Alley's Recipe Book: cookies

Showing posts with label cookies. Show all posts

Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookies - total time 1 hour

I heard about the Food Blogger Cookie Swap a couple years ago and was so mad when I missed it last year! So I got on the reminder list and was probably one of the first to sign up for 2015. The premise is every blogger donates to Cookies for Kids Cancer then bakes three dozen cookies and sends a dozen to three random bloggers. It was fun coming home to cookies on our doorstep and connecting with bloggers from around the country!

I sent cookies to: Baking Bandit, Thyme & Passion, A Sprinkle of This and That
I received cookies from: Koko Likes, Bake Love Give, A Mama, Baby, & Shar-pei in the Kitchen

fbcookieswap

I have been baking these cookies for nearly 15 years now and everyone always loves them! It's easy to change it up a bit with different types of chocolates in the cookies... I started with Hershey Kisses back in high school because it was a cute shape inside when you bit it in half. But my favorites have been Reese cups and Dove dark chocolates. Mmmm...

There are no eggs in these cookies, so when you inevitably taste a little (or a lot) of the dough, it's okay! There is no baking powder either. So these are definitely not your normal everyday chocolate chip cookies. They actually remind me of biscotti. So while you can certainly go the traditional route of having milk with your cookies, hot cocoa and coffee are also perfect accoutrements. So bake a batch, make some hot cocoa, and snuggle up by the fireplace and enjoy these tasty cookies with a little candy surprise inside! :)

Happy Winter Solstice! It was actually sunny today, but it has already been dark for hours (it is making me so tired). The darkest day of the year means the more sunshine in every day after! :)

Hope you're wrapping up on your holiday related shopping, baking, and giving, we just celebrated Christmas with my husband's family over the weekend. I was planning on making my mom's famous "melting moments" cookies made with almond extract. It took so long for her to share her recipe with me since it is one of those family secrets you just can't share willy nilly. I looked through my old recipe box that holds tried and true recipes I wrote down before I started this blog and before I had my recipe binder... I could not find the recipe!

At that point I had it in my head that I needed to make these cookies, I could almost taste them. During our vacation in Europe, I realized I pretty much love any almond related pastry! So I had to make some kind of almond cookie... came up with this recipe... and it was a hit at our early Christmas... and since it isn't a family secret recipe, I can share it with you!

These cookies have three different almond layers to make sure to satisfy that almond craving! It starts with the crumbly, almondy, shortbread-like cookie. Inside is a pocket of almond paste (new discovery!) that gives the cookie that soft, almost gooey center I love in cookies. And to finish it off with an almond sugar glaze. If you like almond, you'll love these cookies! (Then try it with coffee!)

I can't believe Christmas will be here next week! The season has really flown by (as did much of the year) and now I'm rushing around to buy meaningful gifts for everyone on our list. At least the tree is up and our house is modestly decorated (compared to my mom's house, where people take tours of the Christmas explosion). And now it is time to bake...

Most people think of those hard press cookies or sugar cookies decorated like Christmas trees when they think of Christmas cookies. I'm pretty selective about my desserts, might as well get the most enjoyment out of those sugary treats, and shortbread and sugar cookies don't make the cut for me. Instead, I make the cookies I prefer, but a little holiday twist on them, and it turns out, other people like them too. So here are five non-traditional Christmas cookies that you'll actually enjoy.

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip
There is no question these are holiday cookies when you add some green M&Ms to the dough. Red and green... check... delicious and soft... check!

Thick Mint Cookies
Ditch the dull candy canes and opt for these chocolate mint cookies instead. Kind of inspired by the Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie, these pack even more flavor.

Buckeye Bark
Maybe it is an Ohio thing, but buckeye candies are expected every Christmas. They aren't hard to make, but they are pretty tedious. Try Buckeye Bark instead and save yourself time in the kitchen.

Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip
Mmm... Nutella! Just think of biting into the perfect chocolate chip cookies with an ooey gooey chocolate center. These really don't have much to do with Christmas. It is the fact that they are the best cookies ever that gets them on this list.

Cake Batter
Hold the fruit cake, we're talking buttery yellow cake. These cookies stay so soft for days and days! Which makes it the perfect cookie to pack in a tin and take it from this party to that gathering. Add the red and green chips to make them festive. :)

Have fun baking!

Buckeye Cookies - total time 1 hour

If you live in Ohio, you're probably getting excited about the Ohio State bowl game (well, as long as you're over the loss to Michigan State). I'm sure there are other teams that get the same level of fan-demonium as the Buckeyes, but without a professional football home team to cheer for, everyone gets behind the Bucks.

For us, game time is a great time to get things done in town... no traffic, no crowds, no worries! But it is still fun for us to watch with a large group of friends and family with a spread of tasty appetizers and a few cutesy themed desserts!

