Holiday Cookies: My Family's Favorite Cookie

You are intrigued, right? Well this cookie goes out to my entire family but most importantly, to my late Grandma. The funny thing about this cookie is that EVERYONE in my family loves this cookie except me...actually, it's just weird. However, my Grandma made this cookie for my mom and her siblings and now my aunts make these for us, and now I am returning the favor and making it for them...and one day, I guess I will make it for my kid(s)? Yes, I will.

Now you must be wondering, what is this cookie that is at the center of your family? Mincemeat Cookie. It's special, it's delicious...and although we have them at the holiday season (that's when you can get mincemeat), we really like to eat them all year round.

If you start making this cookie, you will love it. I promise.

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs beaten
1 9 oz. package of Borden Nonesuch Mincemeat

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 375
2) In one bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda
3) In another bowl, cream butter, sugar until fluffy. Add eggs until smooth.
4) Stir in mincemeat to wet mixture and then gradually add flour mix. Mix super well.
5) Roll into two inch dough balls and place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
6) Bake for about 10-12 minutes until slightly browned.
7) Share and Enjoy!!!

These cookies are about family and that is good enough for me. <3

Made: 12/24/10
"Posted": 12/25/10
Posted: 06/03/11

Holiday Cookies: Sugar Cookies

These are simple and classic...and easily adaptable to any situation.

Adapted from Food Network

Makes about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tablespoon milk

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees (after mix has been refrigerated)

2) Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

3) In another bowl, place butter and sugar and beat until light in color.

4) Add egg and milk and beat to combine.

5) With your mixer on low speed, gradually add flour. Wrap the dough in waxed paper and refrigerate for 2 hours.

6) Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator and roll it out until its about 1/4 inch thick. Becareful to not let the dough stick.

7) Form cookie shaped circles and place about at inch apart on a greased baking sheet.

8) Bake for 7-9 minutes until the cookies just BEGIN to turn brown.

9) Remove from oven. Top with red and green sprinkles (or whatever colors you fancy). Cool.

10) Share and Enjoy!

Just fun.

Made: 12/24/10
"Posted": 12/25/10
Posted: 06/03/11

Holiday Cookies: Gingersnap Cookies

These are one of my favorite holiday time cookies. However, they are so good that sometimes I am tempted to make them all year round. Just saying...

Additionally, I am not a huge proponent of using shortening while baking (yeah, it's kind of gross), but a couple of the holiday cookie recipes I use, utilize it...so yeah.

Adapted from Allrecipes

Ingredients

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/3 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 250 degrees
2) Sift the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a mixing bowl. Blend well.
3) Beat together the shortening and white sugar followed by the egg and molasses.
4) Add the dry ingredients into the molasses mixture and mix well.
5) In a separate small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.
6) Make 1 inch balls of dough and roll them into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7) Place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
8) Bake for about 8-10 minutes until the cookies crack slightly.
9) Share and Enjoy!

What is the holiday season without gingersnap cookies?!?

Made: 12/24/10
"Posted": 12/25/10
Posted: 06/03/11

Oatmeal Holiday Cookies

These are like Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies but better. Only because they have Holiday M & M's instead...so that automatically makes them better. Just saying. Make these next Christmastime, your family will love you.



Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup M&M's

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, white sugar until smooth.
3) Beat in eggs and then add vanilla
4) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt.
5) Stir the dry ingredient mixture into the creamed mixture until well blended.
6) Add in the oats and fold in the M&M's.
7) Drop by spoonfuls onto un-greased cookie sheet.
8) Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven and let cool on the baking sheet.
9) Share and Enjoy!

Yeah just make them any holiday...and add the seasonal M&M's! So much fun.

Made: 12/22/10
"Posted": 12/22/10
Posted: 06/02/11

Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Holiday time= Cookie Time. This was my pre-cookie mania but these were really simple and super tasty. A little bit of mint extract goes a long way...

Adapted from Food.com



Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) In a small bowl, mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt
3) In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, eggs, and extracts until well blended.
4) Stir dry mixture into wet mixture until just combined.
5) Fold in chocolate Chips
6) Cover bowl and refrigerate for two hours (or don't...).
7) Roll cookie dough into 1 inch balls and place 1 1/2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookies sheets.
8) Bake for 11-13 minutes
9) Share and Enjoy!

These are super simple but I really liked the hint of peppermint because it was so unexpected. A perfect holiday cookie primer. :-)

Made: 12/11/10
"Posted": 12/11/10
Posted: 06/01/11

Oatmeal Blueberry Scones

Well my secret is out. Breakfast is my favorite. If I could eat breakfast for every meal of the day, I probably would be tempted to do so. That being said, I think it makes complete sense that muffins and now scones have been a recent popular item on BOOF. However, making scones have always scared me. I realized that I needed to conquer this fear so gathered up my courage and made some scones. They were good. They had blueberries. They also had oatmeal. I really like those things. I like them even more together in the scone form.

Adapted from Epicurious

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups plus 2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
1 Cup of Blueberries
2/3 cup buttermilk plus additional for brushing

Directions

1) Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.

