Snickerdoodles

Now that I have more time on my hands, I’m going to share a holiday recipe everyday from now until Christmas. To make up for the veggie-filled healthy lasagna I posted on Sunday, I have a cookie recipe today. I made these cookies yesterday to celebrate being done with the semester.

They are very very good. The outside is crisp but the middle is soft and chewy. I like to make mine on the smaller side so that you can eat 2-3 instead of one.

Snickerdoodles

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks butter, at room temperature
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°, line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  3. In another bowl, combine butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat to combine.
  5. Add dry ingredients, and beat to combine.
  6. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the ground cinnamon.
  7. Use your hands to form balls of the dough, and roll in cinnamon sugar. {This is a great step for kid helpers}
  8. Place about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Bake until the cookies are set in center, about 10 minutes.
  10. Let cool before enjoying.
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On an unrelated note:

I just got back from my cousin Tabatha’s Christmas show at her preschool. Preschool is such a fun age- all of the kids are adorable! She told us she was a “moose”, which had my aunt and I scratching our heads wondering what a moose had to do with the nativity story. Turns out she was a donkey. :-)

 

 

Favorite Holiday Recipes

Things have been quiet here because I’m wrapping up the first half my internship and grad school! I’ll have an update soon and get back to my blogging action. In the meantime, with the holidays in full swing I thought I’d share some of my all time favorite holiday recipes.

Cookies
Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies with vanilla icing
I like anything by Giada and these cookies are a hit. The dough isn’t too sweet on its own so the vanilla icing is key to making these cookies extra special.
Toasted Hazelnut-Almond and Chocolate Biscotti
Hazelnut and Chocolate….need I say more? My favorite way to eat biscotti is to dip them in a piping hot cup of coffee. Perfectly acceptable for breakfast.
Greek Walnut Sugar Cookies (Kourabiedes)
These cookies are very similar to Mexican wedding cookies. Walnuts are ground finely, mixed with flour and rolled into small balls. After baking they are tossed with powdered sugar. The recipe calls for orange flower water but orange juice works as well.
Florentines
This lacey, crispy Italian almond cookie is very addicting and impossible to just eat one.
White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies
I don’t even like white chocolate but these cookies are delicious. I like to swap pistachios in place of the macadamia nuts.
Gingerbread Men
Once I found this recipe a few years ago I was hooked. This is the only gingerbread cookie recipe I make.
Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of my favorite ways to make a standard chocolate chip cookie more festive. Peppermint bark adds a hint of cool peppermint flavor that goes well with the chocolate.

Cakes, Brownies and Bars
Candy Cane Brownie Bites
I imagine these would be fun to bring along to a party. The recipe calls for a boxed brownie mix and candy cane Hershey kisses. They are perfect for a last minute dessert or for those who don’t like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes
How cute are these cupcakes? I can’t help by smile when I look at these.
Red Velvet Cake Balls
Fun activity with kids. Make the cake balls ahead of time and then let kids help you decorate them with different types of chocolate and candies.
White Chocolate Cranberry Bars
For those who like white chocolate these are the ultimate bars.
Eggnog Breakfast Crumble Cake
I bet this would be a delicious Christmas morning treat!

Candies for Gifts
Turtle Graham Bars
I made these twice last year during Christmas. Easy and delicious, sweet and salty.
Buttercrunch Toffee
Making toffee may seem scary but all you need is a good candy thermometer and recipe-following skills.
Salted Chocolate Caramel Bark
The moment I saw this recipe on Pinterest I knew I had to add it to my holiday baking list. All you need is 5 ingredients.
Triple Chocolate Cookies n’ Cream Peppermint Bark
Another recipe I made last year- contains dark, milk, and white chocolate topped with peppermint oreos.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Being the cookie dough lover that I am, I cannot wait to make these. I have a feeling these won’t last long once made.
Cranberry Walnut Biscotti
Dip these biscotti in melted chocolate, drop in a plastic bag and tie with a pretty bow for a yummy gift.

 

I’m looking forward to going home in 2 weeks and baking up a storm. What’s your favorite holiday cookie? I’d love more ideas!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies

It’s no surprise that I am a big fan of the sweet and salty combination. Chocolate with sea salt? Love. Salted caramel? Heaven. Peanut butter and chocolate? Delish.

Exhibit: My new obsession- Starbucks new Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino (Light)


I may not have always been a fan, but now there’s no doubt I love the sweet and salty party in my mouth. :)

There’s a famous compost cookie from Momofuku’s Milk Bar in Manhattan that inspired my desire to make a sweet and salty cookie. When I got the idea for a cookie that used crushed pretzels,  I didn’t know how well they would be received. In theory the combination of pretzels, peanut butter and chocolate chip sounded great. But would they actually turn out?

It’s a delicate balance between a touch of salt and overly salted.

I’m happy to report that these cookies are always a hit when I make them. I guess I’m not the only one who loves salted sweets.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies

Yield: 36 cookies

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies

Some people have a sweet tooth others prefer salt, but with these cookies you won't have to decide. Crunchy pretzels, peanut butter and chocolate chips are mixed into a standard cookie dough. The dough is then sprinkled with sea salt right before baking. These cookies satisfy the sweet and salty cravings in all of us.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 sticks butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 bag peanut butter chips
  • 1 bag chocolate chips
  • 2 cups mini pretzels, crushed (salted okay)
  • 1 cup salted peanuts, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars together.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla, scraping the bowl to make sure all the ingredients are mixed well.
  4. In a smaller bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  5. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
  6. Mix slowly until well combined.
  7. Fold in the peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, pretzels and peanuts.
  8. Form the dough into golf-sized balls or use a small cookie scoop, and place on a greased cookie sheet.
  9. Flatten each dough ball slightly and sprinkle with sea salt.
  10. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
  11. Let cool on a baking rack.
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