Frying Bacon Naked

Frozen Coconut S'mores

2011-07-16T15:12:00.000-04:00

I just wanted stop in and share a great little recipe that I found in the August 2011 edition of Woman's Day Magazine. It is a no fuss, no bake dessert that will be great for these HOT Summer days we are having.
Hope you Enjoy!

Frozen Coconut S'mores

Recipe Ingredients

6 to 8 graham crackers (the entire rectangle)

1 1/3 cups heavy cream

4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped, plus more shaved, for serving

3 large egg whites

2 Tbsp sugar

1/2 cup cream of coconut (not coconut milk)

Recipe Preparation

1. Line the bottom of a 9-in.-square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Place graham crackers in the bottom of the pan, cutting them to fit as necessary.

2. Heat 1/3 cup of the cream in a small saucepan until it barely begins to simmer; remove from heat. Add the chopped chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Spread the chocolate mixture evenly over the graham crackers. Freeze for 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a large bowl until frothy. Gradually add the sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form; set aside. In a separate large bowl, using the electric mixer (no need to clean the beaters), beat the cream of coconut and the remaining cup of cream until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the coconut-cream mixture until fully incorporated.

4. Spread the coconut mixture evenly over the chilled chocolate and freeze, covered, for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days. When ready to serve, use the parchment overhangs to lift and transfer the s’more to a cutting board. Cut into 32 bars and top with shaved chocolate, if desired.

* When using coconut cream, it is best to open the can completely and stir to make sure it has not settled or separated.

WooHoo!!! I love Surprises!!!

2011-02-09T19:19:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting so very patiently for a wonderful little surprise to show up on my door step and today it arrived! Remember the apron swap that I joined? Well my SUPER SWEET swap partner sent me an awesome package full of so many things that I just love. Her name is Madelyn and from reading her blog she really loves her fabric and all the great projects she does.

She sent me a beautiful apron, 2 spatulas that I was in so much need of, 2 lovely valentine dish towels, vintage tissues, hand sanitizer,quilted nail file, a super Moda Sweet Treat bag fabric and instructions aaaaannnd....drum roll please......a cookie cookbook and cookie cutters!!!! Oh yes, I am typing with my mouth full of the soft peppermints that she included too. I love these things. I am always the one at the wedding reception filling her pockets full of the little pastel mints that taste just like them. Yum! :)

She knew just how to get to this Cookie girl's heart! I can hardly wait to break open the book for some great recipes and get out my sewing machine to make my treat bag. I am so excited I do not know where to start.

(I had to take the picture my self so that is why my head is cut off.) LOL

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart Madelyn!!! I love everything!

Flirty Apron Swap

2011-02-02T21:34:00.000-05:00

Good Evening to you all! I hope that each one is doing well and warm and cozy in their homes tonight. The fierce weather that has hit many of you is no doubt a hard blow to your daily lives. My prayers are going up for each and every family that has been affected. As for us here in the south we are just wet and cold. But I am looking forward to a soon approaching Spring.
I have been hard at work making a special apron for the Flirty Apron Swap that Shawnee hosts. This will be my second one and I decided to jump in with both feet and make my first ever full apron. I wanted to do something a little different and still vintage inspired so I started digging through all of my old aprons. I found the winner and below is a little history of the original apron.

I have many of my great-grandmother's (Nannie's) aprons that she had made and one in particular is a favorite of mine. I could not figure out what she would have used it for but I just loved the simplicity of it. It is solid white and made from cotton sheeting material. There are no pieces if you will. It is one sold apron with very small rolled hems, no pockets and short ties. It almost reminds me of something a nurse might have worn many years ago and with it being white it looks quite sterile. I decided to call up my sweet Mom and ask her if she remembered the apron. Well, of course she remembered it! She told me my that Nannie had worked at a commissary kitchen making biscuits. That explained the solid white sterile look for sure and the size, looking like a dress, actually covers almost all of your clothing except the arms. Neither of us could figure out the short ties though. Maybe she just pinned it to her clothes.

I took this wonderful apron and used it as my pattern and of course added my own little touches, longer ties, a pocket, a ruffle and lots of color. It took me a little longer than expected to get it all together but I am very proud of the results. I hope that my swap partner likes it as much as I do. I also included a few tuck-ins to make it a sweet valentine gift to remember.

Enjoy the pictures and don't mind the cheesy blonde in the photo it's just me. :) I hope to see you all back here soon.

4 Things About Me

2011-01-17T14:59:00.000-05:00

I just get back into the swing of blogging and I've already been tagged! (Smiles) It seems that Suzi at Savvy Suzi is just dying to know four things about me. Well, I hope I do not disappoint and bore you but here goes.

