Valentine Oreo Cookies

 

2 boxes strawberry flavored cake mix

1 cup vegetable oil (or 1 1/2 cups shortening)

4 eggs

Combine ingredients in mixing bowl til well blended. Form dough into a 1-1 1/2" balls. To shape into a heart I took a butter knife and sliced into one side of the ball just a little bit to make the top of the heart. I then took the dough that is on each side of the knife and pulled away from the knife, creating space between the slit I made with the knife. I then squeezed the dough together on the opposite end from the slit, creating the bottom point of the heart. I did have to flatten the top (face) of the heart just a bit too. Be creative and make a heart how you can.

Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min. Til the top starts to crack and lose it's gloss.

Let the cookie cool then make a sandwich with the filling...

Filling:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 TB vanilla

2 3/4 cups powdered sugar

*I found this recipe on pinterest. I was worried the strawberry cookie was going to be too sweet, but the husband gave them 2 thumbs! Definitely a fun new Valentine treat we will be doing again!

Cake Mix Cookies III

Such a Quick, Easy way to make cookies!!

All 3 cookies below are made from cake mixes.

Lemon Raspberry 

 Chocolate Fudge with White Chocolate

 Cherry Chip

1 cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Mix all ingredients together. If it seems a little too moist add some flour, about 1/4 cup at a time til it will hold a ball form.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

So many different combinations can be made with the cake mixes. With the Lemon Cake mix I added some raspberry bits from Alison's Pantry. They were sooo good. You could also roll the Lemon ones in sugar before you baked them. For the Chocolate Fudge I added white chocolate chips. You could also add toffee bits or the raspberry bits. The Cherry Chip is just that...Cherry Chip cake mix. I had intended to frost them with cherry frosting, but ran out of time. Be creative! SO MANY POSSIBILITIES!!!

Count Down....

In 10 days my kids head back to school. I'm sure many of you are gearing back up for the school year too. Well, I am on the count down! I can't wait to make cookies for my girls again! EVERY MONDAY!!

It's been 3 years ago that I started Cookie Monday. We were in a new place (Carson City). My girls were starting in a new school and were not very excited about it. I wanted to do something for them. And that's when Cookie Monday came about. They got to where they would walk in the door every Monday, take a big breath/smell and try to guess the kind of cookie that was baking.

Now we are back in our home (Utah).... And we are keeping it going!! Welcome back Cookie Monday!

Last year we started a Back to School Cookie Celebration. After the first day of school we invited friends over for cookies and milk.  WE ARE DOING IT AGAIN!!  Everyone is invited!

August 23rd

Right after school...

2nd Annual Back to School COOKIE PARTY!

Come have Cookies and Milk

At the Rowley's House!

If you need directions, please leave me a comment with your e-mail and I will get you directions!

Here is one of the cookies I will be making for that day:

1 2/3 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. soda
1 1/4 tsp. salt
3 cups chocolate chips
optional: nuts

Cream together shortening and sugars.  Add egg and vanilla.  Mix in dry ingredients, then the chocolate chips.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

*This recipe came from my mom.  All three chocolate chip recipes that I have posted have the same ingredients, just different amounts.  It does make a difference in the taste of the cookie too.  When I made these I used my "BIG" cookie scoop.  The outsides had a nice warm crunch and the inside was soft and melty.  These didn't last long at our house!

Pumpkin Creme Pie Cookies

For Creme Pies:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can pumpkin (15 Oz.)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups four
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves

For filling:
1 package cream cheese, softened (8 Oz.)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powder sugar
3 drops vanilla
2 dashes cinnamon



Beat together brown sugar, sugar, oil and pumpkin.

Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla.

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using a pastry bag with a round tip, or a big zip top plastic bag with one corner snipped, squeeze out circles of batter, starting from the middle and working outward until the circles are about 2-inches in diameter.

You can do larger than 2-inches or smaller as well.

Bake in a 350 degree fahrenheit oven for 11 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack.

------

While the cookies are cooling, make your filling.

 Beat together cream cheese and butter.

Add in powder sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.

Mix til smooth.

Frost flat side of one of the pies.

Top with another cookie.

**These are sooo SCRUMPTIOUS! I Love Cream Cheese and Pumpkin!

**I found this recipe on Pinterest which took me to Claudia's Cookbook Blog! Thanks Claudia for sharing this fabulous recipe!

Salted Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup caramel bits

1/2 cup crushed pretzels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chips, caramel bits and crushed pretzels. Drop dough on a prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle with Salt. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes then remove from sheet to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

**This recipe came from a friend. She had made these cookies one day and let me sample them while I was at her house. They had a yummy, chewy, soft, crunchy texture all in one with a sweet and salty flavor mixed with the chocolate and caramel. I told her how much I liked her cookie and not many days later she brought me over a FULL plate of these cookies! Yes, I did share some of them! My friend was willing to share the recipe with me, so I am sharing it with you! Try them and let me know what you think! Thanks Alison for the YUMMY COOKIES!

