Almond Joy Cookies

 

Photo source: Mom on Timeout

"If you love coconut, boy are you in for a treat today! These easy Almond Joy Cookies take just four ingredients and don’t even require a mixer! No beating, no chilling, just mix ’em up and throw ’em in the oven EASY! You’re going to love these ooey gooey fabulous cookies!" Comment from Trish of Mom on Timeout.

You can't go wrong with the delicious ingredients and so easy to put together.  These cookies are a winner!

Click here to go to Trish's recipe page.

Butter Pecan Cookies

 

Photo source: Martha Stewart

"These delicate, buttery cookies, which get their crunchy texture from toasted pecans and a sugar coating, practically melt in your mouth." - comment about the cookie from Martha Stewart.com.

They sound like the best cookies ever that I would love to try!  How about crumbling a cookie over a bowl of butter pecan ice cream?

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Basic Thumbprint Cookies

 

Photo source: Better Homes and Gardens

"One of the most common answers to "What is your favorite Christmas cookie?" has to be "Thumbprints!" Not only can these sweets be baked and frozen up to three months in advance for a stress-free season, but they can also be dressed up with all kinds of flavor combos. Might we recommend lemon-coconut, almond-cherry, or peanut butter and jelly?" - description of recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Love the fact that they are so easy to make ahead and freeze, also so many variations are possible.  They are a very versatile cookie.

The beautiful photo with different versions of the same cookie gave me an idea for homemade gift-giving package . . . make different versions and make packages mixing them up.  It would make an awesome colorful presentation.

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Almond Crescent Cookies

 

Photo source: Simply Recipes

These cookies are a childhood favorite that take me back to italian weddings.  I don't know if the cookies at the weddings were exactly the same, but they were as I remember them.  I'm sure they are known by a different name and maybe they were a different shape.  I'll have to do a post on italian cookies that I loved.

The origins of this cookie from the editors of Simply Recipes: "These cookies are traditional Austrian cookies, sometimes called Viennese crescents. They're often given as Christmas gifts. Similar cookies can be found in many culinary traditions. Greek kourabiedes (a.k.a Greek wedding cookies), walnut snowballs, and Mexican wedding cookies are all crumbly, nutty, and rolled in sugar like these almond crescent cookies."

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Cookies

 

Photo source: Real Mom Kitchen

Chocolate and peanut butter is always an awesome combination.  These cookies would be very appealing on your buffet table for a special occasion.

This recipe comes from Laura from Real Mom Kitchen . . . click here to go to her recipe page.

How to Make the Best Sugar Cookies from Martha Stewart

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

Two of Martha Stewart's favorite bakers give their expert advise on how to make the perfect sugar cookies.  Those sugar cookies are beautiful.  This article will help you make the best ones you can.

Click here to go to Martha's Sugar Cookie Tip page.

Martha Stewart has been a domestic role model for me.  When I quit working and JR and I became a one income family, I listened to every word she said about everything.  Her recipes never let me down.

She also provides the link to another article that features 12 Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie recipes. Click here to go to the recipe page.  You gotta try them!

Holiday Cookie Recipes from the Food Network

This is a post from 2013 that deserves a reposting

Need inspiration for your holiday cookie baking?  

Whether you give your holiday cookies as gifts, make them for your holiday parties or just want some new cookie ideas, Food Network has prepared an awesome holiday cookie section on their website.  I could not pick a favorite to feature . . . there are too many to choose from!

Click here to go there!

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

 

Photo source: Mom on Timeout

Christmas cookies are so special.  One of my holiday favorites was a dessert buffet covered with colorful and festive Christmas cookies.  One of my favorite childhood Christmas cooking/baking activities was making and decorating Christmas cookies.  Funny how a simple food item can conjure up so many memories.

Here is one to add to your collection.  It comes from Trish at Mom on Timeout.  Click here to go to her recipe page.

Semi-homemade versatility of cake mixes

Grocery store shelves are filled with all types of products that cater to those cooks who are looking for convenience and saving time in the kitchen.  

Cake mixes are one of those products that make semi-homemade baking so fast and easy.  

Discount stores like Big Lots have a permanent place on their shelves for cake mix.  For example, many are meant for other countries, therefore the instructions are in another language.  You can buy cake mix for a fraction of the cost if the language is different.