Four shows I watch

Grey's Anatomy
Bones
House
CSI Miami

Four things I’m passionate about

Jesus
My family
Friends
Baking

Four phrases I use a lot

Really?
Seriously?
Obviously!
Well....
Four things I’ve learned from the past

Not to take things in life too seriously (still learning this one)
Friends will come and go but family will always be there for you. Always!
With every mistake there is a lesson to be learned, and learned and learned again!
To laugh at myself once in a while (I should so do this more often)

Four places I’d love to go

New York (I just can't seem to get there)
Israel
Australia
Tahiti

Four things I did yesterday

Went to church
Took down Christmas tree and decorations (Yes, Finally)
Cooked a quick dinner
Clipped coupons (Favorite new hobby)

Four things I love about winter

Warm Fires
Snow
Hot Cocoa & Coffee
The anticipation of Spring

I'm not really sure who to tag at this point since I've been outta the loop so I will just tell you to go visit Suzi at her blog and leave a nice comment and maybe even a cookie recipe if you have one. (Her boys love cookies) Come back soon for some new recipes too!

It's SNOW good to see you...Happy New Year!

2011-01-13T17:29:00.000-05:00

Well, Well, Well....How in the world are you? Me? I am doing just fine, thanks for asking!
How long has it been? Oh, seems like years doesn't it? Well, It has ONLY been about nine months since I last posted anything. I seem to have lost track just a bit and left this little blog unattended.
Can't say that much has really gone on since the last post that is blog worthy but Hey! it's a New Year so HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!

We have had one heck of a snow for the south. Although we did not get out and play much due to our lingering sickness I did manage to get a few nice snapshots.

I personally like the goofy little snowman. It took every bit of energy we had left in us to get him together but I think he turned out quite cute. He even shows up in the dark due to all of the reflectors and glowing golf balls my husband used on him. (Take note of the eyes, mouth and buttons)

GO GATORS!!!

I know this post is quite short and I do hope to have some that are more interesting along with new recipes and pictures throughout the year. For now I bid you farewell and hope to see you around soon.

The Cookie Girl

What can you make with $5 ?

2010-03-27T00:13:00.000-04:00

I was reading a fellow blogger's post yesterday Laura of Decor to Adore, and in it she was making these cute dish towels for her kitchen. As I read a little further I realized that it was a challenge that she was doing. A $5 challenge to be exact. It all started over at Living with Lindsay and the challenge is to make a Springtime craft using items from the dollar store and spending only $5. I thought it was a pretty neat idea and Laura came up with some awesome ideas. So I decided to head out to the store and see what I could find. I knew that I didn't have long to make something and I actually think I may have missed the deadline for entering the challenge but I wanted to do it anyway and share it with you. Here is what I bought and also what I used from home to make my craft.

Can you guess what I am making? An Apron!!! I love aprons and I always have good intentions to make them but never find the time. I love to hang them in my kitchen for seasonal color and decoration. Especially my vintage aprons. They make the feel of the kitchen very comfortable just having them hanging around. Aprons always have a story to tell even this one. It was really simple to do using dish towels for the apron and a flower to make a removeable pin. And Yes it all came from the Dollar Tree along with some fabric and supplies I already had at home.

Now before I do this tutorial for you I have to say that I am not the best seamstress in the world nor a great teacher so please be kind if you do not understand my directions. Sewing still confuses me. LOL

I started with four dish towels and attached them side by side with a simple straight seam. I did carefully match up the bottom of the towels to keep it even all the way across. Having it un-even at the top doesn't matter because it will be cut anyway.

Once they were all sewn together I cut about 5 inches off the top to even up the seam and get rid of some of the unwanted length.

I then ran a couple of loose stiches across the top so that I could gather the material easily.

Using my contrasting fabric that I had on hand I cut out the waiste band and the ties.

The measurements for these are as follows:

Waistband 10"W x 20" L

2-Ties, each 10" W x 24" L

I then folded each piece in half and pressed with an iron. I then folded them in half again and pressed once more. I opened the fabric pieces up and folded each side in to form what looks like bias tape.

I sewed each side seam of the ties to each end of the waistband.

Then I attached the waistband over the top of the apron and pinned it in place.

Starting at the end of one of the ties and using the zig-zag stitch I stiched all the way across the tie, through the waistband and to the end of the other tie. I went back over the top too just for the fun of it.

To make my big flower pin, I removed the stem and the center of the flower. I attached a yo-yo that I had made and a vintage button with a needle and thread. I then glued down the edges with my hot glue gun. I attached the pin to the back with my glue gun too. Voila!!! Pretty Spring flower.

