Cookie Sliders

Cookies are good, but cookies with frosting are even better. The only problem is if you frost a cookie on top, there is no good way to stack and store them or they get ruined. This weekend I came up with the solution for that: Cookie Sliders. If the frosting is in the middle you can stack them all you want and they will stay in mint condition. You can pack them to stay fresh and they will come out looking just as pretty as they went in. 

For the sugar sliders I used my favorite sugar cookie recipe, and for the chocolate chip sliders I used the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. Then I added a dollop of white frosting in the middle and stacked 2 together. For the sugar set I added sprinkles to the sides. Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies

So, like I said yesterday I was on a baking bender last week. These tasty treats turned out oooohh so good. I love oreos and chocolate chip cookies, so this combo was perfect. I found my recipe from Lovin From The Oven.

Chocolate Chip Blondies

Saturday night, 9:00 PM and that sweet tooth rolls around. After seeing some chocolate chips in the cupboards, I jumped on the computer and found the perfect recipe for tonight, Chocolate Chip Blondies. This quick and easy recipe I knew would satisfy the craving, not to mention blondies are one of my favorite desserts.

Combine the sugar, butter, and eggs, and vanilla in a bowl.

Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the sugar mixture.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Spread into a greased pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

mmm...hit the spot

Baby Bites

In NYC there is a cupcake place called Baked By Melissa that sells bite sized cupcakes. They are a huge hit, and I must say are pretty tasty as well. With this in mind Bill came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea, so I put it to the test. Mini chocolate chip cookies.

Not sure what recipe to turn to I choose my pinterest favorite, The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie.

2 3/4 c (14.5 oz) all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/2 c (4 oz) unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 c (4 oz) Crisco (plain or butter flavored, I prefer plain)
1 c (6.5 oz) light brown sugar
1 c minus 2 T (6.5 oz) white sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 1/2 c (10 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips (Hershey's brand is best)
  
1. In a small bowl mix the flour, salt, and baking soda until the ingredients are evenly distributed.  Set aside.

2. Using a mixer, cream the butter and shortening on high until light and fluffy 1-3 minutes.

3. Add both sugars and beat on high 1-2 minutes. 

4. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until fully incorporated.

5. Add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated.

 

6. Touch test the dough.  It should feel slightly sticky, but not much should stick to your finger.  If it is very sticky add flour 2T (.5 oz) at a time.  If it is firm or dry, you have added too much flour and there is not a good way to reverse this.

7. Using your hands, roll the dough into balls your choice of size (I tried a variety of sizes ranging form a penny to quarter). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and add one chocolate chip to each cookie dough ball.  

8. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm.  You can hold the dough up to two days in the refrigerator or up to six months in the freezer. 

9. 15-20 minutes before baking, position the oven rack to the second highest setting. Preheat the oven to 375.  

10. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and bake 4-7 minutes depending on size of your balls.  They are ready to come out of the oven when they are domed and puffy, show a few signs of browning and look a bit underdone.  

11. Leave the cookies on the cookie sheet for (10)2 minutes.  Remove them to a cooling rack so they will cool evenly.  Wait ten minutes, then serve your Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie!

 We took them with us to our New Year's party and they seemed disappear quickly!

Sandy

 

Since I arrived late Friday night back to New Jersey it has been devastating witnessing what has happened to the cities affected by sandy. Even when we were still an hour and half away we started to see the affects it had when we had to stop and get gas. We thought we were thinking ahead and stopping far enough out, but boy were we wrong. The lines to get gas were insane, and even sadder people couldn’t get along in peace so they have called back up at all stations with about three police officers.

Anyways, yesterday we ventured over to Hoboken because its was close enough to walk to since around us all public transportation is still suspended. We had heard it was in much worse condition than our area. Most of the city was still without power, homes, food, blankets, heat, etc. Walking around I had an idea, since some of the restaurants that had enough resources were cooking outside and giving away free meals I thought well I am sure people would like something sweet to get with it. A quick trip to the grocery store and a couple hours in the kitchen later we had candy cookies and cookie brownie oreo bars to hand out.