Easter Sugar Cookies

These sugar cookies are easy to make and they taste so good. They are crisp on the outside, but soft on the inside.  This is a recipe that you and your kids can have so much fun decorating with colorful frostings and sprinkles.

Ingredients

3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
 3 c. flour

Icing

4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 to 5 Tbs. milk
assorted food coloring
assorted sprinkles

Directions

Heat oven to 350°. Grease or spray a cookie sheet.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Pour in the buttermilk and mix in well. 

Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, and flour.  Mix thoroughly until you have a stiff dough.

Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thick. Cut with Easter shaped cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.  

Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the sides of the cookies just start to turn brown.

Remove to a cooling rack and allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting them.   

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk. Continue to add milk, beating well, until the icing is stiff enough to spread on top of your cookies. Beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk. If the frosting is too thin, just add some more powdered sugar.

Divide the icing into as many bowls as you want to make different colors for.  Cover the bowls with a sheet of plastic wrap, so it does not dry out. 

Decorate and frost the cookies as desires.  Let them stand for 30 minutes so the icing sets.  To store the cookies, place them in single layers, with waxed paper between each layer.  Store in a tightly sealed container.

Notes

If you don't want to cut the cookies out in a particular shape, simply roll the dough into walnut sized balls between the palms of your hand. Place on a prepared cookie sheet about 3-inches apart.

No-Bake Healthy Cookies

These no-bake cookies are a healthy alternative to the sugary cereals that people like to eat in the morning. Of course, these cookies will also make a healthy snack idea as well. They are so easy to make and the drizzle of chocolate is just perfect to set these apart.

Ingredients

2/3 c. peanut butter
1 1/2 Tbs. honey
1 c. oats
1/4 c. walnuts, chopped
2 Tbs. coconut
1 Tbs. sunflower seeds
2 Tbs. chocolate, chopped
1/2 tsp. coconut oil

Directions

In a bowl, combine peanut butter and honey.  Mix until well blended.

Stir in oats, walnuts, coconut, and sunflower seeds.  Mix until thoroughly combined.

Form cookies from the dough. Take about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the dough and roll it between the palms of your hands.  Place the dough ball on a sheet of parchment or waxed paper.  Flatten the dough out slightly to form a cookie. Continue forming the cookies in this manner until all the dough is used up.

In a microwave bowl, combine chocolate and coconut oil.  Microwave for 15 to 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat the process until the chocolate is melted.

Quickly drizzle the chocolate over the cookies.

When done, place in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before eating.  These healthy cookies will last between 4 and 5 days. 

Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies are buttery, shortbread cookies with jam or jelly in the center. You can use grape, strawberry, apricot or any flavor jam or jelly that you like best. 

The secret to making the best Thumbprint Cookies is not to overbake them. Just bake them until the bottoms are lightly browned, and the tops are set. If you overbake them, they become hard, dry and crunchy, and you'll be disappointed.

Directions

1 c. butter softened
2/3 c. sugar cream together
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/3 c. flour
jelly or jam

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly spray a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar together. Cream the mixture until light and fluffy.

Add in the egg and vanilla.  Beat well until thoroughly combined. 

With your mixer set on low, stir in salt and the flour.

Scoop out a tablespoon of cookie dough using a cookie scoop or a measuring tablespoon.  Roll the dough between the palms of your hand into a ball. Roll the balls in sugar and them on the prepared cookie sheet. 

Using your thumb or a tablespoon, make an indention in the center of each cookie dough ball. So not press so hard that you go all the way through the pan.

Spoon about a 1/2 teaspoonful of jelly or jam in the center of each cookie.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly browned.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling.  Store the cookies in an airtight container or cookie jar.

 Chocolate and Vanilla Sugar Cookie Pinwheels

These cookies take just a bit more work, but they will leave your guests and family wondering how you did them.  It is worth the extra step in making these cookies, especially if you love the taste of chocolate and vanilla.

Ingredients

1c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2  2/3 c. flour
2 Tbs. cocoa powder
1 Tbs. coffee

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 

Mix in the egg and vanilla. Beat well until thoroughly combined.

Turn the mixer to a low speed. Mix in the nutmeg and salt. Slowly stir in the flour. The dough should be stiff.

Divide the dough in half. Shape one half of the dough into a flat, thick disc and wrap it in plastic wrap or place it inside a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. Place the other half of the cookie dough back in the mixing bowl. 