Once I put it all together it was really a pretty Spring Apron to make. Not too bad for a quick $5 project.

So HAPPY SPRING EVERYBODY!!!!

Chicken & Broccoli Bake plus Product Review

2010-03-12T14:36:00.000-05:00

Howdy All! I hope that each of you have been doing wonderful and are getting ready for the Spring weather. We have had a few beautiful days and now rain again. Either way, it has been a lot warmer and I am all about some warm weather.
In my last post I had told you about a family of online stores called CSN that carries everything from kids bedding to cookware and great gifts for everyone, and that they asked me to review one of the products that they carry. Well I must say that I recieved the item and I am really enjoying it. Here is the product that they sent me.

Isn't so pretty? A 13" baker dish in the wheat or gold color if you will. It matches my dinner plates that I already have. The piece is by Signature Housewares and is the Sorrento collection.

They carry a beautiful variety of colors such as the burgundy, sage, ruby and chocolate colors. I love mixing them too.

I have already used the baker for marinating my meats, baking a bread pudding and even baking this new dish I came up with, my Chicken and Broccoli bake. Is it a healthy dish that works with my new healthy eating habits? You bet it is!!! It packs a good flavor too. The baker dish made it look so pretty too. What a great way to serve your meal in style.

Thanks so much CSN for allowing me to review this great product. I can't wait to get more pieces to go with my collection.

Now how about that recipe! A very simple one that can easily be prepared for a weeknight meal.

Chicken & Broccoli Bake

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 c. broccoli florets

1 1/2 c. low fat chicken broth

3 Tbs. Whole wheat flour

1/4 c. I can't believe it's not butter SPRAY

1/4 c. fat free parmesan style grated cheese

3 slices Double Fiber Bread (dried & made into bread crumbs)

1-2 Tbs. Italian seasoning (I use Herby)

Salt & Pepper

Directions: Boil chicken with about two tablespoons of salt until tender and no longer pink.

Steam broccoli florets sprinkled with salt if desired,until tender.

Combine bread crumbs with the Parmesan cheese and Italian Seasoning.

Spray bottom of casserole dish with cooking spray. Drain broccoli and add to the bottom of dish.

Shred chicken and add to the top of broccoli.

In a sauce pan over medium/low heat, combine the 1/4 cup butter spray and 3 Tablespoons of whole wheat flour. Whisk into what looks a bit like a thin paste. Slowly add the chicken broth whisking continuously until smooth. Season with pepper if desired. One the sauce has thickened a bit and is bubbly, pour over the chicken.

Cover the chicken with the bread crumb mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think. Until next time, Happy Healthy Eating!

Guilt Free~Cherry Berry Cheesecake Dessert

2010-03-02T12:36:00.000-05:00

So being on this healthy kick for almost two weeks now has really given me a challenge when it comes to desserts. You all know I love my butter and sugar. I did manage to come up with this GUILT FREE, that's right folks GUILT FREE dessert that tastes pretty darn good. A Cherry Berry Cheesecake Dessert to be exact. Very simple in it's preparation and quite satisfying when you are losing your mind over the sugar detox that is taking place in your body. :)
Try it out and let me know if you think it is worthy of being a go to dessert for the healthy days.

Cherry Berry Cheesecake Dessert

1 box sugar free cherry jell-o

1 box sugar free cheesecake pudding mix (instant)

1 3/4 cups skim milk

1 1/2 cups boiling water

3 cups sliced strawberries

In a medium bowl add the water and bring to a boil in the microwave. Add the jell-o packet and stir until dissolved. Place this in the freezer until it has cooled down but still liquified.
In a separate bowl, pour in the milk and whisk in the cheesecake pudding mix.
Once the mixture has thickened pour it into a medium casserole dish or small trifle bowl.
Top the pudding with the sliced berries.
Slowly pour the cooled jell-o mixture over the top. Cover and refrigerate until set.

Here is my finished product. Super Duper Easy!

Disaster Zone & Loco Chicken & Rice

2010-03-01T17:25:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a weekend. Do you remember me telling you that I was making my Father in Law's birthday cake. Well, I did make it. I spent two days on it and it WAS great. Was being the key word here. Before I get into that part of the story though, I will tell you what I did to this great cake. I made it in three tiers, and two flavors (because it had to feed about 75 people) and I decorated it like a mountain side complete with the waterfall, rocks, cattails, 3D trees,a rustic wood plank sign annnnnddd 2 bucks and a fawn. Whew! A lot of stuff on the cake. Why am I describing this to you? Because I was not able to get a picture of it before this happened......

