Cookie exchange day 4- cookies in a jar (great gift idea)

Great gifts. Share your love of baking with others. I love this idea. Make a basket (for the basket use an air tight container so they can store the cookies after they bake) with the cookie in a jar, wooden spoon, cookie sheet and recipe card!

Prep Time:25 Min
Ready In:25 Min

Original Recipe Yield 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients
1 1/3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer.
Include a card with the following instructions: Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Transfer from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Cookie exchange day 2- PB cups

Another bit size cookie that I love. peanut butter and chocolate are made for each other!!

Recipe Yield 40 cookies

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well.
Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

PB Snap Crackle 'n Pop brownies

Peanut Buttery Snap Crackle ‘n Pop Brownies

1 box brownie mix, prepared in a foil-lined baking dish

1 cup sugar1 cup light corn syrup

1 1/3 cups peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups Rice Krispies
Prepare brownies in a foil-lined baking dish. Heat sugar and corn syrup in a heavy bottomed saucepan over high heat until mixture reaches a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over rice krispies and stir to combine. Immediately press the peanut butter and rice krispies mixture over the brownies

Oreo Pie

Oreo pie-

Ingredients:
1 pkg Oreo's (I used off brand, reduced fat)
1/4 cup melted butter
8 oz cream cheese (I used off brand, 1/3 less fat)
1 pkg instant chocolate pudding
1 tub of cool whip (I used off brand, low-fat)
1/4 cup powder sugar

Directions:

Crush Oreo's ( I used my small food processor). Set aside 1/2 cup for the topping of the pie. Melt butter and add to the remaining Oreo's. Mix and pour into 9 inch pie plate. Pat down Oreo's to form a crust. Beat cream cheese for 2 minutes on high speed. Add powder sugar & 1/4 of the tub of cool whip. Start mixer on a low speed, then beat on med-high for 1-2 minutes. Pour the mixture onto the crust. Make pudding according to directions (I always use 1/4 cup less of milk. It helps make the pudding stiffer). once the pudding has set up pour over cream mix. Take the remaining cool-whip and spread on top and sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of oreo's.
I didn't have a recipe to work with so I made my own. I bought it into work for a going away party for the intern. It was a big success!!

**I made a mini pie for the HB so he could enjoy as well***

Chocolate fudge cupcakes

"Rich chocolate cupcakes with a fudge-like consistency"

recipe from Allrecipes.com

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ready In: 60 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

2 (1oz) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
3/4 cup and 2 tablespoons white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans (I didn't use my HB doesn't like nuts)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. In the top of a double boiler, combine chocolate and butter.

Heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture is melted ans smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
Sift flour and sugar together into a large bowl.

With mix on low speed, beat in eggs one at a time.

Stir in chocolate mixture, vanilla and pecans.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. DO NOT over bake.

Tops should be shiny but give slightly when touched.

This is the Best chocolate cupcake I have ever had. It is different from your everyday cupcake. Most cupcakes are fluffy this cupcake is a little crispy on the outside but gooey on the inside. I also discovered a great butter cream recipe that I will share that is wonderful. It's light and fluffy and doesn't leave a greasy feeling in your mouth!

No pudge!! Fudge Brownies

I couldn't believe my eyes... I have been trying all kinds of new things and thought why not??? I wasn't sure how they would be or if I could pass them off as a good brownie. But here goes:

Combine brownie mix and 2/3 cup of vanilla non-fat yogurt together. If you don't have vanilla yogurt use plain with a tsp of vanilla. Mix will be thick.

Grease 8x8 pan (I didn't have an 8x8 so I used a smaller rectangular pan). Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes.

Over course I didn't take a picture of them baked. They were nice and chewy in the center and crispy on the edges (which I love). I had my friend try them that is a chocolate lover he loved them. When I told him they are good for you he was shocked.

I purchased the fudge and a mint flavor I have tried the fudge and I would make it again. I found these at the Christmas Tree Shop I looked at the web site and I don't show any local store's that carry it all the time in my area but you can order them online.