Chocolate Chip Cookies

Originally found here. The best chocolate chip cookies EVER. I always get compliments when I make these. Always.

1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbls. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
3 cups flour
1 package Ghirarrdeli Milk Chocolate Chips
1/2 bag Ghirarrdeli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Then add dry ingredients. Mix in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 11 minutes. Cookies might not look done but take them out anyways. Let them sit on pan for a few minutes before placing on cooling rack.

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Frosted Pumpkin Cookies

Fall brings out the baker in me. I love being inside baking something yummy when it's a tad cooler outside (since it doesn't get very cold here in So Cal). I found some canned pumpkin at the grocery store and knew I wanted to make something pumpkin-ish. I found this recipe here.

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
2 1/3 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup pumpkin seeds or chopped pecans ***didn't add as many pecans, not big nut lovers in my home (though I LOVE them)
chopped pumpkin seeds ***I didn't add these***
Cinnamon Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3-4 tablespoons milk
Directions
Heat oven to 350F degrees.
Mix brown sugar, butter, and shortening in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and egg. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in pumpkin seeds.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched in the center. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely on wire rack. Frost cookies with Cinnamon Frosting. Sprinkle with additional chopped pumpkin seeds.
Cinnamon Frosting: Mix all ingredients until smooth and spreadable.

Yummy fall treat!!

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Zucchini Cookies

Since I started dieting I haven't had too many treats. I went on the hunt yesterday to find good, healthy alternatives. In my search I found this recipe. The disclaimer is- nothing tastes better than my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe (and I don't even like chocolate). But this is definitely a good alternative. And the kids loved them!!!

Note- I didn't add the walnuts or raisins because I knew my kids wouldn't eat them. But I definitely will next time (for me ;). I think craisins would taste good here too.


106 calories per cookie


1 c butter, at room temp
1 1/2 c sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 c. grated zucchini
2 3/4 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 c walnuts, chopped
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c raisins
1 c sweetened flaked coconut
Preheat oven to 350. In a large a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in zucchini. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add to zucchini mix. Stir in nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, and coconut. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto buttered cookie sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 mins. Transfer to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

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Frosted Orange Cookies

My mom used to make Orange cookies that I loved. I tried to make some a few months ago and screwed up the frosting (uh yah, the best part). So I had a craving and tried to find a recipe that sounded similar to what she made. I found this recipe at Recipezaar. Julia and I had "Mommy Daughter time" today and made these cookies. Yummmmm....not your typical cookie. But good and brings back memories.

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs, beaten
1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
2 tablespoons grated orange rind
3 tablespoons orange juice
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat until smooth and creamy.
Add orange rind and juice; beat well.
Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, beating well.
Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets; bake at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes or until edges just begin to brown.
Cool on wire racks.
Spread tops of cookies with orange glaze.

Orange Glaze

1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted

2 tablespoons grated orange rind

5 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients; beat until smooth.

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