Pumpkin Cookies

It takes three ingredients to make these blissful treats.  They are super soft and delicious.

Pumpkin Cookies

1 spice cake mix

1 small can pumpkin (not pie filling)

mini chocolate chips

Mix ingredients together--keep mixing until it's all blended.  It takes a little work.  Place large spoonfuls of dough on greased baking tray and bake at 350 for 12-13 minutes.  Makes approximately 24 large cookies.

Energy Bites

If you are on Pinterest, chances are you've seen these.  If not, I'm sharing them with you now!  These little guys are my new favorite snack.  My kids LOVE them, I LOVE them and they are so very good for you.  Give them a try--they taste a bit like the no-bake cookies!  You can find all ingredients at Winco in the bulk area or you can find them at a health foods store.

Energy Bites

1 cup dry oatmeal

2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes 

(I toasted my own in a pan on the stovetop)

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

1/4 cup whole wheat bran

1/3 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir together.  Form into 1 1/2 inch balls.  Keep in an airtight container.  

This recipe is just a starter--you change it up and add all types of things you love like craisins, raisins, mini chocolate chips, etc.  You could even substitute almond butter for the peanut butter.  ENJOY!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

The name pretty much says it all! Lightly crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside.

Oatmeal Choco Chip Cookies
2 sticks butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups quick oats
1 cup chocolate chips

Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Beat into egg mixture and mix well. Stir in the oats and chips.

Drop spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes until golden. Cool for 2 minutes before moving to wire rack.

Makes 2 dozen large cookies, or 3 dozen avg size cookies.

Soft, buttery sugar cookies

SuGaR cOoKiEs!

It's no secret I have a sweet tooth. I love a good cookie--but only a really good one. I won't waste time or calories on a cookie unless it's perfect. The perfect cookie is just slightly crisp on the outside, then soft and chewy on the inside. Crunchy, dry cookies should be banned.

I never really liked sugar cookies until my mom made this recipe one day. It honestly is the best recipe I've tried. I LOVE these. They even stay soft for days in a container.

Kids were out of school on Monday, so rather than me being super productive and getting all kinds of laundry, editing, cleaning, and errands done--we made cookies instead.



















Ben & Em love helping in the kitchen. Years ago my friend, Ana, made these cute aprons for them. And now they've almost out grown them. Ah hem, hint, hint, Ana!!

After we had eaten half the cookie dough, we started rolling, cutting, etc. The trick to good sugar cookies is to roll thick, and underbake just a little. This pic is before I put them in the oven.




































































I eat the cookies naked. I'm not a fan of frosting unless it's cool whip, but I did find a recipe that even I like to eat (pictured above).

Mom's Best Sugar Cookies
1 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream (I use light)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups flour

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg. Add vanilla and sour cream and mix until well blended. Add rest of ingredients until just mixed together. Refrigerate for an hour--or until you're ready to use. Roll out and cut. Bake at 375 for 8 - 10 minutes.

Fluffy Buttercream Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg white
1/2 Tbsp water
3 Tbsp softened butter

Combine into a bowl. Beat at low speed to mix, then high speed until smooth and fluffy--about 5 to 8 minutes.