Cut Out Cookies

I don't like Cut-outs... I often find them dry and they're just not my favorite... and yet what is Christmas dessert without them.   My cousin made these for a Powers-Party a few years ago, and they're much better than any recipe I've ever used before. 

Butter cookies

Ingredients:

2 sticks of butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

 

Cream butter, gradually add sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs and vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

Blend into creamed mixture.

Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Roll out on floured surface and cut out shapes.

Bake at 375* for 7-10 min

Icing

Powered sugar, Milk, and Vanilla

 I don't use any measurements,  I just put powered sugar in bowl and add about 1/2 tsp of vanilla, then add milk until I get the consistency I want.

Oatmeal Lace Cookies

Mmmmm.... Oatmeal Lace Cookies.... my favorite cookie of all times.....   They are crunchy, yet melt in your mouth! AmAzInG!

1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. oats
2/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c. milk

1.  Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper and lightly flour

2. preheat oven to 375

3. Melt butter in saucepan.

4. Remove pan from heat and all the rest of the ingredients - stir

5. drop by 1/2 tbsp  (REALLY - THIS IS IMPORTANT - NO BIGGER!!!)  onto cookie sheets

6.  bake for 10 - 12 minutes; until edges are browned.   WATCH CAREFULLY!  They will burn quickly!

7.  Let cool before removing from the pan.  Be careful, they're delicate!

 

This.... or MUCH worse... is what happens when you use more than the 1/2 tbsp!   If this does happen, you'll want to use your spatchula to break the cookies appart BEFORE they cool!

**I like to drizzle designs with melted chocolate on top! 

Saltine Brickle

Time to start baking for Christmas.... I only make about 5 differnt cookies/candy for Christmas - here's the first.  I try not to make this until real close to Christmas because otherwise I will eat it ALLLLL!

Brickle -

BEST website for the recipe - with step by step pictures!!   (BUT.... now I have my own pictures... see below!!!)

http://visualrecipes.com/recipe-details/recipe_id/125/brickle-candy/

Ingredients:

Saltine crackers

2 sticks butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 pkg. chocolate chip cookies

1. Like cookie sheet with foil

2. In a pan over medium heat - add butter, brown sugar and baking soda.  Cook until dark brown and bubbly - see pictues on website! (about 2 minutes)

3.  Pour butter mixture evenly over the crackers

4.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 minutes (the website says 10, but that alwasy burns mine)

5.  Take the pan out and pour your package of chocolate chips over the mixture.   Let the chocolate chips melt (about 2 minutes) then spreak with a knife to evenly coat. 

6. let cool completely then break aparat.

I like to store mine in the freezer in gallon sized ziplocks.   These are everyone's favorites so make a few batches!!!

NOTE:  I like to sprinkle heath bar pieces on the top of the chocolate - you can also do nuts, peppermint pieces, anything that sounds fun.

NOTE #2:  This year, I tried a batch with a pretzle bottom, instead of saltines.... final result:  AmAzInG!!!  Definitely a bit more work getting the brickle off the foil b/c more carmel will go through, but it is totally worth the effort!  If you're going to use pretzles, use the small pretzles so they fit together closely.

Here's the pictures to help you through the process:

Salsa Chicken in the Crockpot

This is my new favorite meal - it is so easy and so delish.

In the crockpot put:
3-4 chicken breasts  (frozen, thawed, partially thawed...whatev)
1 jar salsa
1 can corn (drained) or frozen corn, whatever you have.
1 can black beans (drained) - optional - I've done it with and without. Its fabulous either way

Cook on low 6 hours.   At hour 5 - take the chicken breast out, shred it and put it back along with a packet of taco seasoning.  Stir it all up and let it cook on low another hour.

Enjoy it in a soft shell taco with some cheese and jalepenos.... over rice.... plain. Whatever way you like!

SUPER EASY. SUPER YUMMY!