2) Sift together flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3) Add 1 1/3 cups oats and mix together with your hands.

4) Add butter and and work until mixture resembles coarse meal with some small lumps.

5) Transfer to a bowl and add buttermilk and stir with a fork until a dough just forms.

6) Gently knead on a floured surface a few times.

7) Pat into a 9-inch square (1/2 inch thick). Cut into 9 (3-inch) squares. Cut each square diagonally to form 2 triangles. (Or just make approximately 18 two inch blobs.

8) Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

9) Brush with buttermilk and bake until golden brown, about 16 minutes.

10) Share and Enjoy!

These were raved about. I will make scones again. They are the best when the just come out of the oven and still have a little warmth to them. Ugh, I want these with coffee right now. Like this second. Sigh.

Made: 12/09/10
"Posted": 12/09/10
Posted: 06/01/11

Cranberry Lime Muffins

Apparently I go on sprees. Cookies. Muffins. Pasta. Yeah, it's a little weird. I guess I'm consistent though? These bad boys are tasty and tart and a perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee and the morning paper...for those of us who still read the paper and do the crossword. :-)

Adapted from Joy the Baker

Ingredients

7 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lime
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1/4 cup granulated sugar for topping

Directions

1) Put a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2) Line muffin pan with paper or foil liners or grease muffin pan

3) Melt and brown butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Watch carefully and remove from heat.

4) Whisk milk, egg, yolk, vanilla and lime zest until combined. Add the brown butter and combine.

5) Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl

6) Add milk and butter mixture all at one and stir gently to combine.

7) Gently but thoroughly fold in the cranberries.

8) Divide the batter among muffin cups and spread evenly and sprinkle with granulated sugar.

9) Bake for about 18-20 minutes and a toothpick comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes.

10) Cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes then remove from the pan.

11) Share and Enjoy!

These are really quite good especially for those who like tart flavored things. I really like the nutty flavor that the browned butter brought to the muffin and the lime provided the perfect citrus balance. I will make these again soon. Yes, yes I will.

Made: 12/08/10

"Posted": 12/08/10

Posted: 06/01/11

Pumpkin Walnut Butterscotch Muffins

Apparently I was feeling like muffins on this particular day. I also felt very "autumnly" (don't judge me, I know it is not a word) and decided that I wanted to make some sort of pumpkin muffin because all of the pumpkin cookies that I had made prior went over extremely well. For some reason in my mind, both walnuts and butterscotch seemed like they would go together with pumpkin and trust me, they did.

Adapted from Food.com

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
2 cups of flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups of raisins
1 cup of butterscotch chips

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2) Mix together sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin and water in a large bowl.
3) Sift together all dry ingredients and add to mixture.
4) Fold in raisins and walnuts.
5) Place in greased muffin tins and bake at 400° for 15 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
6) Share and Enjoy!!!

Yeah when fall comes back around, please make these. Do it for me as a favor. You will not regret it.

Made: 12/05/10
"Posted": 12/07/10
Posted: 06/01/11

Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins

I was tempted to make these eggless. Next time, I think I will. Nevertheless, this a very tasty simple blueberry muffin with a hint of apple flavor that I think you will enjoy as much as I did.
Additionally, if you are not a blueberry person (which is just odd), I would not be oppose to adding whichever berry you love the most. And if you are very feeling very daring, add more than one type of berry! GASP! I think summer requires it...

Adapted from Joy the Baker

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tbsp canola oil (I used the almond oil I had on hand)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Directions

1) Grease and flour your muffin pan. (You could use muffin liners but I personally don't think muffins should have liners. Cupcakes, yes. Muffins, no...but that is just me!)

2) In a large bowl combine all of your dry ingredients: flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

3) In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg.

4) Make a well in your dry ingredient mixture and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist.

5) Fold in blueberries.

6) Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

7) Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8) Share and Enjoy!

I am going to be completely honest with you and I think these came a out a little heavier than I would have liked. Everyone still loved them but I also think I would maybe do away with the egg (as I had previously mentioned) and just add more apple sauce to be a binding agent. Or maybe even yogurt....hmm. I like where this is going. So yeah, still make them because people really like their blueberry muffins. :-)

Made: 12/05/10

"Posted": 12/06/10

Posted: 06/01/11

Pecan Pie

My Dad's most favorite dessert in the world is Pecan Pie. After making this for him, I told him that if I knew how easy Pecan Pie was to make, I would've made it a long time ago for him! Even if this Pecan Pie didn't turn out as well as it did, he still would've loved it because he loves Pecan Pie just that much. Also, he is my dad so I believe that I can do no wrong in his eyes? Or something like that...

Adapted from Epicurious

Oh and please excuse me as I use store bought crusts. Apparently, my grandma did it and she was a boss, so I will follow suit and do it too. HUMPH.