GASP!!!! Okay...are you back in your seat yet? What had happened was.....my dear, sweet, loving, precious husband was driving the SUV and a light turns yellow. The hesitation of him wanting to go or stop resulted in a heavy pressing of the brake pedal to actually stop the vehicle and PLOP! The cake went flying. Our little princess began to cry and tell me the cake was broken. We pull over and get out of the car to assess the true damage and well.....let's just say the rest is history. The only thing that managed to survive was the sign and trees. This being because I was holding them on our long hour trip to the party.

Through my tears and frustration we made it to the party (I did not want to be there at this point) and my dear, sweet, precious, loving husband wisked the cake immediately to the kitchen where I performed the miraculous cake surgery.( I cut it into serving size pieces and gave the people what they wanted) DELICIOUS CAKE!!!!

Mocha Chocolate cake, and traditional birthday cake flavor with a bavarian filling and buttercream frosting.

The party was really nice. My father-in-law was celebrating his 70th birthday and it was his first ever birthday party. My mother-in-law did a great job with the food. She served spaghetti with salad and garlic bread, chicken salad sandwiches (because my father-in-law wanted them ) and the disaster that I brought in the door.

Oh well....at least nothing went to waste and he enjoyed all the attention too.

I did manage to make a pretty yummy and healthy dish for dinner last night too. My mexican creation of Loco Chicken and Rice.

The recipe follows for those who would like to try it.

Loco Chicken and Rice

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 pkt. McCormicks Chicken Taco Seasoning

1/2 C. MCT Oil

1 large red bell pepper

1 large yellow bell pepper

1 large yellow onion

1 1/2 C. Whole Graing Rice

4 C. Chicken Broth

1 jar Pace Picante Sauce

Veggie Cheese

Light Sour Cream

Scallions

Directions:

Cut up chicken breasts into strips and place in a large bowl. Drizzle 1/4 cup of MCT Oil over it and add the chicken taco seasoning. Toss to coat and marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.

Cut up the onion and bellpeppers into thin strips. Heat a large skillet on medium heat and add 1/4 cup of MCT oil. Sautee the onions and peppers until semi tender. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Increase heat to medium/high heat and add chicken strips. Cook until browned on both sides and no longer pink inside.

Add the peppers and onions back to the chicken and lower heat to simmer.

Cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes to deglaze the pan.

In a large saucepan pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add rice, stir and cover. Reduce heat to low and cook aobut 30 minutes or until rice is tender and broth has evaported.

Add the jar of picante sauce and stir.

Plate up the dinner by scooping out the rice onto the plate and topping with the loco chicken and peppers.

Add a dollop of sour cream, cheese and scallions if desired.

ENJOY!!!

Shopping, Baking & Healthy Chicken Fingers

2010-02-26T11:11:00.000-05:00

The other day I was introduced to a family of online shops that I did not know existed. Or at least I did not know about all of them. I was completely amazed at the 200+ available sites to shop from carrying everything from kids bedding to cookware. As I began searching through the CSN sites my first stop was of course at the bakeware and dinnerware. I was so excited when I saw my dishes on there. They are by Signature Houseware. I was even more excited when I realized they carried the accent pieces to go with them. So get ready for an upcoming post where I will be doing a review on the baking dish in my plate pattern.
I am excited to see what creative ways I will be able to use it and share with you. I will definitely be purchasing more pieces from them as well as searching their kids bedding for my little princess a room makeover.
Oh My, So many projects going on at one time here at the Cookie Girl's home. Will I ever finish them all? I ask myself why I add more to the mix but I just can't help myself. So once again, I add this extra baking project to the list today. I am off to make a birthday cake for my Father in Law's 70th birthday. I am pretty lost on what I will do for the decorations but I am sure something will come together. I will post about it later if I survive from NOT eating the frosting. :)
Before I enter into the baking zone I would like to leave you with a healthy recipe that you can try this weekend. I promise that you will like it. Here you gooooooo.......

Baked Chicken Fingers

4 - 5 slices of Double Fiber Bread (dried out and ground into bread crumbs)

2 Tbs. Italian Seasoning (I use the Herby Organic Seasoning)

2 Tbs. Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 pkt. Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing Mix

1/4 c. Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

3 Tbs. Water

1/2 C. MCT Oil

3 Medium Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 2 lbs.)

2 egg whites

I can't believe it's not butter Spray

Directions: Dry out your bread slices by placing a bakers rack on a cookie sheet.

Then laying the bread slices on top of the rack and bake in a 200 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the bread is dry to touch. Process the bread in a food processor to get a small crumb texture.

Add the Italian herbs and parmesan cheese and mix together.

Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Wash and pat dry the chicken breasts and cut into strips the size of chicken fingers.

Whisk together the italian dressing mix, vinegar, water and MCT oil until completely blended.

