Tag: cookies

Cookies and Bars

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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The grandkids love chocolate chip cookies as well as peanut blossom cookies, so this recipe was a ‘must make’ for the grandkids. They were delicious and a easy way to combine our favorite flavors of peanut butter AND chocolate.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 1/2 cups (318 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup (202 grams) creamy peanut butter 
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (200 grams) packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups (340 grams) semi sweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large heat safe bowl, microwave the butter until melted. Vigorously stir in the peanut butter into the hot butter until well combined. Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Add the eggs and yolk, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add in the vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Dough may be a little loose and slightly crumbly. If it’s unbearably crumbly, that’s likely due to the brand of peanut butter. Add 2 tablespoons milk if that’s the case.
  4. OPTIONAL: If time permits, cover the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours but no more than 72 hours. Let the dough sit at room temperature just until it is soft enough to scoop. 
  5. Divide the dough into 3-tablespoon sized balls using a spring-loaded scoop and drop onto prepared baking sheets. Flatten dough slightly into disc shapes with your palms. Dot each disc with a few extra chocolate chips for picture-perfect cookies.
  6. Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Recipe from handletheheat.com

Cookies and Bars

Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies

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Yummy sugar cookies compliments of daughter, Megan! How wonderful when she comes to visit and decides to bake, too.

Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2½ cups (318 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
  • 1¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar, plus ¼ cup (50 grams) for rolling
  • 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to combine.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed to beat the butter and 1¼ cups sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, and beat until combined. Slowly beat in the flour mixture.
  4. Place the remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a shallow dish. Using a large (3-tablespoon) spring-loaded scoop, divide the dough into balls, then roll in sugar to coat evenly. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart, and flatten slightly with the bottom of a measuring cup.
  5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies set and begin to brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Recipe from Handletheheat.com

Cookies and Bars · Czech Heritage and Dishes

Czech Vanilkove Rohlicky (Vanilla Crescents)

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Czech recipes of all types are fun for me to make and eat. December 2021 I joined Sokol San Francisco for their Christmas cookie webinar. It was a wonderful class and I chose to make the Vanilkove Rohlicky. The burst of lemon in every bite is so refreshing and delicious. The substitution of almonds for walnuts was delicious as well. I’ve attached a link to the full YouTube video to enjoy!

CZECH VANILKOVE ROHLICKY

INGREDIENTS:
  • 240 g flour, sifted
  • 180 g butter, room temperature (increase by 2 tbsp. if using almonds)
  • 120 g ground walnuts (I used almonds)
  • 60 g sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest (optional)
  • vanilla sugar & confectioner’s sugar for coating
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
  2. Grind nuts to course texture.
  3. Mix ground nuts with sifted flour, egg yolks, sugar and butter (cut into smaller pieces). Add lemon zest. (My cookies were a little dry, so I added juice of 1/2 a lemon).
  4. Work into smooth dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days ahead of baking.
  5. Divide the dough into four pieces. Roll each into a strand about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Cut the strand into small equal-size pieces (about 1/2 inch).
  6. Roll each piece into a ball then flatten between your hands. Press side of cookie inward to make a crescent shape. Don’t make them too long and skinny since they will break very easily.
  7. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  8. Let cool slightly, but still warm, roll each crescent in a bowl of confectioner’s sugar mixed with vanilla sugar. You can also sift the sugar mixture over the baked cookies.

Recipe from San Francisco Sokol Czech Christmas Cookie Class 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5dXDRkEnEM

Cookies and Bars · Desserts

Caramel Cookie Bars

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Caramel Cookie Bars should be classified as a sin…but a very delicious one! Daughter, Megan, made these to take to friends that recently had a baby and she shared a piece with me. Oh my gosh! They are decadent and perfect for a special occasion.

