Monday, May 9, 2011

Can-Do Cookies

My family has been making these as long as I can remember. I like this bar cookie because it is super easy and soft. -Marian Adamson

2 eggs
1/3 c shortening
2 teas. vanilla
1 c margarine
1 1/2 c sugar
2 teas. baking powder
1/2 teas. salt
3 1/2 c flour
12 oz chocolate chips (or any time of chip or chocolate you have around)

Cream together the eggs, shortening, vanilla, margarine, and sugar. Mix in the baking powder and salt. Add the flour. Stir in the chocolate chips. Press into a pan and bake at 350 degrees. It takes about 15-20 minutes for a shallow baking pan and about 25-35 minutes for a 9x13. Cookies should be firm, but not very brown or they will be dry.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Midnight Bonbons

This arouse from a desire to make something chocolatey that didn't require grains or baking during that (sometimes rare!) quiet time of night when only Mom and Dad were awake. It also had to be quick and easy, as who wants to wait and then have tons of dishes to clean up in the middle of the night? Sorry, there are really no measurements, so you can all hate me for that. ;) We made it a second time, to let Hannah join in on the fun, and it worked then too, so hopefully it'll work for all of you!

Pull out a small saucepan and pour in some chocolate chips (oh, about 1/2c) and some creamy peanut butter (oh, about 1/4-1/3c). Melt together on med-low, stirring frequently. While you're waiting for the chocolate and pb to melt, pour a bit of powdered sugar into a bowl. (You can also try chocolate sprinkles or toasted honey wheat germ, which I really liked....it was a random clearance find.) Once the choc-pb mix is blended, stir in a small amount of cold milk (oh, maybe 1-2 TBSPs). This should actually make the mix thicken up* to about the consistency of playdough. Let it cool briefly, if needed. Then take small bits and roll into balls and then roll in the coating of choice. (I found the powdered sugar needed to be coated again after sitting for a moment.) Arrange nicely on a plate, get comfy on the couch, and enjoy!

*If it doesn't thicken, chill in the fridge. Pull out half the mix and continue following the directions, and then pop them back into the fridge when done and pull out the other half to work with. Serve chilled.