In a bowl, add the chicken and dressing mix. Marinate this for about 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil.

Pour the bread crumbs into a shallow pie plate.

Whisk 2 egg whites in a seperate pie plate.

Dip each chicken stip into the egg whites and then roll in the bread crumbs to coat. (they will not be coated completely. This is okay. )

Place the strips on the lined baking sheet. Spritz with the butter spray.

Bake for 20-30 minutes turning the strips half way through.

Serve on a salad or with veggies. You can even use these for appetizers with a great dip.

ENJOY!!!!

Breaded Chicken Fingers

A Cookie Girl Gone Healthy~ McGriddle Style

2010-02-23T12:10:00.000-05:00

Having read the title I am sure some of you are wondering, "What is going on with the Cookie Girl?"
It's simple really. I just want to fit into my swimsuit this year. I am no stranger to health and fitness. My husband was an amateur body builder and I have even been known to train for fitness model competitions. This in no way makes me an expert on the subject but it does give me a little advantage to the journey that I am embarking on for the next few months. I have a goal that has been set and I need for all of my readers to hold me accountable for this goal. Are you ready? I want to lose 30 lbs. There, I said it. Not as hard as I thought it would be. :)
Now this does not mean that I will not be posting some delicious sweet and savory recipes and pics for you. As a matter of fact, I have one for you today. It's just a wee bit healthier.
How many of you like the McDonald's McGriddle breakfast sandwiches? I love them but the fat and calorie content are not very swimsuit friendly. How about a reality check on this.
A Sausage McGriddle has 420 calories, 22 grams of fat, 44 grams of Carbs, 11 grams protein.

Will I ever eat another one? Not sure about that. I do however have a great alternative to this. Wanna see?

I give you the Healthy McGriddle

Healthy McGriddle

2 slices of Natures Own Double Fiber Bread (50 cal. slice)

Cinnamon (optional)

4 egg whites or egg white substitute w/o yolk

2 pieces Canadian Bacon

1 slice Veggie Cheese

Sugar Free Maple Falvor Syrup

*MCT Oil (optional)

NOTE: not all MCT oil is created equal

Butter Flavor cooking spray

Preheat griddle to Medium High heat. In a shallow pie plate whisk your egg whites. Spray griddle with cooking spray. Dip bread slices in egg white (just like for french toast) place on griddle. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Brown bread slices on each side and transfer to serving plate.

Spray griddle once more with cooking spray or use 1 TBS. MCT oil. Cook egg whites like scrambled eggs. Fold eggs to fit bread and place on one slice. Salt to taste if desired.

Cook the canadian bacon until slightly brown and heated. Place on top of egg whites. Add a slice of veggie cheese and drizzle with a couple of Tablespoons of Sugar Free Syrup. Top with remaining bread slice. Serves One. Enjoy this with your morning coffee and you will be ready to start your day the Cookie Girl Way!
LOL It rhymes. :)

Nutrional information for the Cookie Girl Griddle:

Calories: 239 Protein: 29g Fat: 21g Fiber: 10g Carbohydrates: 26g

*Click here MCT OIL for information on this product.

I am not a physician. If you have concerns or questions about the products that are listed in my recipes please consult with your family doctor before using them.

Wow! What a difference in nutritional value. Try it out and let me know what you think about the flavors.

I have many other recipes that I will be sharing while I am on this healthy journey to swimsuit heaven. :)

I hope that you will enjoy reading these posts and trying new recipes with me.

Here's to Sweet and Healthy eating!

XOXO

The Cookie Girl

I Heart Valentine's Day!

2010-02-12T11:07:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhh Yes! Valentine's day is so very close. I love this special holiday. All of the pink and red makes me giddy like a little school girl waiting for that little paper valentine from the dreamy blue eyed boy in the seat beside her. Do you remember those days when everyone swpped their valentine cards at school? Those days have since past but the sweet memories linger. Now that my little Princess is getting older she will soon get to make those memories with her school friends and I can't wait to help her make the cutest little valentine for that dreamy blue eyed boy. Shhhh....don't tell her daddy I said that. He has decided to keep her under lock and key until she is 30!!!
She is only 4 and already stealing hearts. She just performed in her first ballet recital this past weekend and made hearts melt with her smile. Okay...she made my heart and her daddy's heart melt. Can you tell we are proud parents? Here are a few pictures of her on stage. No stage fright at all.

(By the way, I married that dreamy blue eyed boy and he is still dreamy and Oh so wonderful.)

Okay, I got a little off the Valentine subject for a second but I could not resist sharing my pics with you.

