Sunday, December 11, 2011

Chocolate Crinkles... nom.

Today's recipe has no big story... no funny anecdote, just simply a recipe...
Because nothing is better than chocolate, and these sweet little darlins are not only beautiful, but yumtastic... here ya go!



Ingredients
  • 4 oz of melted dark chocolate
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Directions
  1. In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into one inch balls. I like to use a number 50 size scoop. Coat each ball in confectioners' sugar before placing onto prepared cookie sheets.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to wire racks to cool.               


Momma Tips:
1. add white chocolate to replace the dark and mix a bit of cocoa powder into your powder sugar {a reverse crinkle!}
2. add a little surprize flavor... peppermint, raspberry... you name it! YUM!


Be Good to Each Other!


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

What Works for me Wednesday


I know this is not a new concept... but I cant tell you how many times this little trick my grandma taught me has helped sooth my sweet tooth!

So, for today's What Works for me Wednesday tip:

Pre scoop and freeze your favorite cookie dough!



When making a batch of cookies... drop cookies, cut outs you name it, I ALWAYS double the recipe... #1 because I have 2 teenage boys that will easily eat a batch of cookies all on their own, {baked or not}
and B... because you never know when the munchies will hit and you want cookies at 2am   AHEM...

So I just drop them/or cut them out pop them on a cookie sheet and freeze... annnnd...
SHAZAM! 
You have cookies at your beckon call!

I store them in Ziploc Freezer Bags with the baking info written on the front...



Be Good to Each Other!



Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Oh SNAP!


Ginger Snap that is!

I found this recipe a couple of years ago after a friend of mine brought over the most amazing pumpkin dip { which we will discuss later} and a batch of ginger snaps...

These are a favorite every year... I hope you enjoy!





Ingredients
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/3 cup white sugar for decoration
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil, molasses, and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; stir into the molasses mixture. Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Roll each ball in white sugar before placing 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
  3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven, or until center is firm. Cool on wire racks.

And dont forget... CookiePalooza is going on for 2 weeks! So run and tell your friends... if you win cookies maybe you can share! :) Or not.... its up to you!

And Grab this...




Oh... and if you are in the OKC area this Saturday, and looking to get your Christmas Shopping all finished up, you need to do THIS and come visit some amazing artists and crafters! And maybe I will give you treats! Or at least pretty little things that look like sweet treats!









right click and save for your printable recipe card!

Be Good to Each Other!



Sunday, December 4, 2011

#1 Marshmallow Kisses...

So one of my favorite cookies ever is simply shortbread. Flour, Butter, Sugar... VOLIA! Whats not to love about that! I cover sweet bits of short bread in caramel, chocolate, jam... crumble it on ice cream, dunk it in my coffee... you name it!

Then add some marshmallow fluffy type stuff AND chocolate... & wowza! Its good Ya'll.






Shortbread:

1 1/4 C flour
3 Tablespoons
Pinch of Salt
1/2 Unsalted Butter


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Work in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the dough has the consistency of pie crust. Sprinkle a board or your counter top lightly with flour. Turn the dough onto the board and knead until it's smooth. Press till aprox. 1/4 inch thick and cut into rounds. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Prick with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cookies begin to brown slightly. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet.

Marshmallow:

3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 Cup cold water
2 C granulated Sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dissolve gelatin in water in stand mixer for 10 minutes. In heavy bottomed sauce pan combine sugar & corn syrup, bring to a rapid boil for 1 minute. slowly pour into mixer bowl. Whip together till fluffly (about 10 minutes) then add salt and vanilla mix for another 6 minutes.

**Using a pastry bag fitted with tip (and sprayed with pan spray Apply warm marshmallow to the top of shortbread cookie. Chill in fridge for 15 minutes or till marshmallow is cool and firm. Melt 16 oz chocolate in double boiler. dip marshmallow covered cookies into chocolate and allow to set.


Just right click to save image for printable recipe card!


Dont forget to join me for all kinds of cookie fun! Get the Cookie Palooza details HERE



Be Good to Each Other!


12 days of Cookies... plus a giveaway!

Join me in celebrating my 2nd Annual CookiePalooza!

Its time again for the 12 Days of Cookies recipe swap & giveaway!

One of my favorite holiday traditions is our family's Christmas Eve Cookie swap... each year on Dec 24th the {extended} family gathers at our home for the big Christmas Cookie Swap and Stocking exchange... its a fantastic way to see everyone for the holidays and leaves Christmas Day for just us to lay around and play with all of our new toys! {A win; win situation in my opinion ;) }

Its such an awesome time, I thought I would share it with all of you! 

This year I will be offering 12 cookie recipes, with printable cards here on the blog... so make sure you are checking back everyday for each new treat!

And to add just a bit of Christmas Cheer... On Dec. 18th I will giveaway a printed version of the whole collection of recipes {plus a few more}  PLUS a lovely box of each cookie baked up just for you!



Here is how it works!

#1 grab a button... and put it in your side bar





#2 Follow Lollipops Sugar Shoppe on Facebook & Twitter {cuz there will be even more fun stuff posted through out the "palooza" and mini giveaways as well!}
#3 Tell your friends! Tis the season for sharing!
#4 Leave a comment... and let me know about your all time favorite Christmas Sweets!
      {each Cookie Palooza post comment you leave will enter you in the big giveaway on Dec 18th!}

Easy Peasy!

Now adjust your waist bands and lets get to baking!

Happy Holidays Friends!

Be Good to Each Other!