Nutella Cookies

Yum yum! I love Nutella! In the beginning of my pregnancy the only thing I could eat for breakfast was a bagel with Nutella and crunchy peanut butter.  


Now that I have enough energy to bake again (yay!) I wanted to start with a comfort food and Nutella won out. I wanted a new recipe and found this one on www.allrecipes.com. 


I also have to point out that my hubby, Andy, enjoyed these cookies but requested powdered sugar on top! 

Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Nutella

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

3. Add the egg, vanilla, and Nutella and mix by hand until well blended. 

4. Form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a baking sheet 2 inches apart.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until crispy on the outside, 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to rest on cookie sheet a few minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool.

Andes Candy Cookies

I was given this recipe at a cookie exchange a few years ago and it has been on my list of items to make but I can never find mint M & M's so I substituted with Andes Candies. I happened to have a whole bag full (thanks Jen and Amanda)!

I also must clarify that this is my second post of the day and a possible 3rd is on the way due to being in a Blizzard Warning. So please take that into account when you start judging me for not having a social life on a Saturday night!

Andes Candy Cookies


Ingredients


3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 sticks of butter
1 teaspoon vanilla (or peppermint extract)
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (I never add salt when baking)
crushed Andes Candies (eyeball it)

Directions


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend together the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla. Once those are blended together mix and add slowly the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add crushed candy, stir, drop on a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

White Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Cookies

These are by far my favorite cookies of all time! As soon as cranberry season begins I can't wait to make these cookies. The recipe asks for dried cranberries but like I have stated in earlier posts, I love cranberry, so I refuse to use the dried and go for the fresh. You could also substitute vanilla for the brandy but come on who doesn't like a little alcohol?!

White Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Cookies


Ingredients


1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon brandy
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease cookie sheets.

2. Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Take them out while they are still doughy. Allow to cool for 1 minute on the cookies sheets before transferring.

Pillow Cookies

I have a habit to browse other baking and cooking blogs for unique recipes. I came across the recipe for Pillow Cookies on www.bakerella.com. I was intrigued by the name, maybe because I haven't been getting much sleep lately, but probably because it combines 2 of my favorite baked goods......brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Yes, brownies AND chocolate chip cookies! I know it sounds impossible but I have proof that it's possible.

Pillow Cookies


Ingredients
1 box of brownie mix (feel free to make your own brownies if you are ambitious)
Recipe to your favorite chocolate chip cookies--I always use the one from the back of the bag of chocolate chips

Directions
Bake the brownies according to the box and let cool. Once cool, cut into 1 inch by 1 inch squares.

Meanwhile, mix up the ingredients to your chocolate chip cookie recipe. Once dough is made, take 1/2 cup scoops of dough and flatten. Take a brownie and place it in the middle of the chocolate chip cookie dough. Form the dough around the brownie to close the brownie in. Shape the cookies as close to a ball shape as possible.

Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. The time will depend on how big each cookie is. Keep a close eye out!

Let them bake, cool, and enjoy!