Halloween Sugar Cookies



Sugar Cookie
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 c butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups to 5 cups flour (for soft dough)
nutmeg (if desired)

Cream together sugar, sourcream, butter, and eggs. Add soda, baking powder, vanilla and flour. Add nutmeg if desired. Roll on slightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until slightly browned.

Cookie Recipe came from a CD of recipes Jim got for me a long time ago. The Sour Cream helps keep the cookies soft for several days.

Powder Sugar Frosting
4 cups powder sugar
1/2 cup shortening or butter
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring

In a large bowl, cream together the powder sugar and shortening (or butter) until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.

The frosting recipe came from Allrecipes.com. I put the alternate use of butter because that's what I use when I make it. If frosting is too thin add more powder sugar. If too thick add more milk a few drops at a time.

Cowboy Cookies

2 cup sifted flour

1 tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup shprtening

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups rolled oats (quick)

1 pkg. chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts

Sift together and set aside flour, soda, salt and baking powder.  Cream together shortening, sugars and eggs..  Add vanilla, rolled oats, chocolate chips and nuts.  Dough will be crumbly.  Drop by teaspoon on cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Ok, so if you want a yummy cookie dough to eat, this is the one.  This recipe came from the Koosharem Relief Society Cookbook.  Another one of my favorites!

Sugar Cookie Bars

1 cup butter at room temperature (2 cubes)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Cream butter and sugar really well. Then add vanilla and eggs one at a time mixing well. Then add flour, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Spread in a 13X17 inch pan. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes. After they are cool spread with your favorite frosting, cut and Enjoy!!!

This recipe was sent to me from one of my Best Friends from High School.  I used some Betty Crocker Cream Cheese Frosting then topped with some sprinkles.  OHHH YUMMM!  Good thing I only made a half cookie sheet size.  I ate most of them!  Thanks Ann, for sharing this yummy and easy recipe!

Cake Mix Cookies II

1 box any flavor cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Add anything you want: nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, etc.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

*I used a German Chocolate Cake mix.  I had some Betty Crocker Cream Cheese Frosting in the fridge so I frosted them too.

*This recipe is great when you are in a hurry.  The Cookies turned out perfect.  The kids ate them as fast as they came out of the oven.

Chocolate Chip Cookies III

1 2/3 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. soda
1 1/4 tsp. salt
3 cups chocolate chips
optional: nuts

Cream together shortening and sugars.  Add egg and vanilla.  Mix in dry ingredients, then the chocolate chips.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

*This recipe came from my mom.  All three chocolate chip recipes that I have posted have the same ingredients, just different amounts.  It does make a difference in the taste of the cookie too.  When I made these I used my "BIG" cookie scoop.  The outsides had a nice warm crunch and the inside was soft and melty.  These didn't last long at our house!

Colored Cookies

Last year I made THESE for St. Patrick's Day.  The kids didn't care for the lime flavor...which I really like...So I went with the following for our Cookie Monday Cookie....

FOR ST. PATRICKS DAY!

1 1/4 cup margarine
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4-5 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp baking soda

Optional: food coloring and flavoring

Cream together the margarine and sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Then add dry ingredients.  Add food coloring a few drops at a time til you get the color you want.  Add a tsp of flavoring if desired (mint/almond/orange).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 minutes.

**This recipe came from my Mom.  Without flavoring, the cookies do have a yummy butter flavor.  Mix and match food coloring with coordinating flavors.

Valentine Cookies II

Picture taken from Betty Crocker

This idea came from Betty Crocker.  Gotta Love Betty!

I used my Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe.

Roll dough into 1" balls then roll the balls in sugar.  Place on baking sheet.  Press heart shaped chocolate onto top of cookie.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  I used Hershey Heart Chocolates on half and Reese's Peanut Butter Heart Shaped Cups on the other half.  MMMMM!  Peanut Butter and Chocolate!  Perfect combination!

Cookie Monday Recipe

QUICK TIP!

When making your frosting for Valentine Cookies, use some juice off of marachino cherries.  It gives your frosting a yummy cherry flavor and colors it a soft pink.  This tip came from my Mom!  That's the only way I do it!

You can't have Valentines without Heart Shaped Frosted Sugar Cookies!

Here's the Recipe for the Sugar Cookie Recipe I like best!

SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

It works best when I frost the cookies and the kids decorate.

Mexican Bride Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. water
2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (opitional)

Cream together shortening, margarine, and sugar.  Add vanilla, water, and flour.  Add nuts if you would like.  Roll into a log.  Chill in the fridge for a few hours.  When ready to bake slice cookies 1/4" thick.  Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.  While still hot roll cookies in powder sugar then let cool.

*This is our Santa Cookie.  This is the cookie that my mom made with us to give to Santa and now I make it with my girls for Santa. 

