"Cooking is like love, it should be entered into with abandon or not at all." -Harriet Van Horne

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas goodies!

Here are the recipes from some of the cookies from my cookie swap the other night, as well as one of my new favorite goodies to make and hand out..homeade moose munch! Thanks to my friend Amy for firstly giving it to me and secondly, for sharing her recipe!

Homemade Moose Munch

2 boxes Toffee Crunch 'n' Munch
1.5 c. mini marshmallows (you can't tell in this picture, but I used snowman shaped marshmallows
2 c. pretzels (I used holiday shaped pretzels, but if you don't have those, use mini twists)
1 c. peanuts
1 c. holiday-colored M&M's
3 squares Almond Bark white melt
2 squares Almond Bark chocolate melt


Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Melt white squares in microwave. Mix in with dry ingredients. Spread on a cookie sheet. Melt chocolate squares and drizzle over top. Let chocolate harden (15-20 mins). Enjoy!


Maraschino-Cherry Cookies1 1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. butter, melted
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 egg whites
1 tsp. almond
3/4 c. maraschino cherries, chopped (1 jar, 10 oz.)
2 c. granola (without raisins)

Mix and cook at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
Watch carefully - do not let them brown too much - will finish baking on cooling rack - you want them to be soft. (These were SO YUM! And I don't even like maraschino cherries!)

Cranberry-Orange Cookies
Ingredients
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped cashews (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 2 teaspoons orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, cashews, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Flourless Peanut Butter Granola Balls

1/3 c honey
1/4 natural peanut butter
2 T unsalted butter
1 c rice crispies
1 c old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking oats)
1/3 c dried craisins, cherries, or raisins (there were craisins in this and they were sooo good!)

1. Heat honey, peanut butter, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until warmed through and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cereal, oats, and dried fruit.
2. Drop mixture by the tablespoon into mini paper cupcake or candy liners. Placce on a rimmed baking sheet and chill until set, about 15 minutes. Balls can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Ingredients
48 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar (I used colored sugar, red and green)

Directions

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
2 Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
3 Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 t salt
4 ripe bananas
2 c flour
1 t baking soda
1 c mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, and bananas. In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients and add to first bowl. Grease pans well and fill 2/3 pull. Bkae for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Makes two loaves.