Tiffany at Eat At Home.com has perfected it a science.  Click here to go to Tiffany's article . . . don't forget to check out the comments for even more ideas and recipes from her followers!  

Huffington Post has posted an article on cakes you can make with cake mix and soda . . . you would not believe the variety!  Click here to go to the article.

You will be amazed!

Mini Cheesecake Cookie Bites

What a cute and delicious idea!  

I didn't even know that cheesecake cups with removable bottoms existed!  Great concept for so many recipes :)

Just say cheesecake and you've got my attention!  You can't get any easier than this recipe for a last minute dessert to take to a party or just to enjoy at home.  

I've used other cheesecake recipes from Pillsbury's website and always get requests for the recipe.

Source:  Pillsbury

By Jocelyn Delk Adams
Publish Date: September 23, 2013

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 package Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake!™ chocolate chip cookies
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups whipped cream topping (from aerosol can)
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. 

Remove 12 dough rounds from cookie dough package; save remaining dough for a later use. 

Place 1 dough round in each of 12 mini cheesecake cups with removable bottoms.

Bake 14 minutes. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium to high speed 3 to 4 minutes until smooth. 

Using rubber spatula, gently fold in whipped cream topping.

Gently spoon or pour cream cheese mixture over each cooled cookie until cup is full; smooth top until flat. Freeze at least 3 hours to set.

Just before removing cheesecakes from freezer, place chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwavable bowl. 

Microwave on High in increments of 20 seconds until chocolate is completely melted. Beat mixture with whisk until smooth.

Once cheesecakes are firm, remove pan from freezer. Gently release cheesecakes from cups. Remove cup bottoms from cheesecakes; place on cooling rack. 

Decoratively drizzle melted chocolate over tops of cheesecakes. 

Let stand 2 to 3 minutes to set before serving.

Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Bars

These semi-homemade cookie bars are a quick and delicious

 celebration of the strawberry shortcake.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Pillsbury.com.

Ingredients

• 1 package Pillsbury™ Ready To Bake!™ refrigerated sugar cookies
• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (1 tablespoon)
• 4 oz frozen (thawed) whipped topping (half 8-oz container)
• 1 3/4 cups chopped fresh strawberries

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.

Remove cookies from package; place cookies on cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool completely. (To speed up process, refrigerate cookies about 1 hour.)

Meanwhile, line 11x7-inch pan with cooking parchment paper.

Once cookies are cool, place in food processor. Cover; pulse a few times until all cookies are crumbled. 

Reserve 1 cup of the cookie crumbs. Pour remaining cookie crumbs into pan; press in bottom of pan to form crust.

In mixer bowl with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and sugar until creamy and smooth. Add gelatin; stir to combine.

With rubber spatula, fold whipped topping and 1 cup of the chopped strawberries into cream cheese mixture. Spread over cookie crust. Top with remaining chopped strawberries.

Sprinkle reserved 1 cup cookie crumbs evenly over dessert; gently press with fingers. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.

To serve, cut into 5 rows by 3 rows to make 15 bars, or into 6 rows by 3 rows to make 18 bars.


Notes from Pillsbury

If you're on a vegetarian diet, you can leave the gelatin out, but remember to refrigerate a little longer.

These bars can be easily frozen and served as ice cream bars on hot summer days.

Chocolate Chip, Oats and Caramel Cookie Squares

Chocolate and caramel . . . such an awesome combination!

This recipe will satisfy any sweet tooth cravings for sure.

Perfect dessert to take to a party.

Ingredients

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated chocolate chip cookies

1 cup quick-cooking oats

Dash salt, if desired

2/3 cup caramel ice cream topping

5 tablespoons Pillsbury BEST® all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup Fisher® Chef's Naturals® Chopped Walnuts

1 cup Hershey's® semi-sweet baking chips (6 oz)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. 

In large bowl, break up cookie dough. 

Stir or knead in oats and salt. 

Reserve 1/2 cup dough for topping. 

In ungreased 9-inch square pan, press remaining dough mixture evenly in bottom to form crust.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until dough puffs and appears dry.

In small bowl, mix caramel topping, flour and vanilla until well blended. Sprinkle walnuts and baking chips evenly over crust. Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture. Crumble reserved 1/2 cup dough mixture over caramel.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden brown. 

