Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Pudding Cookies

I needed a treat for a party and these cookies looked so good and Christmas-y.  They were great and I'll be making them again for sure!

Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Pudding Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup sugar
1 small package (3.9 oz) chocolate pudding mix
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks (semi-sweet chocolate chips will also work)

DIRECTIONS:
Cream together butter and sugars.
Beat in dry instant pudding mix.
Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well incorporated.
Add baking soda and flour and beat until well incorporated.
Stir in Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips and semi-sweet chocolate chunks.
Roll into 1″ balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.

Recipe from: Chef in Training

Chocolate Nutella Cookies

These little gems are so delicious.  I had to give half of them away so I wouldn't eat them all by myself.  These will definitely be made again and again!

Chocolate Nutella Cookies
Recipe from Our Best Bites
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, lightly spooned into measuring cups and leveled with a knife
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
2/3 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder (next time I'm going to add a little less cocoa)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon hazelnut extract (you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon vanilla if you can’t find or don’t like hazelnut extract)
1/3 cup Nutella
1/3 cup milk

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Set the mixture aside. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until smooth. Add the extracts and beat for another 30 seconds or so. Add the Nutella and beat until smooth.
With the mixer running, add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined. Add the milk, mixing until combined completely, then add the remaining flour mixture and mix completely. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 15 minutes (and as long as 2-3 days).
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls and place them on the lined cookie sheet, allowing about 2″ between the dough balls.
Lightly press the dough balls with the bottom of a drinking glass and then bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are crackly on top and soft, but starting to set. Remove from the oven and allow them to stand for about 5 minutes and then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars

Delicious! Recipe from Chef in Training

LOFTHOUSE SUGAR COOKIE BARS

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Spray jelly roll pan (15x10x1) with cooking spray.
3. In your mixer cream butter, cream cheese and sugar together. Add in egg and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
4. With mixer on low, add in your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and baking soda.
5. Mix until just combined.
6. Press dough evenly into your prepared pan. (dough will be sticky)
7. Bake for 20 minutes until edges begin to golden.
8. Cool completely before frosting.

Enjoy!

FROSTING

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 16 oz. powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla

Adjust milk and powdered sugar to get to desired consistency.  Add food coloring for color and top with sprinkles.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Shocker, I'm actually posting a recipe! These were SO good that I cannot forget about them. They are just like homemade Oreo's, but made with a Red Velvet cake mix. I may never go back to the "old" Oreo's again!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

1 Red Velvet cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil

Cream Cheese frosting (I usually use store bought, because I'm lazy and you can't tell in this recipe)

Mix ingredients well until a soft dough forms. Roll into balls and bake on a cookie sheet for 8-9 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before transferring to a baking sheet. After they've cooled, frost the bottom with cream cheese frosting and top with another cookie. Delish!

Oreo Pudding Cookies

I've made these cookies a few times now and they're always a hit!

Oreo Pudding Cookies

Sweet Treats and More

1 cup butter, room temp

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 (4oz) package instant Oreo Pudding mix

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 Hershey's Cookies N Cream Candy Bars broken into small pieces

2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour and soda in a small bowl and set aside. Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in pudding mix until blended, then eggs and vanilla. Add flour and soda mixture. Stir in cookies n cream pieces and chocolate chips. Using a cookie dough scooper, place dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooking rack. Store in air-tight container. Makes two dozen.

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

I found the most amazing chocolate chip cookie recipe. I had already posted my "favorite" recipe, but I actually deleted it because I will never try another chocolate chip cookie recipe again! The recipe calls for a box of instant vanilla pudding mix and I think that's the key ingredient. These cookies are so thick and fluffy and still taste delicious when they're a couple days old.

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 small box instant vanilla pudding (just the dry mix)
2 cups chocolate chips (I love the Guittard jumbo milk chocolate chips)

Cream butter and sugars together in a mixer. Add each egg, one at a time. Beat until creamy. Add the vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients together before slowly adding them to the creamed mixture. When combined, add the chocolate chips. Mix and drop by rounded teaspoon (I use my Pampered Chef medium scoop) onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Don't overcook! Place on wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

Andes Mint Cookies

I love these cookies! They are quick and easy and taste wonderful! The cookie is the same base as homemade Oreo cookies.

Andes Mint Cookies

1 Devil's Food cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
12 Andes Mints- cut in half

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix, eggs and oil until well blended. Roll dough into walnut sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Do not overbake. When the cookies are done, pull them out of the oven and slightly press half of an Andes Mint on top of each cookie. Let it sit for a minute or two and take the bake of a spoon to gently swirl them melted mint. Let cookies set for about an hour for the mint to dry. Or you can put them in the fridge to speed up the process.

M&M Sugar Cookies

These cookies are so delicious! One of my favorite cookies and the kids LOVE them!

M&M Sugar Cookies

1 C butter, softened

1 1/2 C sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 t vanilla

3 C flour

2 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

2 t cream of tartar

dash of salt

1 medium bag (12 oz) M&M's

1. In a stand mixer, or with hand held beaters cream the butter and sugar for about 3 minutes, or until fluffy.

2. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix for 2 more minutes.

3. In a separate small mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients. Add to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.

4. Pour in your M&M's and mix just until combined. Don't mix too long or you will crush your M&M's!

5. Form into round balls (about 2 inches in size) and lay onto a cookie sheet. I like to smash the dough down just a little bit with the palm of my hand.

6. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or until you see the cookies start to crack. Take them out of the oven and let them finish cooking on the hot sheet for about 5 minutes.

7. Remove from the cookie sheet onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I LOVE this time of year! It makes me crave all things pumpkin! I wanted some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies last night and I usually make the ones with the cake mix, but instead I tried this recipe. They are delicious! I don't like my pumpkin cookies too "spicy" and these were perfect! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 bag chocolate chips or you could use cinnamon chips

Cream shortening and sugar. Mix in egg and pumpkin. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Drop onto greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 9-10 minutes.

Oatmeal-Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1-2 cups chocolate chips or M&M's

Cream butter, peanut butter and sugars together; beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients and chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes.

Fudge Krinkle Cookies

I tried this cookie recipe, because they looked so good and were really easy. My kind of recipe! They turned out great!

1 Devil's Food cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix with oil and eggs. Beat well. Roll into balls and roll in powdered sugar. Bake on greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes.

Oreo Cookies

I thought I already had this up! I made these to give away for a Valentine's Day treat! I colored the frosting pink. These cookies and Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies are my hubby's favorites!

Oreo Cookies

1 Devil's Food cake mix
2 eggs
3/4 cup shortening or 1/3 cup oil

Mix together well and roll into small balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Let sit on sheet for a few minutes and then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely. When completely cool, frost bottom of cookie and add another bottom.

Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cube of margarine (softened)
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

***The frosting recipe makes A LOT of frosting. I would double the cookie recipe or half the frosting recipe. Sometimes when I'm lazy, I use canned cream cheese frosting and no one notices the difference.

Big Brownie Cookies

During the winter, I have to literally force myself not to bake a treat everyday! Something about it being cold outside and spending time baking in my kitchen is my favorite! I tried this new recipe yesterday and they are my new favorite cookie! I can't quit eating them and they were a cinch to make!

1 family size (9x13 not 8x8 in) brownie mix
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup oil
3 tablespoons water
2 eggs
**Optional: Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or nuts. (I added peanut butter chips and they were SOOOO good!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix all ingredients together, but do not over mix. Drop by rounded tablespoons (I use my Pampered Chef scoop) onto baking sheet. Leave at least 2 inches apart because they spread. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until they don't look "wet" in the middle. Allow to cool for 3 minutes before removing from cookie sheet. Enjoy with a big glass of cold milk!

White Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps

I have been in a baking frenzy lately! I love this time of year! I got this cookie recipe from this blog and they are so delicious and pretty too! You must try them!

1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 1/4 cups flour
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
Sugar
3 cups white chocolate chips (I used one bag and it dipped most of them)
3 Tbsp oil or shortening (use less if you only use one bag)

Beat oil, sugar, eggs, and molasses. Stir in dry ingredients. Roll dough into small balls and roll in sugar. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheets at 350 for about 7 minutes. Cool completely.

Combine chips and oil in a small glass bowl. Microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Dip cookies half way into the white chocolate and lay on waxed paper till set.

Notes:
-The 2 tablespoons of ginger is not a mistake. It's what makes them really good. The spiciness is a perfect balance for the white chocolate, trust me!

-When you get to the last of the cookies, it will be hard to dip them. You can just spread the chocolate over the top of them, kind of like frosting.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is an old recipe that is so easy and delicious! I also like to double it and make muffins!

1 Spice Cake Mix (just the dry mix)
1 15oz. can of pumpkin
1 bag chocolate chips

Mix together and drop on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, depending on how big you made them.

Special K Cookies

These cookies are SO darn good! I usually make them at Christmas and put them on a plate with different goodies. When I make them I literally can not stop eating them!

2 cubes BUTTER, not margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups mini marshmallows
Stir together until melted. Boil 2 minutes, no more! Then add:
3/4 cup chopped pecans
4 cups Special K cereal
Mix well and drop by teaspoon onto wax paper. Let cool and eat up!

***Recipe from Grandma S.

Toll House Cookie Bar

Whenever I feel like chocolate chip cookies, but I don't have the time to make cookies, I make these:

1 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. hot water
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and add:

2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup coconut
1 cup nuts
1/2 - 1 package chocolate chips

Mix well. Spray 9x13 pan and bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Island Cookies

This is one of my favorite cookie recipes...

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 pkg (11.5-oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Milk Chocolate Morsels
1 cup flaked coconut, toasted if desired
1 cup chopped walnuts (I used pecans)

1. PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
2. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels, coconut and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. BAKE for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
4. NOTE: NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels, Semi-Sweet Chocolate-Covered Raisins, Premier White Morsels or Butterscotch Flavored Morsels may be substituted for the Milk Chocolate Morsels.

***Recipe from Nestle's Toll House Cookie Cookbook

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

I don't even like this kind of cookie, unless it's this recipe...they are so moist and better the next day.

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

3/4 cup peanut butter

2 cups Bisquick

1 teaspoon vanilla

Hershey Kisses

Roll in balls and then in sugar. Bake for 7 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove and press down kiss in center and return to over for 1 minute.

"Washing Machine Cookies" (A family favorite!)

My grandpa used to fix washing machines when my dad was a kid. Once he was fixing a lady's washing machine and she gave him one of these cookies. He loved it and asked for the recipe. They've been called "Washing Machine Cookies" ever since.



Boil together for one minute:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup milk

Remove from heat and add:
5 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup nuts
1 cup coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups oatmeal

Mix well and drop into balls on wax paper. Allow to cool. We like them best cold with a big glass of milk!