With the mixer set on low, stir in the cocoa powder, and coffee.  Mix until combined. Remove the dough and shape it into a flat, thick disc. Wrap it in a sheet of plastic wrap, or place it in a plastic bag. Place this in the refrigerator and chill both dough balls for about 90 minutes.

Lightly flour a sheet of parchment paper. Remove the plain cookie dough disc from the refrigerator and plastic bag. Flour your rolling pin. Roll the dough out into an 8-inch by 14-inch rectangle. Remember to turn your cookie dough a quarter of a turn and dust the parchment paper with more flour, to keep the dough from sticking. Shape the edges with your hands, so they are straight and even. Set aside somewhere cool while you roll out the chocolate dough.

Get another sheet of parchment paper. Lightly dust the parchment paper and your rolling pin with cocoa powder. Roll the dough out into an 8-inch by 14-inch rectangle. Remember to turn your cookie dough a quarter of a turn and dust the parchment paper with more flour, to keep the dough from sticking. Shape the edges with your hands, so they are straight and even. Set aside somewhere cool while you roll out the chocolate dough.

Bring out the vanilla cookie dough. Carefully remove the chocolate cookie dough from the parchment paper and place on top of the vanilla dough.  Press the chocolate onto the vanilla cookie dough to remove any air pockets. 

Beginning at the long side of the dough, begin rolling the dough up into a log.  Try to roll the dough as tight as you can, using the parchment paper to help.

Cut the log in half, so you have two 7-inch logs. Wrap the dough logs in plastic wrap or in the parchment paper you just used. Bend the edges of the parchment paper or plastic over to seal the dough log inside. 

Chill the dough for at least 2 hours or longer.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly spray or grease a cookie sheet. You can also use parchment paper or silicone baking mats if you have them.

Remove one of the dough logs from the refrigerator. Remove the wrapping. Cut the dough in half-inch slices, so you have 14 cookies. Place the cookies 2-inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the outside edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes. Place the cookies on metal cooling racks to cool completely. Serve and enjoy.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies

If you are craving chocolate in a cookie, then this recipe will satisfy you. These are the classic sugar cookies, but they have chocolate in the ingredient list. They stay soft and chewy.

Ingredients

1 c. butter, room temperature
2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
1 2/3 c. flour
1 1/4 c. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, and brown sugar together until light and smooth.  

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Pour in the vanilla, and mix well.

In another bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.  You can sift the ingredients together. If you don't have a sifter, you can use a whisk to mix the dry ingredients together and lighten it up.

Add the flour mixture into the butter, stirring until just combined. Do not over mix. 

In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoon cocoa powder. Set aside.

Scoop some dough up with a regular tablespoon. Roll the dough into balls.

Dip the dough balls in the sugar, cocoa mixture. 

Place the cookie balls on a cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one. Dip the bottom of a glass in the cocoa sugar mixture, then press the cookies down. 

Bake for 8 to 10 (or longer, depending on your oven), until the tops are cracked looking. The cracks will still look wet, but remove them from the oven.  If you bake the cookies until they are dry looking, they will be hard, and not soft and chewy.

Notes

If you like nuts, you can add some chopped walnuts or peanuts to the batter.

You can sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar over the tops of the warm cookies.

Applesauce Spice Bars With Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

We have a lot of applesauce that we canned ourselves. This is one of our favorite ways to make a delicious dessert and use up some of that applesauce. We hope you enjoy making and eating this cake as much as we do!

Ingredients

1 egg
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. applesauce
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1 c. flour

Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. softened butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 c. powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat egg, brown sugar and butter until smooth. 

Mix in the applesauce.

Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, salt, and baking soda.  

Add the flour, mixing until well blended.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake 30 to 40 minutes.

When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Icing

Combine cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Mix until creamy. 

Mix in the vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.  

Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating until fluffy and fully combined.  

Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake. Slice and serve.

Notes

If the frosting is too thick to spread on the cake, add a little bit of milk, about a teaspoon at a time, to thin it.  

If the frosting is too thin, then add more powdered sugar. Only add a little bit at a time until you get the right consistency.

Soft Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Ginger cookies are our favorite cookies to make and eat. We love the ginger and molasses flavor, and the soft, chewy texture. 

Ingredients

3/4 c. shortening
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. molasses
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. flour
granulated sugar

Directions

Set oven to 350°. Lightly grease the cookie sheets. Or you can line them with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine shortening and brown sugar.  Cream until light and fluffy.

