Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies

Well, the son took some of the cheesecake to work, and it was a hit!  I decided to make some cookies to bring to my evening job tonight - so I whipped these up - thank goodness for AC -you can turn on the oven without feeling guilty.

Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies
1 c. crisco shortening
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 bag Nestle Chocolate Mint Chips

Mix all your ingredients together.  Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees! 

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake :)

The kids have been asking for a cheesecake, and then the son told his co-workers he would bring them some cheesecake - so I guess I had to buck up and make a cheesecake.  When I moved into this temporary apartment almost 10 months ago, I did bring my spring-form pan, because lord knows it's an ESSENTIAL.  Glad to say I dusted it off yesterday and I must say, as you will see in the pic, we did some taste testing last night! Oh and for those of you who have never made a "real" cheesecake - do not fear - it's not that daunting of a task.

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE
In your springorm pan, stir together 1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs, 2 tbsp. sugar and 1/3 c. melted butter.  Stir well and pat down to cover the bottom and a bit up the sides of the pan.  Set in freezer while you prepare the filling.
Preheat your oven to 325.

3 8 oz. pkg. Philadelphia cream cheese,  I used 1 regular and 2 light ones
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 1/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. sour cream, I used fat free
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips


Mix together your cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well mixed and light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each egg.  Stir in the sour cream and chocolate chips.  Pour into your chilled crust.  Bake for about 1 hour, or until the middle is no longer jiggly.  Turn off the oven and open the door and let cheesecake rest in there for 30 minutes.  Refrigerate a good 3 hours before eating - more time is even better.  Keep refrigerated.

Picture 1 is before it went into the oven....

Picture 2 is after some sampling occurred :)

Chocolate & Orange Sandwich Cookies~!

This morning I made my hubby his favorite breakfast in the world, simple and easy pancakes!  I can barely eat them anymore but don't tell him that after he left today I did have one - with cool whip & strawberries on it for breakfast.

I have always loved the chocolate /orange combo - in a box of chocolates I am forever looking for the orange cream chocolate :)  So here is a recipe that maybe will quench that craving for you too!

Chocolate & Orange Sandwich Cookies
8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
Grated zest of 1 orange

Filling: 
6 tbsp. butter
1 c. powdered sugar
Grated zest of an orange and juce of 1 orange

Preheat your oven to 350.  Melt the chocolate and let cool slightsly.  Whisk in the sugar, eggs, and orange zest.  Stir in the dry ingredients.  Spoon small amounts of dough onto a greased baking sheet.  Bake for 10 to 25 minutes - check for firmness.  Cool.
Beat the filling ingredients together .  Spread on a cookie and sandwich with another cookie. 

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches :)

A simple, perfect, easy treat for all ages for the hot summer weather!  Who doesn't like Ice Cream?  I know I sure do and my waistline unfortunately shows it :(

Bascially make any flavor of cookies you like.  Cool.  Sandwich together with whatever your favorite flavor of ice cream may be - or be free to try variations.  Sugar cookies with Strawberry Ice Cream!  Or Rainbow Sherbet!

Here are the ideas presented in this picture that I found in Redbook Magazine - June 2012 Issue!

Top Sandwich:  Ducle De Leche ice cream between chocolate, chocolate chip cookies!
Second one down:  Strawberry ice cream between chocolate chip cookies
Third one down:  Mint Chip ice cream between chocolate chocolate chip cookes (with mint extract in   the cookies as well!
Bottom Sandwich:  Chunky Monkey ice cream between chocolate chip cookies!

Triple Chocolate Cookies~!

Okay, I seem to do posts more than one at a time - but hey it is how I am productive (I guess!).  Ha!  Here is another yummy cookie recipe - if you love chocolate - this one is for you!

Triple Chocolate Cookies
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. white chocolate chips

Mix together as cookie dough.  Stir in your chips.  Drop onto baking sheets and bake @ 350 for 12-14 minutes.  EAT! 

Pizza Cookie~!

I got to see my niece yesterday :)  And my dad too for Father's Day!  So it was a great day.
Here is a yummy recipe for you to try!  Hope you are having a great summer so far.

Pizza Cookie
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350!  Spray your pizza pan with Pam spray.  Mix the ingredients together to form a sugar cookie dough.  Spread onto the pizza pan.  Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.  Remove from oven.  Cool.

Topping:
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. cream cheese, at room temp.
1 tsp. vanilla
Sprinkles
Candy of your choosing! 

Beat together the butter and cream cheese, add 1 tsp. vanilla.    Stir in the powedered sugar.  Spread over the cooled cookie crust.  Top as desired!  You can use m & m's, mini m & M's, skittles, Chopped up candy bars, etc.  Possibilities are endless! 

3rd Post of the day - Coconut Wedges

I'm on a roll  :)  Hey saying that makes me wish I had a cinnamon roll, warm and gooey from my oven, cannot anyone out there send me one quick?  It sure would make my day!  Instead of cinnamon rolls, however, I have this recipe to share with you.

Coconut Wedges
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. rolled oats
3/4 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. canola oil
3/4 c. pure maple syrup
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Pre heat your oven to 350.  Grease and line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment.
Stir together your dry ingredients, including coconut and pecans.
Beat together the oil and maple syrup.  Add the eggs and vanilla.  Stir in your dry ingredients.  Spread into the pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.  Cut into wedges and cool.