Cowgirl Cookies

I made these cookie mixes for people for Christmas. I got the idea from Bakerella. She does the cutest things on her website. Her cake pops are the most amazing things ever! You have to check them out! Anyway, here is what my jars turned out like:

These are the finished product:

This particular batch had Christmas m&m's so it would be sort of a Christmas theme. I wanted the girls to be able to use it as decoration if they wanted, so that's why I didn't add the m&m's in the jar where they would be visible.

This is how you would arrange them in the jar:

Start with:

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled


1 teaspoon baking powder


1 teaspoon baking soda


1/4 teaspoon salt


1 cup cooking oats

3/4 cup m&ms


3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


1/2 cup brown sugar, packed


1/2 cup white sugar


1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans, or enough to fill to the top of the jar.

*If you don't want to use nuts, just add more m&m's, or chocolate chips.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir dry ingredients into large bowl and add:

1/2 cup butter (almost melted)

1 slightly beaten egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly. I used my hands to combine because the mixture was fairly dry. I also refrigerated mine for 30 minutes so mixture would stick together. Then roll into balls and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

These cookies turn out very chewy and crunchy. :)

Best Ever Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies w/ Coconut

My favorite cookies in the world are the Coconut Oatmeal Chocolate chip cookies from Paradise Bakery.... They are so amazing!!! I tried out this recipe and think they could easily rival Paradise. If you have had the one's from Paradise, you know that is a BOLD statement. But I am the toughest critic when it comes to my baking, and I think they are pretty close. So, try them, they are super easy, and let me know what you think...

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies w/ Coconut:

1 1/4 c. oatmeal

1 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 c. flaked coconut

1 c. choc. chips (I use milk choc. chips)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. oil

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients, then add oil, egg and vanilla.

Mix thoroughly and add in chocolate chips.

Drop with cookie scooper onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 325 for 12 minutes. ENJOY!!!!

Chewy granola bars!

I was watching Martha Stewart yesterday and she had this lady on that made granola bars. I love granola bars, and have always wanted to make them, but haven't had the courage to. But they made it look so easy, like every TV show does! So, I decided to attempt them.... and good thing I did, because they are so much better than the ones in the grocery store, and they WERE so EASY! And QUICK!

Chewy Granola Bars:

1-3/4 c. oatmeal

1-1/4 c. Rice Cereal (Rice Krispies)

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips (or dried fruit, nuts, etc*)

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. vegetable oil

1/3 c. honey

In large bowl, mix cereal and oatmeal, set aside.

In saucepan on medium-high heat, stir together honey, vegetable oil, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and then cook an additional minute. It should become very bubbly, almost foamy looking.

Pour sauce over the oatmeal mixture and stir until all cereal is coated. Pour into greased 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper. Spread the mixture to form in pan, but do not flatten entirely. Sprinkle with chocolate chips or desired topping, then create a flat even surface. Cool to room temperature and cut into bars. Yum! :)

*I think it would be good with craisins and white chocolate chips.

Or, here are some other ideas:

Mini M&M's

Peanut butter chips

Almonds

Raisins (ewww)

Dried apples, apricots, or mangoes