Beat in egg. Mix well. 

Pour in molasses. Beat until thoroughly combined.

Stir in cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and salt.  Mix thoroughly.

Stir in the flour, mixing until combined.

Cover the dough and place in the refrigerator for about an hour, otherwise the dough will be too sticky to roll into balls. 

Add granulated sugar in a bowl or low sided dish. You need this sugar to roll the dough balls in before baking. 

Remove dough from the refrigerator. Remove about a tablespoon and a half of cookie dough. Roll the dough between the palms of your hands.  

Roll the dough balls in the sugar and place the balls on a cookie sheet.  Put 12 dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet.  Do not flatten the cookies. They spread out as they bake.

 Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until done. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before you transfer them to a cooling rack.  Store in an airtight container.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are one of our favorite cookies.  Especially around Christmas time.

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. butter
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. buttermilk
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
6 c. flour

Directions

Heat oven to 350°. Grease a cookie sheet or line the cookie sheet with a silpat.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Pour in the buttermilk and mix in well. 

Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, and flour.  Mix until smooth.

Roll the dough into balls between the palms of your hand. Place on a prepared cookie sheet about 3-inches apart. Dip the bottom of a glass in sugar.  Press the sugared bottom on the cookie top and press down, so the cookies have a flat top.  Sprinkle with sugar or colored sugar.

Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the sides just start to turn brown.

Remove to a cooling rack and allow the cookies to cool.   Or at least try to wait that long.

Coconut Raspberry Drops

 The holiday season is here and it is time to start baking some delicious treats.  These coconut cookies are tender with flavorful raspberry preserves in the center.  They are easy to make and will disappear just as fast.

Ingredients

1/3 c. butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. orange juice
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 3/4 c. sweetened shredded coconut, divided
1 c. raspberry preserves

Directions

Set oven to 350°.  Get 1 or 2 ungreased cookie sheets. 

In a mixing bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Cream until light and fluffy.

Beat in egg, orange juice, almond and vanilla extract. 

Gradually mix in baking powder, salt and flour. 

Stir in 3 cups coconut. Mix well.

Cover the bowl with a sheet of plastic wrap.  Place in the refrigerator until the mixture is easy to handle. This takes about 30 minutes or so. 

Take a tablespoonful of cookie dough and form into a 1-inch ball between the palms of your hands.   Roll the balls in the remaining coconut. 

Place the balls on a cookie sheet. Using your finger, or the handle of a wooden spoon, make a deep indention in the center of each dough ball. 

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookie edges start to turn a light brown color.  Cool 60 seconds. If the indention has closed or become smaller, use the wooden spoon handle to gently make the indention big again. 

Remove cookies to a wire rack.  Fill the indention with raspberry preserves, strawberry jam, or the flavor you like best in preserves or jam.  Cool completely.

 Frosted Jumbo Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin is not just for making pies. They make delicious cookies as well. These cookies are big and full of flavor!

Ingredients

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c.  brown sugar
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/8 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 c. flour
1 c. oatmeal
2 c. chocolate chips
1 c. walnuts, chopped (optional)

Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 3/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.  Line 2 cookie or baking trays with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 

Add pumpkin and vanilla.  Mix thoroughly.

Add cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder and flour.  Stir in the oatmeal. 

Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts if desired.

Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto a baking sheet, keeping the cookies at least 2-inches apart. 

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned, and the cookies are firm. Remove the cookies from cookie sheets and place onto wire racks to cool. 

Mix frosting, if desired.

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and butter.  Beat until light and fluffy. You can tint with orange food coloring if desired.

Add the powdered sugar, and vanilla, beating until smooth.  Spread over cooled cookies.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Fall is in the air, and that means it is time for pumpkins. These Pumpkin Cookies stay soft, and they simply melt in your mouth.  Delicious goodness in every bite!

Ingredients

1/2 c. shortening or butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 to 1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. flour
1 c. raisins (optional)
1 c. white chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 c. nuts  (optional)

Frosting

1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened
3 Tbs. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.  Grease baking sheets.

In a mixing bowl, combine shortening, and sugar together. Cream until light and fluffy.

Beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly until combined.

Add soda,  baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and flour.  Mix well.   

Stir in raisins and nuts if desired.

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.  

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until edges are firm.  Cool on baking sheet for about 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack. 

Make frosting if desired.

In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar.  Stir until melted and smooth over low heat. 

