever had.  Next year we will be doing this all over again with my daughter.  I will probably have the same worries, concerns, and doubts with her.  I just want my son to know whatever happens in the next four years, Hubby and I will love and support him.  So to make me feel better, I made cookies...

This recipe makes so many!

NEW RECIPE #19  Chewy Chocolate-Chunk Cherry Cookies
(Martha Stewart Living Feb. 2011)
(Average Family Rating)

3 1/2 C. Flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
3 Sticks Unsalted Butter, room temperature
2 C. Light-Brown Sugar, packed
1 C. Sugar
4 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 1/2 C. Semisweet Chocolate Chunks
1 1/2 C. Dried Cherries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.  Beat butter and sugars until pale and fluffy.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well.  Beat in vanilla, then flour mixture.  Add chocolate and cherries, mix well.  Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
Roll into balls (about 3 tsp.), place on a lined baking sheet, about 3 inches apart.  Bake until edges are golden, 12-14 minutes.  Cool on baking rack.  Can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Tips:
1.  This dough is super sticky, hence the refrigeration.
2.  I used a Sil-Pat lined baking sheet.
3.  I also used a cookie scoop instead of rolling the dough into ball.
4.  Place the uncooked dough in the refrigerator while you bake the other cookies.

Day #56 and the little things...

By the little things I meant these adorable mini wine glasses.  They are a part of Pier 1's new tasting party line.  I love these because it seems like my wine always gets warm before I get to drink it all!  Mainly because I am too busy chatting or forget about it sitting on the counter as I cook dinner.  The wine I purchased while at Sprouts with my Mom, hoping to try it out this weekend. 

I didn't get to make cookies yesterday, too busy cleaning the kitchen.  I hung up the utensil bars I purchased at Ikea.  I love them!  I will take pictures as soon as my batteries recharge for the camera.  I did manage to bake a cake, a box mix.  It was Duncan Hines, Orange Supreme.  I bought it about two months ago, right before the crappy range decided to quit.  I found it while I was cleaning out the pantry yesterday.  This was the first time I used the bottom oven.  I set the temperature and wondered if I should try the convection or not, I didn't.   After 22 minutes I noticed the top was golden brown, it was done!   So glad I didn't leave the kitchen while it was baking!  It was an interesting flavor, not really what I thought it would taste like.  My family liked it I guess they ate it, I didn't get a rating since it wasn't really a recipe.  So maybe after I clean the rest of my house, start laundry, and figure out what to make for dinner I will get to make cookies!

I found this recipe from Sugar Plum!  She is an awesome baker and I can't wait to make these!  Just click on the link below for the recipe!

New Recipe #15 Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:

(Average Family Rating)

Day #3 and some much needed chocolate!

Start of a new week and the kids will be going back to school tomorrow!  YEAH!   It has been a loooong two weeks!  All four have become restless and the fighting began two or three days ago.  Too much togetherness, for everybody!  Hubby gets a break a day early, he got to go back to work!  Needless to say, I am a little jealous! 

My family has been very supportive in this venture, they have tried the new recipes and not been shy about their feelings!  At dinner last night, my 13 year old son said that he might want to become a food critic! 

My middle son is turning 10 on Wednesday and he asked for chocolate chip cookies to take to share with his class.  So I am making them with a twist....

NEW RECIPE #4 My Big Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies:
(Average Family Rating 4.3) 
(By Tyler Florence)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 (8-ounce) Andes Mint Chocolate Bits

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer together on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add vanilla and eggs. Slowly add dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate bits.  Using a medium size scoop, scoop onto sheet pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Update:  These cookies are so yummy!  The first batch didn't last long here!