Ingredients

Crusts

3/4 stick unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

2 cups pecan halves (1/2 pound)

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350degrees with baking sheet on middle rack
2) Place crust on baking sheet for 8-10 minutes until slightly browned
3) Meanwhile, melt butter in a small pan over medium heat and add brown sugar while whisking until smooth.
4) Remove from heat and whisk in corn syrup, vanilla, orange zest and salt.
5) Lightly beat eggs in a medium bowl and then whisk in the corn syrup mixture thing.
6) Place pecans in a pie shell and pour corn syrup mixture evenly over them.
7) Bake on hot baking sheet until filling is set, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
8) Cool. For real. Cool.
9) Share and Enjoy! (oh and throw some ice cream on that bad boy!)

My dad loved it which was to be expected. However, I also had a slice and enjoyed it and I am not the hugest proponent of pecan pie, so I think that is saying something?!? If you have a pecan lover in your life, just make it for them because they will be greatly appreciative...and it is easy!

Made: 11/24/10
"Posted": 12/05/10
Posted: 06/01/11

Brown Rice Casserole

Oh Hey Heidi. Thanks for continual vegetarian deliciousness. I really do appreciate it.

Sincerely,
-Karri


I am not sure why I haven't made this since my original adventure because it was so delicious...and got better by the day. I believe that I will have to get on that soon. However, although this dish is vegetarian, you obviously don't need to be one to enjoy it but if you do insist, I think you brown up some ground beef or turkey and it would work well with the rest of the ingredients.

Adapted from 101 Cookbooks

Ingredients

1/2 pound of sliced and cleaned mushrooms ( I just used a pint)
1 large onion
3 gloves of garlic
3 cups of cooked brown rice
2 large eggs
1 cup of feta cheese
1 cup of black olives
2 cups of spinach
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup of parmesan cheese

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Boil and cook brown rice
3) Heat a medium saucepan with a dab of oil and oil a 9x13 or 9x9 (just depends on how much you make) baking pan.
4) Add mushrooms to the pain and saute with olive oil.
5) Add onions to the pan and cook for another 4-5 minutes until translucent
6) Add in garlic to the pan and stir for another minute or so.
7) Add Spinach and mix until they begin to wilt.
8) Turn of the heat and add brown rice to the pan and mix well.
9) In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, cheese and salt.
10) Combine the brown rice mix, black olives and the egg mixture, stir well and then spread evenly in your baking dish
11) Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and cover with foil and place in the oven for 30 minutes.
12) Remove foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes until a pretty golden brown on the outside border.
13) Top with remaining cheese and fresh herb of your choice
14) Share and ENJOY!

Yeah, I need to make this again. Warms my heart just thinking about it. Also, another cool thing about this dish is that you can make it and really cater it to your personal liking...add whatever you would like, it is sure to be delicious.

Made: 11/21/10
"Posted": 12/04/10
Posted: 06/01/11

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes I read the recipes on the side panels of the package of the flour, or the nestle chips or whatever. This is precisely what happened in this instance. The side package of your standard Gold Medal All-Purpose Flour featured this tasty Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip recipe. These are quite simple and good and especially a treat for the peanut butter lover...and we all have a few of those in our lives.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup of cream peanut butter
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2) Cream butter, peanut butter, sugars and egg. Beat until fluffy.

3) Whisk the flour, baking powder, soda and salt together.

4) Add the flour to the butter/egg mixture and beat.

5) Fold in the chocolate chips

6) Roll cookie dough into approximate two inch balls and place on baking sheets.

7) Bake for 10-12 minutes.

8) Share and Enjoy!

I really like these cookies. I mean what is there to not like about peanut butter and chocolate?

Made: 11/20/10
Posted: 12/3/10
Actually Posted: 05/31/11

Oatmeal Scotchies

These cookies will transform your life. You think I am kidding but I am COMPLETELY serious. For real though. These cookies are just so delicious and so simple that I wish that I had been consuming them my entire life (although my waistline would have not been too happy about it).

Make these. Just do it. You will not regret your decision. I PROMISE.

Side Note: I usually half the usual recipe because If I made the full recipe, I would have about four dozen cookies and would be tempted to eat every last one of them. Seriously.

Ingredients

3/4 Cup Flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup of butter

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup of Old-Fashioned/Quick Cooking Oats

1 Cup of Butterscotch Chips

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2) Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl and set aside

3) Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in a large bowl

4) Gradually beat in flour mixture over the course of 2-3 minutes

5) Stir in Oats and Butterscotch Chips

6) Round into approximate two inch balls and place them onto an baking sheet

7) Bake 7-8 minutes for chewy cookies

8) Cool on baking sheets for a couple of minutes...or just eat them immediately. your choice. i can't resist.

9) Share and Enjoy!!!!

Made: 12/02/10
Posted: 05/31/11

White Chocolate Craisin Cookies

Hi Friends.

It's been a while. Here is a repeat favorite that is always a crowd pleaser.

Oh did I mention it was super easy?


Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted BUTTER

1 cup packed light brown sugar (or dark...if you prefer)

2 Tablespoons milk

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup Craisins

Directions

1) Beat butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla for about 5 minutes. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture 1 cup at a time.

2) Fold in White Chocolate Chips and Craisins

3) Round in 2 inch balls and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F.

4) Share and Enjoy!

These are simple and delicious. Make them from your friends. Make them for your non-friends and they will want to become your friends. I promise.


Made: 12/08/10
Posted: 05/31/11