I'm no stranger to a peanut butter and chocolate dessert... they are definitely some of my favorites! I love the sweet and salty mix, it just heightens the flavors. I remember making buckeyes in my freshman dorm room with only a microwave and my desk (no fancy double boiler, or even a stove top available) for the Ohio State v Michigan game. When you have to have buckeyes for the biggest rivalry in college football, you'll find a way.

So after years and years of making traditional buckeyes, I now try to twist that tradition into other desserts. Buckeye Brownies, Buckeye Bark, Buckeye Mix-Ins... to name a few. Well, my favorite dessert category is definitely cookies... so this year it is Buckeye cookies for game day!

Eep, I still have a good amount of Christmas shopping to do... what about you? I should really write my ideas down as soon as I have them because even a few minutes later I have forgotten and wonder around aimlessly for inspiration. Several hours were spent going from store to store today for those last few gifts. Inspiration was lacking even with the big sale signs covering most retailers right now. With so many sales, it is hard to keep from buying things for myself!

I'm finishing off my holiday baking today while the weather is a little dreary. Of course that involves more cookies, yum!

These Oreo cookie bars are kind of like taking a few Oreos and making a giant one, but the cookie part is more like an Oreo Truffle. So, if you like Oreos, this cookie is for you! It is so rich, I haven't been able to finish one yet. My husband, on the other hand, has had no trouble and sometimes gets a second!

It is the season of indulgence... where calories don't count because we are going to holiday parties, doing cookie exchanges, eating holiday meals, and spending time with our families (which usually means more food and drinks)!

Okay... so calories still count no matter when you eat them... But you shouldn't feel bad about enjoying some holiday treats... just don't go overboard!

This cookie is one you just can't pass up. It is soft and chewy with the buttery flavor you get from yellow cake. There is something about yellow cake and chocolate icing that even a person who doesn't care for cake (i.e. me) can't refuse a piece. Make that into a cookie and you have a perfect dessert!

nutella stuffed chocolate chip cookies - thump print method

OMG! I looove chocolate chip cookies! I also love Nutella! I have made Nutella stuffed chocolate chip cookies before and they were delicious... but really messy. And then I saw Izy's way to stuff her chocolate cookies with caramel and I realized she had something. I love this thumb print method... it keeps your hands clean and the Nutella stays in the center of the cookie... mmm...

So, I made these a couple weeks ago. I am usually making baked goods for a special event or to bring into work. In this case, we just really wanted some cookies at home. I ended up making about ten cookies at a time and leaving the dough in the fridge for later. That meant fresh, homemade cookies straight from the oven every other night... now that's how you make a girl happy!

After Lindsay at Pinch of Yum posted her Oreo Fudge Ice Cream Bars, I knew I had to make something similar because these are perfect for summer. So I made these for my step brother's 30th birthday!

Lindsay used and Oreo crust and made fudge sauce. Now I'm not a big fan of Oreos... actually I don't like them at all unless their in something... and even then. But I'm a huge fan of chocolate chip cookies! So I used that as my base and dark chocolate ganache as my barrier between the melty ice cream and chewy cookie.

Although cookies and ice cream have really always gone together (ice cream sandwiches!)... it wasn't until I had my first BJ's Brewhouse Pizookie that I became obsessed with this combination (okay, maybe obsessed is a strong word). So now I make my own quick pizookies at home when we have cookies and gelato on hand (which is pretty much always) by heating up the cookie for 15 seconds in the microwave. Makes such a big difference! (Note to self: stop making cookies and buying gelato, you can't help yourself.)

So back to these ice cream bars... sooo good! Although you can't heat the cookie and ganache to make that warm and cold pizookie combo, this is still just as delicious. The cookie is just a little under baked so is still tastes a little like cookie dough. The dark chocolate provides a rich crunch. And the ice cream is cool and creamy. You could eat these bars by just biting into them... or... the less messy way (based on experience doing both), with a plate and fork.

I completely thought I posted this recipe already and I looked back the other day realizing that I left the pictures hanging in draft status!

So remember two months ago when Girl Scouts were on every corner selling their beloved cookies. I know you bought a few boxes, everyone did. Now those cookies are long gone and you think you have to wait until next spring before you can enjoy those yummy treats again, right?

Wrong! You can get that same thin minty goodness from your own kitchen! This isn't a 'copy cat' recipe, so it isn't the exact same thing as a Thin Mint. Depending on your cookie preferences, it is probably better! :) Move over Thin Mints... thick mint cookies is where it's at. Melt in your mouth, covered in dark chocolate, minty, delectable morsels...

Are you the kind of person that goes out of your way to try something new, something different? It seems like that has been the trend for a lot of things, but especially beer. Microbreweries popping up everywhere. Growler stations, mix and match six packs, and bars with 50+ beers on tap making it hard to just go with a Bud Light. Some of the concoctions seem a little crazy, like one of my husband's go to summer beers Hell or High Watermelon; a wheat beer fermented with watermelon.