Since this is such a "SWEET" holiday for me I would like to share with you a couple of treats that I made to celebrate. There is nothing like peanut butter and chocolate together. Don't you agree? One of my all time favorite treats is the Reese cup. They have the Double Peanut Butter Hearts out for Valentine's. Yum! I think I can do one better than that. How about Peanut Butter Brownies covered in chocolate? Oh, Yeah! That's the ticket. Just wait until you see what I did with the scraps. :)

It all started with this recipe...

PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES

1 cup AP flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

6 Tbls. butter, softened

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla flavor

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 2 in. square pan with bakers joy or Non-stick spray.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla.

Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 mintues or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. Turn out onto a piece of waxed paper to cut into shapes if desired.

Cut out the brownies

Melt your chocolate morsels in the microwave. (DO NOT GET WATER IN THE CHOCOLATE)

It will seize up and ruin the chocolate.

Using a spatula, cover the bottom of the brownie with chocolate and place on bakers rack chocolate side up. you can place them in the freezer for a couple of minutes to speed up the drying process.

This is a messy process but worth it.

Now cover the sides and top of brownies with chocolate.

Place back on the bakers rack and into freezer for a few minutes.

You can leave them as is or add a little more to dress them up. I used white chocolate to decorate them.

store them in a single layer in an air tight container. You can package them seperately for gifts too.

I had a lot of left over brownie pieces too. I've always been taught, "Waste not, Want not".

So I took a little time to make some brownies pops. Here's how.

I used my food processor to make crumbs and then added a little cream cheese frosting to it.

I forgot to take a picture of the brownie mix as I rolled it into balls. But that is what you do. Just roll it into 1 1/2" balls. Place on a waxed paper covered cookie sheet and freeze for abot 15 minutes.

I used white chocolate to cover them . I melted the chocolate in the microwave and added a little marshmallow and coconut flavored oil to it. (It was so good)

Remove the balls from the freezer and insert sucker sticks into each ball. Dip into the chocolate and gently tap and swirl to remove excess. You can add sprinkles like I did or get a little more creative.

Here is the finished product with a few heart shaped chocolate lollipops added in.

My inspiration came from Bakerella. If you haven't seen her creative pops you should really check her blog out.

As Always....Enjoy! And Happy Valentine's Day!

XOXO

The Cookie Girl

Muse & Company Fleur de lis Chair Giveaway

2010-02-05T13:48:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! Are you up for a giveaway? You must see this divine giveaway over at A Diva's Hammer. My friend "The Muse" & Company are hosting this wonderfully, beautiful giveaway.
See the chair below? It is the prize. Go and visit her here A Diva's Hammer and you just might win. Regardless if you win the chair or not, you will love reading her blog(s)
Have a Beautiful Friday!!!!

Creme Caramel....Sorta

2010-02-02T10:12:00.000-05:00

Good Tuesday morning friends! It's gonna be another wet one today. I have a busy week still ahead of me. My sweet little princess has her first ballet recital on Saturday and we have full dress rehersal tomorrow night. I can hardly wait to see her all dressed up and dancing on stage. I am sure I will get emotional. The program is called Footsteps in Faith and I just know it will be beautiful. I will post some pictures of it all for you to see.

So on to something a little more delectable for today. I should start by saying how much I love using organic foods and eggs are no exception. Being a Foodbuzz featured publisher has it's perks too. We get to try new foods and this time around it was Eggland's Best eggs. They really are delicious eggs and I am one who uses a ton of eggs in the kitchen. There are very few dishes that I make that it doesn't call for them. So of course I was excited to try the organic eggs that Eggland's Best has. did I mention they are pretty too. Brown eggs are my favorite.
What all can you make with a dozen eggs? Here are some of the things that I made. Pasta Mama, Egg Salad Sandwiches, and of course Creme Caramel. I have never made this before and was a little nervouse on how it would turn out. I did not have the little custard cups to use (feel free to donate to the cause) lol, so I just made one big custard in a 9 inch cake pan. It took me a second to get use to the caramelized sugar (or burnt) if you will. But it really adds such a wonderful flavor to the custard. So much flavor in fact, I ate half of the custard by myself in almost one sitting. shhhhhh......don't tell anyone that part.
A little breakdown of the recipe for you and some pictures for that great visual effect.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar,divided

3 large eggs

2 egg yolks

1 1/2 cup evaported milk

1 cup regular milk

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Place 1 cup sugar in a heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat 10 mites or until sugar caramelizes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Pour evenly into 8 (4-ounce) custard cups or 1 9" cake pan.

Does anyone see the pit bull in the pan?

Heat both the evaporated milk and regular milk together until warm. I did this in the microwave.
Whisk together eggs, egg yolks, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar until blended. Gradually add warm milk, whisking constantly; stir in vanilla.