Caramel Cookie Bars

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups chocolate chips/chopped chocolate use your favorite (I like a combination of milk and semi sweet)
  • 40 Werther’s Soft Caramels (this is 2 small packages)
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condesned milk
  • sea salt optional
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
  2. Prepare a 9×9 pan by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with non stick spray.
  3. Measure out the chocolate chips/chopped chocolate into a bowl. Set aside.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until smooth, light in color and fluffy. This will take a few mintues.
  5. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix in the egg add vanilla.
  6. Once completely combined, stop the mixer and add in the flour, baking soda and salt.
  7. Start mixing slowly, once the flour mixture is about half way incorporated into the dough, pour the chocolate chips/ chopped chocolate into the mixer and allow everything to mix together.
  8. Stop the mixer as soon as the flour is completely incorporated. Avoid over mixing. Set the cookie dough aside.
  9. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, stir to combine the caramels and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
  10. Divide the dough in half and press half into the bottom of your prepared 9×9 pan.
  11. Pour the caramel mixture on top of the cookie dough. Spread until evenly covered.
  12. Take large portions of the remaining cookie dough, flatten them in your hand and then place on top of the caramel.
  13. Bake in your 350° oven for 25-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is just set.
  14. Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.
  15. Let the cookie bars cool COMPLETELY before cutting.
  16. Cut the bars into your desired size and serve.
  17. Store in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

Recipe from CookingwithKarli.com

Cookies and Bars

Chocolate Crinkles (Dairy Free)

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Chocolate Crinkles were a favorite cookie of my childhood. Through the years I made them for my kids as well. Now the grandkids can enjoy them and help, especially rolling the dough in the two sugars. We made our cookies bite size and they were perfect. Little bites of chocolate perfection and…bonus…dairy free!

Chocolate Crinkles (Dairy Free)

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cups all-purpose flour (130 grams)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (65 grams)
  • 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed (165 grams)
  • ¼ cup white sugar (50 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup oil (60 milliliters)
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla sugar or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

For rolling

  • 1/2 cup white sugar (100 grams)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (65 grams)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Whisk together flour, cocoa, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  2. Add eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix using your hands. At first it will seem like there isn’t enough liquids and like the mixture is dry and grainy. This is fine. Keep mixing until you see the mixture develop into dough.
  3. Roll the dough into about 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters size balls.
  4. Roll each ball first in the granulated sugar. Then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar.
  5. Place the balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Add more powdered sugar on top of the balls.
  6. Preheat the oven to 325°F or 160°C . Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Recipe from thetasteofkosher.com

Cookies and Bars

Salted Peanut Butter Cookies

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Gluten-free, dairy-free peanut butter cookies with only 4-5 ingredients. Wow! These cookies are amazingly good. I love the salt and sweet combination. If you don’t like the salt, leave it out. My daughter, Megan, made these and the grandkids loved them, as did the adults.

Salted Peanut Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups smooth peanut butter (see note at end)
  • Coarse-grained sea salt, to finish
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk together the light brown sugar and eggs until incorporated. Whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the peanut butter and mix with a spatula until smooth and completely incorporated, and until no ribbons of peanut butter can be seen. You know the dough is ready when it has the consistency of Play-Doh.
  3. Using a scoop or a spoon, form the dough into 12 approximately 2-inch (2- to 2 1/4-ounce) balls and place them on the prepared rimmed sheet pan. For smaller cookies, use a heaping tablespoon.
  4. Sprinkle the dough balls lightly with coarse-grained sea salt just before baking. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, turning the rimmed sheet pan once halfway through baking (for smaller cookies, bake for 16 to 18 minutes). When finished, the cookies will be lightly golden and cracked on top. Let cool completely before serving.
  5. You can bake these cookies as soon as the dough is prepared, but they will retain their shape better if you freeze them for 15 minutes before baking. 

Chef’s Tip: While the all-natural stuff works just fine, Skippy is our peanut butter brand of choice for this recipe as we’ve found it retains the dough shape best. These tasty cookies are gluten-free!

Recipe from Oven.ly

Cookies and Bars · Family · Family Favorites

Dan’s Oatmeal Cookies

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Dan sent the recipe for these delicious cookies to daughter, Megan, and we loved them! They are chewy and ‘healthy’ or so we told ourselves. It’s wonderful to share our recipes with family and friends! Thanks, Dan!

Dan’s Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 pound margarine
  • 2 cups brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 6 cups uncooked oatmeal
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 8 oz. walnuts (optional)
  • 6 oz. dried cranberries or cherries (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream margarine and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well.
  3. Combine all dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture.
  4. Drop cookies onto cookie sheets and bake until golden brown.

Recipe shared by Dan Stout, a family favorite