Cowboy Cookies

These cookies are amazing! They may not be the prettiest cookie, but they taste incredible!  If you like a little bit of everything in your cookie, this is the ultimate “throw it all in” recipe! Coconut, nuts, chocolate chips, cereal....  it’s all in there!

1egg
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 cup oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips, or M&M’s, Reese’s pieces, whatever you like!
3/4 cup cornflakes, or substitute your favorite cereal
3/4 cup coconut
1/2 cup nuts, pecans, walnuts, your choice

Cream egg, butter and sugars until well mixed. Stir in remaining ingredients until combined. I’ve used high fiber cereals like grape nuts, and crispy cereals like rice crispies. These taste amazing using Reese’s Pieces!! Scoop them out in 1/4 cup size scoops. You will need to chill for at least two hours before baking. I usually scoop and shape them, then store them in the freezer. That way I can take them out as I want them. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes. Don’t overbake. They are best when they are a little crispy outside, but chewy on the inside. These have become my new favorite cookie!

Skinny Chunky Monkey Cookies

Very similar to the basic no bake cookie, except you do bake it! No boiling, just mix together, let sit and bake!  From "Set Your Fat on Fire Fitness".

3 ripe bananas
2 cups oats
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla

Mash bananas, mix in rest of ingredients and mix well. Then allow mixture to sit for 20 minutes. Then drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Hershey Kiss Cookies

I made these delectable cookies today to celebrate the kid's first snow day of the year! They are scrumptious and melt in your mouth, especially right from the oven when the Hershey kiss is all melty and warm! You have to try them!

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 - 2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
granulated sugar
Hershey kisses

Cream butter, peanut butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt.

Form dough into 1-1/2 inch balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in 375 degree oven 8 minutes. Press one Hershey kiss into center of each warm cookie when removed from oven. Allow to set for a few minutes, if they last that long!

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies.

This is a chewy, delectable, not too sweet, wholesome cookie that you will be feel good about serving!

2/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar (dark brown sugar will add more flavor)
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (5 oz.) package dried cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Gradually add in dry ingredients, mixing well. Stir in cranberries, white chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten cookie slightly with your hand. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

VARIATIONS: Use chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips. Mix in M&M's.

Blackberry Pie Bars

My husband LOVES blackberries! I look forward to making these this summer with fresh blackberries! From the Pink Parsley website. If you prefer raspberries or blueberries you can substitute them in place of the blackberries.

Crust and Topping:

3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1 /2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled

Fruit Filling:

4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup flour
pinch salt
zest of 1/2 lemon rind
1 tsp. almond extract (optional)
2 (16-oz.) packages frozen blackberries, thawed and drained, OR 2 lbs. (6 cups)  fresh blackberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix 3 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar and salt in bowl. Cut in chilled, cubed butter until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of mixture for Topping, press remaining mixture into bottom of greased 9X13 pan. Bake 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool while you make your filling.

Whisk eggs in large bowl, then add sugar, sour cream, 3/4 cup flour, salt, lemon zest and almond extract. Gently stir in the berries. Pour mixture over cooled crust. Sprinkle with Topping.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-55 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 1 hour so bars can finish cooking and set up. If you can't wait that long you can scoop it out and eat it like cobbler, but if you want it to be more firm you will need to allow it to cool. Enjoy!

Awesome Brownies

We made these today and they are fantastic! If you need your chocolate fix, these will hit the spot!

1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Grease 8X8 or 9X9 pan.

Beat together melted butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs. Mix in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until well blended. Stir in nuts.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

Apricot Bars

Yummy Apricot Bars, full of flavor and fiber!

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2/3 cup dried apricots.
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts
powdered sugar

Mix butter, 1/4 cup sugar and flour into crumbly mixture. Press into bottom of greased 8X8 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.

Cover apricots with water, and bring to boil. Boil for approximately 10 minutes. This rehydrates the apricots. Drain, cool and chop.

Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually beat brown sugar into eggs. Add flour mixture. Mix well. Add vanilla, nuts and apricots and stir to mix. Spread mixture over baked crust. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. Cool in pan. Cut into bars. Roll bars in powdered sugar and serve.

Pizza Cookies

You can make this into a giant Pizza sized cookie, or make regular sized pizza cookies! Great for kid's birthdays! Courtesy of my Just A Matter Of Thyme - Among Friendscookbook.

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup flour
dash salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup M&M's

Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. Add flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Mix well. Add oats, coconut, chocolate chips and pecans.

Spread cookie dough minus 1/2 cup of the dough onto a greased 12-inch pizza pan. (the extra dough can be made into another cookie or kept for later). Spread within 1/2 inch of the edge of the pan. Cookie will spread while baking. Sprinkle with M&M's.

Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes. Cool. Cut into wedges and serve. You can use a butter cream frosting to decorate around the edges or write on cookie if desired.