Pour mixture into prepared custard cups or cake pan. Cover each with aluminum foil; place in a 13-x9-inch pan. Add hot water to pan to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove custard cups or cake pan from water; uncover. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill 3 hours.
Run a knife around edge of cups to loosen; invert each onto a dessert plate.

Voila! A creamy and delicious dessert.

Important Notice!!! Banana Nut Bread Cobbler EDITED!!

2010-01-27T23:05:00.000-05:00

Okay! I'm human. Yes! Seriously. I know. It's hard for me to believe too. And Yes! I do make mistakes. Just like the one where I forgot an ingredient in my Banana Nut Bread Cobbler recipe. gasp!!!!!

Please forgive this error. I must send a special thank you to one wonderful reader who has my back and let me tell ya, the girl can see like an eagle. WOW!!!!

Paloma at THE COFFEE SHOP posted a comment on my recipe and said she saw that my photo looks like it has oatmeal in the cobbler. She is totally right and again WOW!!! Great eyes but of course she did not see it in the recipe.

Thank YOU Paloma!!!!

I edited the post and the recipe is now correct. whew...close one.

Banana Nut Bread "Cobbler"

2010-01-26T15:48:00.000-05:00

Do you enjoy banana nut bread? I love making it during the holidays. My usual routine starts sometime in late October and continues until January ans sometimes February. I have made as many as 300 loaves of Banana bread for one customer before!
Now how about cobbler's? Do you like those too? I am in love with my version of peach cobbler. Just smelling the aroma of peaches and cinnamon bubbling makes my taste buds do a happy dance.
I use a version of the "Quick Cobbler" recipe that most are familiar with and just do my own thing with it.
So getting to my point about all of this. The other day I was reading in my Southern Living magazine and came across a recipe for Banana Bread Cobbler. Wow! I had never really thought about this before. It sounds delicious doesn't it. Well let me just tell y'all...IT IS!!!
I have even added the recipe for you. I did a little tweaking on it too.

Banana Bread Cobbler

1 cup Self Rising Flour

1 stick butter (melted)

1 cup sugar
1 cup milk

pinch of salt

4 Medium Ripe Bananas

Streusel Topping

1 cup regular oats

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 stick butter (softened)

1/2 cup self rising flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl add the flour and sugar and salt. Whisk to remove lumps. Add the milk and whisk until blended and the butter and mix gently. Pour into a greased 9x12 baking pan or casserole dish.

Slice bananas and place on top of the cobbler mixture.

Mix together all of the streusel topping mixture until crumbly.

Sprinkle over the bananas and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Would you like a bite?

Bake Sale for Haiti Relief

2010-01-25T09:41:00.000-05:00

Good Morning to all of my wonderful readers. I have some very exciting news to share with you. As you all know of the horrific tragedy that has taken place in Haiti and the major relief that is so needed there; A special lady, Diane of My Chic Life has put together a virtual bake sale in hopes to raise funds for this relief. There are 65 bakers/bloggers that are participating in this event and you as our readers are our biggest helpers. Each baker will have an awesome baked item(s) that they will ship to the highest bidder. Can you believe there are 65 delicious treats to choose from and bid on? There are even gluten free and vegan items.
So on Wednesday hop on over to the link below and place your bid. You get the sweet satisfaction of special baked treats and knowing that you are helping others in need. All of the funds raised will go to the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.
Haiti Bake Sale Bid Page

Want to know what I am baking so you can bid on my treats?
Well here you go:
A cookie variety from "The Cookie Girl's" specialty menu. The winning bidder get's to choose his/her cookie flavors from my menu. They will be baked fresh, packaged beautifully and shipped the same day for freshness. I will even gift wrap them if you want to give them as a gift.
I look forward to seeing this awesome event take place and can't wait to see how much is raised. Good Luck to you all and THANK YOU for supporting this great cause.

XOXO
The Cookie Girl

Yeast Dough and Cinnamon Buns

2010-01-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

So I wanted to make some yeast rolls today. This isn't something that I do often and I don't exactly have a great recipe for them yet. I did find a simple yeast dough recipe and altered it a little to suit my taste. I did everything as I thought I should and my yeast rolls turned out okay. Not the best, but okay. A little heavy for me really. I had a lot of dough from this recipe and did not need that many yeast rolls so I said to myself, "Self! Let's make some cinnamon buns." So we umm...I did! Mini ones at that and surprisingly enough they were AWESOME. Might I even dare to say a close runner with the all time favorite CINNABON. Okay that's a little stretch. I love CINNABON!!!
Here's how it all breaks down....