Any way, one of my co-workers loves to try new beers (I mean, I do too... but not as much as he does) and his birthday was coming up... so I tried to think of something to bake that would incorporate this interest. I figured beer and pretzels is a traditional bar combination. And while we had some different beer in the fridge... none quite as flavorful as Guinness. Add some chocolate and caramel and we really have cookie that everyone will love!

Warning: because the Guinness has to be reduced, this recipe takes a while!

2 cups Guinness
1.5 cups brown sugar, divided
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
.25 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp vanilla
2.5 cups flour
pinch of salt
1 cup caramel
1.5 cups pretzels, crushed

1. In a double broil, add Guinness and half cup of brown sugar. Allow Guinness to reduce to about .5 cup over low heat for about 30 minutes. The Guinness won't really get syrupy like other reductions... so measurement is key. Allow to cool in fridge for 15 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whip butter in mixer, then add all remaining sugar and whip until well combined. Add eggs and mix.
3. Add vanilla, Guinness reduction, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and mix to combine. Slowly add flour a half cup at a time incorporating into batter each time.
4. Remove batter from mixer and stir in chocolate chips, half cup of caramel, and half cup or crushed pretzels. Refrigerate dough for 15 minutes (or up to 24 hours).
5. Roll 1 inch balls and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. After cookies have cooled, drizzle caramel and sprinkle crushed pretzels on top.

Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies - total time 45 minutes

This is definitely a cookie to be enjoyed year round. A sweet graham cracker cookie base topped with cheesecake. You could make this cookie more of a mini cheesecake... but I made these for Christmas, so cookie it is!

Cookie
1 pack of graham crackers, crushed
1 cup flour
.5 cup butter
.5 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp vanilla
1 egg white (keep yolk for cheesecake)
1 tbsp baking powder

Cheesecake
.5 cup cream cheese
.25 cup sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 yolk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Crush graham crackers in mixer (I covered my mixer with a grocery bag to prevent any popping out and becoming doggy treats).
2. Beat butter in mixer, add brown sugar, and continue to beat. Add vanilla, egg white, and baking powder. Mix graham cracker and flour together separately and then add flour mixture into wet mixture slowly until well combined.
3. Combine cream cheese, sugar, yolk, and cocoa powder in a small mixing bowl.
4. Form golf ball sized balls with the graham cracker dough. Flatten and press spoon into dough to form cups. Pour cheesecake mixture into cups and bake for 12 minutes. Refrigerate after cooling.

Red Velvet Cookies - total time 2 hours

What could be a more perfect Christmas cookie than one that is red and green? Okay, probably sugar cookies decorated by little kids... but red velvet with green M&Ms seemed pretty perfect to me! Plus, I had a bottle full of green M&Ms that have been sitting in my cabinet for a couple months (from Pelotonia themed event at work). These turned out delicious! Great for cookie swaps and Christmas dessert tables.

1.5 cup flour

1 cup sugar

.5 cup butter

3 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tbsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

1 egg

1 tbsp white vinegar

1 tsp red food coloring

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter in mixer, add sugar, and continue to beat. Add vanilla, egg, vinegar, and food coloring and combine.
2. Blend in salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix cocoa powder and flour together and add to wet ingredients a little bit at a time. Hand mix green M&Ms (or chocolate chips) into dough, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least an hour.
3. Scoop onto pan in golf ball sized balls. Add additional M&Ms or chocolate chips to the top for color contrast. Bake for 12 minutes.

Apple Cider Caramel Cookies - total time 2 hours

A week of Christmas baking with several new cookies on tap! The first one is perfectly seasonal too. Our apple pile from the orchard is starting to dwindle and a couple were a little soft, so they were great to use in this recipe. The cookie tastes like an apple cinnamon shortbread. Warm the cookie up and the caramel is ooey goey. If you won't be able to warm the cookies up where you are taking them, a better alternative may be to frost them with a caramel frosting instead of the caramel candy inside (I am definitely trying this soon!).

.5 cup apple juice
1-2 apples, chopped
1.5 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp nutmeg
1 tsp all spice
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
2 dozen caramels

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small pot, cook apple juice and apple chunks over low heat to create an 'apple reduction'.
2. Whip butter in mixer, then add butter, and continue to whip. Add eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice and blend together.
3. Take apples off heat and allow to cool. The reduction should make about 3 tablespoons of apple syrup. Once cooled, add into batter.
4. Add flour a small amount at a time until everything has combined. Wrap dough in plastic and refridgerate for at least one hour.
5. Shape dough into two inch disks fold caramel into each one. Bake for 14 minutes. Reheat in microwave for 10 seconds before serving to soften caramel.