Transfer this to a mixing bowl.  Stir in milk and vanilla.  

Add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. If the mixture is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk.  

Spread over cookie tops.  You may sprinkle more cinnamon over the top of the frosting if desired.

Blonde Brownies

Instead of making the traditional dark chocolate brownies, switch it out and try blond brownies. They have a buttery, butterscotch, and vanilla flavor.

Ingredients

1/3 c. butter
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. nuts, chopped (optional)
1 c. white or dark chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease or spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar with a wooden spoon. 

Beat in egg and vanilla.

Stir in baking powder, soda, salt, and flour.  Mix well.  

Add the mixed nuts.

Spread batter in prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should just be starting to turn golden brown.

You can also add the white or dark chocolate chips in the batter instead of sprinkling them over the top.

Quick and Easy Pecan Pie Bars

This is a quick and easy recipe that goes together fast. These bars have a tender shortbread crust, instead of the traditional crust. They are rich and delicious!

Ingredients

Crust

3 C. flour
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. butter, softened

Filling

4 eggs
1 1/2 c. corn syrup, light
3/4 c. granulated sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
3 Tbs. butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. pecans, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.  Lightly spray or grease a 10 x 15-inch jellyroll pan.

To make the crust, combine flour, granulated sugar and salt.  Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared jellyroll pan.

Bake for 20 minutes. Now is the time to start the filling.

In a large bowl, or you can use the bowl you mixed the crust in to save on washing more dishes, combine eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and vanilla.  Mix until smooth.

Stir in chopped pecans.  Spread the filling over the crust right when it comes out of the oven. 

Bake for 25 to 45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking. Bake until done. Lightly shake the pan to test for doneness. You will want the filling to move slightly in the center.  If the filling jiggles a lot, then the bars need to bake longer. However, don't bake them so long that there is no movement when you shake the pan because they will be overdone and not good at all. 

Cool on a wire rack before slicing into bars.

No Bake Butterscotchies

This is a simple and easy recipe to make no bake cookies.  It only takes about 10 minutes to whip up a batch of these cookies, and they disappear almost as fast.

Ingredients

1/2 c. evaporated milk
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 Tbs. butter
1 (6 oz.) pkg. butterscotch morsels
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. crisp ready to eat cereal
1 1/4 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Directions

 Line your counter or cookie sheets with waxed paper. You will need this done before you start to cook, because the mixture hardens rather quick.  

Combine the evaporated milk, brown sugar and butter in a 2-quart saucepan.  Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Continue to boil, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add the butterscotch morsels, and vanilla.  Stir until the butterscotch morsels melt, and the mixture is smooth.

Stir in cereal, coconut, and walnuts.  Mix thoroughly.

Working quickly at this stage, drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto waxed paper. The cookies will start hardening pretty fast at this point. Set them in a location where it is cool, so they will set up sooner. Enjoy.

 Macadamia Nut Cookies with Chocolate Chips

This is a really easy recipe and the cookies are delicious.  If you don't have macadamia nuts, you can use walnuts, or you can leave them out if you don't like nuts.  No chocolate chips? No problem. You can use white chocolate, or peanut butter chips.

Ingredients

1 c. butter, room temperature
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla or use 1/2 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/4 c. flour
1 c, macadamia nuts, chopped
1 c. chocolate chips, semisweet or milk chocolate, or peanut butter, or white chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. 

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.

Add the egg and vanilla.  Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.  

Add the vanilla and mix well.

Gradually stir in baking soda, salt, and flour.  Mix until thoroughly combined.

Stir in the macadamia nuts and chocolate chips. 

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. 

Bake for about 6 minutes. Remove from oven when the edges just begin to turn brown. Remove from oven and leave them on the baking sheet for 1 minute, so they can set and not be too soft.  Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate Chip Raw Edible Cookie Dough

 

Through the years, we have always loved eating raw cookie dough.   Now days, eating raw cookie dough has many people scared because it has raw eggs.  And now, some people have problems eating things with raw flour as it can make some people sick.  I have included three different ways to cook the flour first before you make these cookies.

Ingredients

1 stick butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 Tbs. milk
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 to 1 c. miniature  chocolate chips or butterscotch chips

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla together. Beat until thoroughly combined.

Add milk. Mix well.

Slowly add the flour, mixing in enough until the mixture is like a regular cookie dough. 

Stir in the chocolate chips with a wooden spoon. 

Grab some spoons and sit down to enjoy!