Gingerbread Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 tbl vinegar
2 1/2 cups flour

 

Beat shortening and sugar with electric mixer for 30 seconds.  Add baking powder, ginger, soda, cinnamon, and cloves.  Mix until well blended.  Add molasses, egg, and vinegar.  Mix well.  Add flour a 1/2 cup at a time until to hard to mix with electric mixer then knead the rest in.  Let chill in fridge for 3 hours.  Roll out on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.  Bake at 375 degrees for 5-6 minutes or until egdes just start to turn brown. 

 

**I have made these 3 times in the last week and forgot to take a picture every time.  They are very addicting.  Little kids may not like them that much because of the molasses flavor, but Brindley (10 years old) liked them enough that she asked if she could make them for her class party.  They were a hit with her class.

 

This recipe came from my Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.  The dough will for a few days in the fridge too.

Cake Mix Cookies

1 box cake mix
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup applesauce
2 eggs
2-3 tbs water
chocolate chips or nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets

Use a liquid measuring cup to measure oil & applesauce, add 2 eggs, then fill to the 1 cup line with water (or applesauce?).

Mix liquids together then add to cake mix. Stir well. Fold in desired fillings.

Scoop the dough into walnut sized balls. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variation ideas:
add 2/3 cup oatmeal to any recipe
Chocolate/devils food cake with peanut butter chips
Chocolate/devils food cake, balled and rolled into powdered sugar to make crinkle cookies
Chocolate/devils food cake with mint chocolate chips
Chocolate/devils food cake balled with a rolo candy in the center of each cookie
Lemon cake mix with 1 tsp lemon extract, balled and rolled into powdered sugar to make crinkle cookies
White cake mix with butterscotch chips and toasted pecans
M&Ms
Caramel bits

*When you have no time to make cookies, this recipe is really speady.  This recipe came from another blog I follow: Andrea's Secret Recipes.

Ginger Spice Cookies

DO NOT LEAVE ME ALONE IN THE HOUSE WITH THESE!

Found this Recipe on

Our Best Bites.

Ginger Spice Cookies
recipe by Paula Deen
3/4 C Butter flavored Crisco
1 C sugar, plus more for rolling
1 large egg
1/4 C molasses
2 C flour
2 t baking soda
1 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground ginger
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
With an electric mixer, combine shortening and sugar and cream until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add the egg and the molasses and beat until completely incorporated.
Sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and then add to the mixture. Stir until combined. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar.

Place on cookie sheets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just set around the edges and you start to see "crackling" on the top.
They'll puff up while they're baking and as they cool they'll flatten.

Don't overbake! You want to keep them nice and chewy-soft in the middle.

***I have been wanting to make these for a LONG time.  My MIL makes some that are so scrumptious.  When I found this recipe I knew I had to try it.  I even had all of the ingredients to do it!  I could not leave them alone.  The kids ate a few, but didn't enjoy them like I did.

Ranger Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cream together shortening, sugars, egg and vanilla.  Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Stir remaining ingredients into dough.  Form into balls and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

I know I asked the question once about everyone's favorite cookie.  I love many flavors of cookies, but I have to say, RANGER COOKIES are my favorite.  I love the coconut/cornflakes/oatmeal combination.  I even sneak in walnuts sometimes.  How many of you remember making these in HOME EC?
I got this recipe out of the Koosharem Relief Society Cookbook. 

Five Chip Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup EACH: milk chocolate, semi-sweet, peanut butter, butterscotch, and vanilla chips

Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars.  Add eggs, then vanilla.  Combine flour, oats, soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.  Stir in chips.  Drop by spoonfuls 2" apart on ungreased sheets.  Bake at 325 for 11 mins.  Cool one minute before removing to racks.  Makes about 5 dozen. 
*A tip that was passed on with this recipe:  The recipe said 350 degress but if you cut your heat down and bake the cookies longer, they will be chewier, moister, etc.  Cookies like snickerdoodles need the higher heat.

I had an awesome neighbor back in Hyrum that would always make these and then share them.  I have heard many of the neighbors talk about these and how much they love them.  Thanks Traci for sharing.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 can (15 oz) cooked pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 egg
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda, dissolved in 1 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips
Walnuts (optional)
Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil and egg.  Stir together with flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Add dissolved soda, and vanilla to mixture.  Add chocolate chips.  Add wanlnuts if you want.  Grease cookie sheet.  Drop by teaspoon on cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

I'll never forget the times I would go grocery shopping with my brother and we always came home with PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!  These have been one of my FAVS ever since.

This recipe came from a CD of recipes that Jim got me several years ago.  I think the title was 1,000,000 recipes.  I did tweak it a little and added more flour, pumpkin, and of more CHOCOLATE CHIPS!  My girls wouldn't eat these two years ago, so I was hesitant to make them knowing I would be the only one eating them.  They surprised me though.  They loved them!