White Chip Island Cookies

I saw this recipe on the back of the Nestle bag yesterday.... Looks really good!

1 2/3 cup flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 STICKS butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 cups Nestle white chocolate chips
1 cup white coconut, toasted if desired
3/4 cup macadamia nuts or walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients in small bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in vanilla and egg. Add flour mixture, mixing well. Stir in coconut and nuts.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8-11 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool for 2 minutes on pan. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Peanut Butter Cup Bars

I adore peanut butter.. It is truly the best invention ever!! Paired with chocolate it is absolute perfection! Here is a no bake treat from the Stylish Cuisine website that is dangerously good!

1/2 cup butter
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Line an 8X8 pan with foil.

Melt butter over low heat. Stir in powdered sugar. Add peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs and mix until creamy. Spread in bottom of prepared pan. Pat down evenly.

In same pot, melt 1/4 cup butter. Add chocolate chips and heat until chips are soft. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Pour over peanut butter layer.

Refrigerate for 1 hour. Cut into bars. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Ree Drummond's Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

A friend and I were just talking about making homemade granola bars the other day! So when I saw this post by Pioneer Woman I was pretty excited! Can't wait to make them! (okay, I've made them, they are awesome!)

1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (10-12 oz.) jar Strawberry preserves (or use peach, apricot or other favorite flavor)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 9X13 pan.

Mix together butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.  Press HALF of mixture into prepared pan. Spread with Strawberry preserves. Sprinkle remaining mixture on tap and pat down.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, until light brown.

Cool completely. Cut into squares.

Betsy's Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies

These are my mother-in-laws FAMOUS chocolate chip bar cookies. They are fantastic! Easy to make and utterly delicious!

1 1/3 STICKS of  butter, melted
2 cups packed DARK brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups self-rising flour
(if you don't have self-rising flour, you can use 2 cups regular flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp baking soda)
2 cups chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients, Mix well. Spread in 9X13 pan.

Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, until done.

No Bake Cookies

Chocolate and peanut butter in any combination is a winner in my book! These are no exception! A fantastic cookie that your family will love.

1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
4 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 tsp. vanilla

In saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter and cocoa. Bring to a full boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, and then boil for 1 1/2 minutes. If you under cook it, the cookies won't set up, but you don't want to overcook it either, or your cookies will be too crumbly and fall apart. Just be mindful of the timing and you should be fine.

Remove from heat. Add peanut butter, oats and vanilla. Mix well.

Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper and allow to cool.

Enjoy!

Ranger Cookies

I had these for the first time two summers ago, served to me by missionaries from Texas! A very unique, delicious cookie! Hard to believe you can cram so much fun into one cookie!

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups quick-rolled oats
2 cups corn flakes (optional)
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
powdered sugar

Cream butter and sugars. Add in eggs, one at a time. Add rest of ingredients except powdered sugar. Mix well.

Form into 1-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar.

Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees 12-15 minutes, until done.

Snickerdoodles

I never met a Snickerdoodle I didn't like! This is a great recipe that will be gone in a flash!

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4  cups flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Beat sugar, butter, shortening and eggs. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.

Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon together. Roll balls in sugar-cinnamon mixture until well coated.

Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes. DO NOT OVERCOOK. These cookies are best when soft and chewy.

Chocolate Crinkles

This is a beautiful cookie that will dress up any occasion, and has the benefit of not only tasting great but being low in fat!

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla
4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled*
4 large eggs
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup powdered sugar

Mix sugar, oil, vanilla and chocolate. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.

Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours. If you are in a hurry you can  put the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Roll into approximately 1-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar.

Place on GREASED cookie sheet, 2 inches apart and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes.

*if you don't have baking chocolate you can substitute cocoa powder and shortening as per the directions on the cocoa container.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are a staple in our home. We keep the dough on hand and bake them up fresh whenever we want some. It's a great cookie!

2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Add dry ingredients, mix well. Add Chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls on cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes.

Sugar Cookies

These cookies are a huge hit with the kids every year. Not only are they delicious, but they are a blast to make and decorate with little ones! I love sugar cookies because you can find a cookie cutter for just about every occasion and make it all the more special with it's very own cookie!

1/2 cup shortening
1stick butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 TBSP. milk

Cream shortening, butter and sugar. Add vanilla and egg. Beat well. Add dry ingredients and milk.

Roll dough out about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. I actually like them on the thicker side. They are more chewy and delicious! Cut with your favorite cookie cutters.

Bake at 400 degrees approximately 10 minutes.

Cool, then ice.

ICING:

1 lb. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 STICK butter
food coloring, if desired

Cream ingredients together. Divide icing into as many bowls as you want colors and add food coloring. My favorite season to make sugar cookies is Christmas... using the tree shaped cookie cutter and green frosting, I then add red and blue "ornaments" with my frosting and a yellow star at the top! You can also make some very cute Easter eggs!