Candy Cane Twists

I've been meaning to type up this recipe since before Christmas, but here we are a month later and I'm just getting to it. I made these for Luke's preschool Christmas party and the kids loved them. They were really fun to make with my little helper, Luke. This recipe came from the Family Fun magazine.

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extrac
1 tsp peppermint extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp red food coloring
1/2 tsp green food coloring

Directions:
Use electric mixer to cream the butter. Gradually add sugar. Beat in egg until mixed and then add vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt until wee blended. Use wooden sppon to stir in flour (1/3 at a time). Divide dough into thirds. Add red food coloring to a third and green to a third and knead into dough. Flatten each third to 1/2 inch thick rectangle, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Heat oven to 375. Roll a pair of tablespoon size pieces (in contrasting colors) on lightly floured surface into 8 inch long ropes. Twist together, pinch ends, and bend into candy cane shape. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet until set, but not brown, about 10 minutes. Cool sheets on wire rach about 5 minutes before transferring cookies to rach to continue cooling.
Jill

Oreo cookies

Ingredients:
2 packages devil's food cake mix
1/4 cup water
4 eggs
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup shortening

Combine ingredients. Bake at 350 on an ungreased cookie sheet 8-9 minutes. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

This recipe is from the Las Vegas Taggarts. I made them today and they are yummy.!

Butterscotch, Oatmeal, M&M Cookies

Really...doesn't the title say it all? The kids helped make these and they are most helpful gobbling them up as well! This lovely recipe came from one of my favs, Picky Palate.

Ingredients
2 sticks butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp butterscotch ice cream topping
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I would use much less next time)
1 cup M&M's

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In kitchenaid mix butter and sugars until well blended. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and butterscotch topping. In large bowl mix flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. Slowly add wet ingredients to the dry along with chocolate chips until well combined. Scoop about 1/4 cup of dough into muffin top pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray. I don't have this nifty pan (but someone should tell my husband that I would love to have one) so I used a cookie sheet and they turned out just fine. I simply flattened them a bit and sprinkled a few M&M's on top of each cookie. Bake for 11-13 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Makes about 24 large cookies.

Jill

Fruit Pizza

I made this last night for my PEO meeting and it was a hit. I used strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges.

Ingredients:
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (I did not use vanilla and still great, but may try it next time)
whatever fruit you choose!

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-inch pizza pan or spray with cooking spray. In pan, break up cookie dough; press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. I used a jelly roll pan.
2. Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
3. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust. Arrange fruit over cream cheese.
4.Add fruit
5. It is that simple and is oh so pretty!

Jill

Peanut Butter Rice Krispies with Pretzels and M &Ms

1 cup sugar
1 cup light karo
1/2 cup peanut butter
5 cups rice krispies
2 cups of pretzel sticks
1 cup m&m's

Microwave the sugar and karo on high for 3 min (stirring each min)
Stir in the peanut butter
Then mix the rest of the ingredients in with this mixture
And then press it into a jelly roll pan!

Erin introduced us to these yummies. Great kid friendly, easy snack. Adults love them too!!!

Marney

Monster Cookies

Monster Cookies

½ cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp brown sugar
3 eggs
18 oz. jar Jif peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp. Light Karo syrup
4 cups quick cook oats
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
6 oz chocolate chips
1 cup M and M’s

Mix above ingredients. I hand mix the oats, chocolate chips and M&Ms. I don’t make big cookies I use my cookie scoop and I get 60 cookies each batch…. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes…. If you like them chewy (we do) I cook them for about 10….let them sit on the sheet for awhile before I take them off……

Marney

Basic Buttercream Frosting

Icing I use on my sugar cookies!! YUMMY!

Ingredients:
3 3/4 cup (1 box) powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup butter or margarine (2/3 stick), softened

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl. Beat with electic mixer or with heavy spoon untl smooth and creamy; scape bowl often. If too stif to spread easily, beat in a few drops of milk.

Chocolate variation - add 1/2 cup cocoa, top with chocolate curls, if desired. I've never tried this so if you do please leave a comment and let me know how it turns out.

Jill

Amish Sugar Cookies

This recipe was given to me from my good friend, Emily. These cookies never disappoint!! I make them for every holiday and Lucas loves to help. We have so much fun decorating for the season. I use the basic buttercream icing recipe for the top. Recipe fom C&H.

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter or margarine (2 sticks), softened
1 cup oil, cooking
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

Instructions:
Cream sugars, butter, and oil. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Stir into sugar mixture until thoroughly blended. Dough will be very soft. Refrigerate dough until chilled. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop by small balls onto greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Jill