Cool 10 minutes. 

Run knife around sides of pan to loosen bars. Cool completely, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. 

For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store tightly covered.

Recipe and Photo Source:  Pillsbury.com 

from

Bake-Off® Contest 37, 1996

Niela Frantellizzi

Boca Raton, Florida

I shared this recipe at these linky parties:

Snickerdoodle Creme Cookies

Ingredients

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

5 tablespoons butter, melted

1 egg

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir sugar cookie mix, butter, egg and cream of tartar until soft dough forms.


In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar. Shape dough into 36 (1-inch) balls. Coat balls with the cinnamon-sugar mixture; place on cookie sheet.


Bake 7 to 9 minutes or just until cookies are just set. Watch them closely! You don’t want them crispy, browned, and over baked.


Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.


For each sandwich cookie, spread frosting on bottom of 1 cooled cookie. Top with second cookie, bottom side down; gently press cookies together.




Source:  Betty Crocker


I'm sharing this recipe at Talking Dollars and Cents 

Almond Cookies

Almond Cookies are

one of my favorites!

Ingredients

• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Spread the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden, 4 to 5 minutes; let cool.
2. In a food processor, pulse ½ cup of the almonds with ½ cup of the brown sugar until the almonds are finely ground. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and the remaining ½ cup brown sugar at medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat to combine. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually mix in the flour-nut mixture just until combined (do not overmix). Gently fold in the remaining ½ cup almonds.
4. Form the dough into two 12-by-1½-inch logs. Refrigerate, tightly wrapped, until firm, about 2 hours or up to 2 days.
5. Heat oven to 350° F with the racks in the upper and lower thirds. Working with 1 log at a time (keep the other chilled), cut it into ¼-inch slices and place the slices on 2 baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until golden, 9 to 11 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
6. Storage suggestion: Keep the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Source:  Real Simple

By Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez,  December 2011

Almond Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup ground almonds
1 tsp alomond extract
2 cups flour

Garnish: confectioners' sugar, edible glitter



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Lightly grease the baking sheets.

In a large bowl and using an electric mixer, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar until creamy.

Add the almonds and the almond extract. Beat well.

Slowly beat in the flour.

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately remove the cookies to waxed paper.

Garnish by sifting generous amounts of confectioners' sugar over the warm cookies. Sprinkle with edible glitter, if desired.

Makes 36 cookies



Recipe Source: Victoria Magazine - Party Favorites

Coconut Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup flaked coconut


Directions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugars until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg and the vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and the salt.

Gradually add to the creamed mixture. Mix well.

Stir in the coconut.

Shape into two 3 1/2 inch rolls.

Wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.

Unwrap and cut into 1/8 inch slices.

Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 425 F for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove to wire racks to cool.

Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies


SOURCE: Taste of Home

Caramel Cashew Chewies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 pkg. (14 ozs.) caramels
1/3 cup half-and-half
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
1 cup salted cashew halves, chopped



Directions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter and the brown sugar.

Beat in the egg.

Stir in the flour and the oats.

Press into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the caramels and the cream.
Cook over low heat for 4-5 minutes or until the caramels are melted.
Stir occasionally.

Pour over the crust. Sprinkle with the chocolate chunks and the cashews.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the chocolate is melted.

Cool on a wire rack before cutting. Makes 3 dozen depending on size cut.


Recipe Source: Taste Of Home - Amber Kieffer

Cookies and Bars

If you have a sweet tooth and love to make
cookies and bars, here's a great find . . .
an awesome listing of recipes for all types of cookies . . .


Cookies and bars


I've added this website to the links
section on the side bar
for future reference

Coconut Oatmeal Crispies

1 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup flaked coconut
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.

Combine the oats, flour, coconut, baking soda, and the salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Shape into two 6 inch rolls. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Unwrap the dough and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove to the wire racks to cool. Makes 4 dozen

Gooey Chocolate Cookies

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 pkg. (18 1/4 oz.) chocolate cake mix


In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and the vanilla. Add the cake mix and mix well. The Dough Will Be Sticky.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Roll rounded tablespoonfuls of dough into balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 350 F. for 9-11 minutes or until the tops are cracked. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Makes about 4 1/2 dozen



Recipe Source: Taste Of Home - Angela Bailey