Notes:

To eliminate bacteria risks from the flour, you may want to cook the flour first. There are several ways to do this.

Place the flour in a medium-sized frying pan. Over medium high heat, stir the flour for 4 to 6 minutes.

Place the flour in a microwave safe bowl. Cook on high for about 50 to 60 seconds or until the flour reaches an internal temperature of 166°. 

Place the flour on a baking sheet. Toast the flour in a 350° oven for 5 minutes.

Irish Cream Cappuccino Cowboy Cookies

Irish Cream Cappuccino Cowboy Cookies are thick, chewy and delicious!  They are very versatile because you can add nuts, coconut, a mixture of different baking chips or even bits of toffee. 

This cookie recipe is one of my most requested recipes.  They never last long at our house, and every one wants our recipe.
 

Ingredients

1 c. butter, softened 

1 c. white sugar 

1 c. packed brown sugar 

2 eggs, room temperature

1 tsp. vanilla extract 

2 Tbs. Irish Cream Cappuccino (optional)

1 tsp. baking powder 

1 tsp. baking soda 

1/2 tsp. salt

2 c. all-purpose flour

2 c. rolled oats 

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips or bittersweet, white chocolate or even butterscotch chips
1 c. raisins (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease the baking sheets. 
 

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla. 

Stir in the Irish Cream Cappuccino, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour. Mix to combine. 

Add the rolled oats. 

Stir in the chocolate chips and/or raisins by hand, using a wooden spoon.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. You can also roll the dough between the palms of your hands to form round balls for a more even cookie.

Bake for 6 to 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven when edges are golden. 

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before placing them on a cooling rack.

Pineapple Raisin Drop Cookies

Surprise your family and friends with these easy to make, delicious pineapple, raisin cookies. These drop cookies stay moist.

Ingredients

1/2 c. soft butter or margarine
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c.  crushed pineapple, undrained
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c. flour
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease cookie sheets.

In a mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 

Beat in egg and vanilla.

Add pineapple and mix thoroughly.

Add baking soda, soda, and salt. Mix in the flour. Mix well.

Stir in raisins and walnuts.  

Drop by spoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on prepared cookie sheets. 

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Remove cookies and cool on racks.

Banana Squares

These bar cookies are so easy to make.  They are delicious and easy to take along to a potluck or on a picnic. Instead of baking banana bread, try a batch of bar cookies instead. 

Ingredients

1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. soda
dash of salt
2 1/2 c. flour
4 Tbs. buttermilk
4 large ripe bananas

Filling

1 c. brown sugar
1 can flaked coconut or 1 cup of bagged coconut
1 stick butter, softened
4 tsp. evaporated milk

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 325°.  Grease three 11 x 7 1/4-ingh pans. If you don't have this size pan, use two 9 x 9-inch pans and one 8 x 8-inch pan. You can also use three 9-inch pans, but the bars will be thinner and may not take as long to bake. 

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour in vanilla and mix in.

In another bowl, mix soda, and a dash of salt and flour.

Alternately, mix in about a half cup of flour and 1 tablespoon buttermilk. Repeat until the flour and buttermilk are mixed into the creamed mixture. 

Add bananas. Mix thoroughly. Pour into prepared pans.  

Bake for 30 minutes. Make the filling while the cookie dough is baking.

Mix the brown sugar, flaked coconut, butter and evaporated milk together.

In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, flaked coconut, butter and evaporated milk. Spread over hot baked mixture.  Bake for 7 minutes longer and cut into squares. 

 Toffee Almond Sandies

 Combine almonds and toffee bits to make a delicious tasting cookie. These are so good

 Ingredients

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
1 c. oil, vegetable
1 tsp. almond extract or vanilla
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 c. almonds, chopped
1 (8 oz.) pkg. English toffee bits
granulated sugar for rolling the cookie dough balls in

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. 

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.

Pour in the oil and almond or vanilla extract and mix until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Turn the mixer to low. Add cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. 

Gradually add the all-purpose flour, and wheat flour. Mix well. 

Stir in almonds and toffee bits. 

Take about a teaspoon of dough and roll it between the palms of your hands. The balls should be about 1-inch. Or the size of a walnut.  If the dough is too sticky to work with, place in the refrigerator for an hour or two to firm up.  Roll the balls into a bowl of granulated sugar.

Place on cookie sheets and flatten the tops with a fork like you would with peanut butter cookies.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets for 3 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.