Tag Archive | cookies

Christmas Almond Cookies

Dec11
Christmas Almond Cookies

Christmas Almond Cookies

Whether it’s for a cookie exchange, to share with family and friends, or to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve, nothing is better at this time of year than a batch of home-baked cookies.

Sure to be well received, these flavor-packed cookies are easy-to-prepare and are perfect for folks of all ages. One thing is certain; when it comes to celebrating the holidays, these festive cookies will help make the season bright.

Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS ALMOND COOKIES

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour
Almond Frosting
Holiday candy sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar; beat with an electric mixer until well blended. Add egg, milk, and extract; beat until combined. Gradually beat in salt and as much flour as possible; stir in the rest. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake until set and bottoms are light golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Cool completely. Dip tops of cookies into Almond Frosting. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

ALMOND FROSTING

2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 to 1/3 cup milk

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, extract, and 1/4 cup milk. Mix until smooth, adding more milk as necessary to reach desired consistency.

For more easy holiday recipes, order a copy of Cooking, Baking, and Making: 100 Recipes and DIY Ideas for All Seasons and Reasons

Fudge Brownies

Aug23
Fudge Brownies

Fudge Brownies

Fudgy home-baked brownies will add a sweet touch to any occasion. A time-honored treat, they’re the perfect choice for a summertime gathering.

Whether it’s a backyard get-together, a family reunion, or a picnic by the lake, these crowd-pleasing goodies are simple to make and are easy to transport.

One thing is certain: old-fashioned goodness never tasted so good.

FUDGE BROWNIES

Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon brewed coffee
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with foil, letting ends extend beyond edges on 2 sides. Coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together butter, vegetable oil, and sugar. Add eggs, coffee, and vanilla; whisk to combine. Add flour and cocoa powder; stir until smooth. Spread into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Remove brownies by lifting foil ends; peel off foil. Place on a cutting board and cut into squares. Makes 16 brownies.

Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Apr22

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Fudgy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

Save time in the kitchen and savor homemade cookies with this quick to prepare recipe. Chewy, dark chocolate oatmeal cookies laced with walnuts can be ready in no time by simply embellishing a package of brownie mix with a few ingredients.

Ideal for any gathering, this recipe makes it easy to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family and friends.

FUDGY OATMEAL WALNUT COOKIES

1 (18-ounce) package double chocolate brownie mix
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/4 cup water
1 egg
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, oats, cocoa powder, butter, water, and egg. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed. Stir in walnuts. Shape dough into 2 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets; dip fingertips in water and press cookies to slightly flatten. Bake until centers are almost set, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Jun26

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Satisfy the craving for chocolate and peanut butter by baking a batch of these flavorful cookies. Just in time for July Fourth celebrations, these no-fuss treats are an excellent choice for summertime get-togethers.

Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a hike through the woods, or a day at the beach, these little goodies are terrific for toting anywhere. Enjoy!

Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar, plus more for finishing
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, combine butter, shortening and peanut butter. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup sugar and brown sugar; beat until combined. Add egg and vanilla; beat until combined. Gradually beat in as much flour mixture as possible; stir in the rest. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll in additional sugar, place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Press cookies with the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass to slightly flatten. Bake until centers are set and edges are crackled, 7 to 9 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Jan16

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Similar in taste to brownies, these mouthwatering cookies are filled with rich chocolate goodness. Simple to prepare with on-hand ingredients, the microwave makes it easy to melt the chocolate chips, butter, and sweetened condensed milk.

By adding the remaining ingredients to the melted chocolate mixture, a decadent batter is ready for baking. Pair with a glass of milk and savor the ultimate in homespun comfort.

CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

1 cup flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup chocolate chips, butter, and condensed milk. Microwave on HIGH until chocolate chips have melted, about 2 minutes, stirring once halfway through; stir until smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips. Add flour mixture. Stir until smooth. Drop by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake until centers are almost set, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Easy Chocolate White Chip Cookies

Dec19

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Friday, December 19, 2014

Easy Chocolate White Chip Cookies

Easy Chocolate White Chip Cookies

Running out of time but still would like to bake cookies for Santa? Then head to the store and pick up a box of cake mix and a package of white chips, combine with a few pantry staples, and you’ll be on your way to batches of homemade cookies in no time.

By not having to roll and cut out dough or frost when cooled, it’s easy to get out of the kitchen quick. And Santa will surely be pleased to have a plate of fresh-baked cookies to welcome him. All that’s needed is milk and perhaps some food for the reindeer. Now this is one sugarplum of a shortcut that’s perfect on a long winter’s night.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas.

EASY CHOCOLATE WHITE CHIP COOKIES

1 (16.5 ounce) package plain devil’s food cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3 tablespoons water
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup white chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, butter, water, egg, and vanilla. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed. Stir in white chips. Drop by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake until centers are almost set, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Butterscotch Bars

Oct7

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Butterscotch Bars

Butterscotch Bars

Butterscotch Bars

Fall gatherings are better than ever when they include the yummy taste of butterscotch. Easy to prepare, these seasonal goodies are perfect for any autumn get-together.

Whether it’s a fabulous finale to a crisp fall dinner or a crowd-pleasing addition to any spooky celebration, these tasty morsels are ideal for picking up and nibbling. Both children and adults will delight in the old-fashioned goodness of a butterscotch-flavored treat.

Now this is a delicious way to savor a taste of autumn.

BUTTERSCOTCH BARS

CRUST
1 (16.5 ounce) package plain yellow cake mix
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3 tablespoons milk
1 egg

FILLING
1/4 cup butterscotch cook-and-serve pudding and pie filling mix
1/2 cup half-and-half or fat-free half-and-half
3/4 cup butterscotch chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For crust, in a large bowl, combine cake mix, flour, butter, milk, and egg. Press two-thirds of mixture into a 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake 8 minutes. Meanwhile, for filling, in a medium glass microwave-safe bowl, combine pudding mix and half-and-half. Microwave on HIGH until mixture boils, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Add butterscotch chips; stir until chips have almost melted. Spread butterscotch mixture over hot crust; sprinkle with the remaining crust mixture. Bake until filling is bubbly and crust is golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.

Easy Snickerdoodles

Dec4

Featured on WKTV NEWSChannel 2

Easy Snickerdoodles

Easy Snickerdoodles

Love the taste of Snickerdoodles but don’t have a lot of time to prepare them? Then put a package of yellow cake mix to good use by combining it with a few pantry staples for a shortcut version of a classic cookie recipe.

A terrific way to spend a snowy afternoon, making Christmas cookies is a fun family activity that will create fond memories to last a lifetime. And this recipe is perfect for little hands as they enjoy shaping the dough and then rolling it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

After the cookies are baked and cooled, arrange them on decorative platters like these Anchor Hocking Isabella Platters for a fun display of fresh-baked cookies that everyone will enjoy.

Whether you make them for Santa or share with friends who come to call, homemade Snickerdoodles will bring comfort and joy to those near and dear.

Here are more Easy Christmas Recipes from The Harried Housewife’s RECIPE BOX.

EASY SNICKERDOODLES

3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 (16.5 ounce) package plain yellow cake mix
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, flour, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake until centers are almost set, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Thanks to Anchor Hocking for providing serveware

Easy Christmas Recipes from The Harried Housewife’s RECIPE BOX:

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