Yeast Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups hot water (not boiling. This will kill the yeast)

1/2 cup butter (melted)

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup cold water

2 (.25oz.) pks active dry yeast

6 cups AP flour

2 eggs

Directions:

Combine the hot water and butter together then add your sugar and and salt and stir well. Add the cold water and yeast and stir to dissolve (about 5 minutes)

Add 3 cups of flour and mix until well blended.

Add the 2 eggs and the remaining flour and mix until completely combined.

note: I did all of this in my Kitchen Aid mixer and then transfered the dough to a greased glass bowl and turning to coat the dough.

Fill a pan with hot water and place it on the bottom rack of cool oven. Place the bowl of dough above the pan and cover with a damp cloth. Let the dough rise until it is doubled in size. This is called proofing.

Once the dough has doubled in size punch it down, cover and let it double in size again. About 30 minutes for this second process.

For the Cinnamon Buns:

1 stick butter (softened)

4 Tbs. Cinnamon

1 1/2 c.Brown Sugar

Nuts (if desired)

2-9x12 Baking pans

Parchment paper

Cooking Spray

In small bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well.

Spray baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.

On a generously floured surface, turn out the dough and sprinkle with flour. Knead the dough about 9 or 10 times and form a round or an oval in my case of the the dough.

Separate the dough in half. You will have two batches of cinnamon buns.

With one half of the dough, begin rolling it out into a rectangle shape about 1/2 inch thick. (mine is not but I wasn't going for perfection here.)

Once you have your rectangle. Brush or spread on about 1/4 cup or 1/2 stick of the softened butter.

Spread 1/2 of the cinnamon/sugar mixture over the dough.

Begin rolling the dough up into a log shape as pictured.

One you have the log shape you are ready to cut. Use a sereated knife for this process. Make your cuts about 1 inch apart to form these mini buns or a little larger if you like.

Place the buns in the baking pan about 1/2 inch apart.

Cover and set aside while working on the second pan. Repeat the above process.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake your cinnamon buns for 30-40 minutes.

Glaze:

1 stick of butter (softened)

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

3-4 Tablespoons milk

Combine the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt together until creamy. Add the milk a little at a time for an easy spreading consistency.

After your buns have cooled for about 10 minutes in the pan, spread the glaze over top.

You can serve these warm or even cooled down. I am eating them while posting this recipe with my morning coffee. :) It's great to have leftovers!

YUM!

What's For Dinner?

2010-01-12T11:45:00.000-05:00

I just did a What's for Dinner post on my second blog Frying Bacon Naked.

How does Thyme and Garlic Skillet Roasted Chicken with Fried Sweet Potatoes sound? Pretty Good Huh?
Go check it out. Then come back here for dessert. Want a sneak peak? Look below..........

Skillet Roasted Chicken & Fried Sweet Potatoes

2010-01-12T11:44:00.000-05:00

I have been having a hard time juggling both of my blogs but for now I will say I am going to to better at it until I figure out what to do. Should I combine both of them? Keep them seperate? I'm torn really. What do you think I should do? Any suggestions?
Enough with the questions. Let's get to why you are really here today. I am going to take a guess and say.....Skillet Roasted Chicken and Fried Sweet Potatoes. Did I get it right? I know! I'm good like that.

This is what we had for dinner last night. I am not a roasting expert but I have to say that the chicken was enjoying itself in all the butter and herbs while I prepared it. I was reading a recipe where they roasted their chicken in a cast iron pan. All I had was this skillet and yes I think it was a little small for the chicken but I wanted to see if it had any effect on the flavor. I don't think it did but I'm glad I tried it. The clean up was a breeze too.
So here is what I did. I bathed the bird and dried it. I lightly oiled my skillet with olive oil. I then combined a 1/4 cup of softened butter with 2 tsp. dried thyme and 3 tsp. minced garlic. Using my fingers I smothered the chicken under the skin with the butter mixture and then used the remaining butter to cover the whole outside of the bird. Sprinkled it with coarse salt and pepper. I tied up the legs and placed the bird breast side up in my skillet. I forgot to tuck the wings. I don't think it really cared. :)

My oven was preheated to 450 degrees and I roasted it for 30 minutes at that temperature. I then reduced the heat to 350 degrees and continued to roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turning and basting the bird a few times as well. Check the chicken temperature with a meat thermometer. Once it is at 180 degrees it is done.
Remove it from the oven and let it stand about 10 minutes. Remove from skillet to serving tray and cover loosly with foil.

On to the Fried Sweet Potatoes....

I wanted to do something a little different than my normal fried sweet potatoes with sugar and butter. I have been using Agave Nectar for a while because of the Low Glycemic Index. We like it with our pancakes and waffles when I add a little maple flavor to it so I decided to try it on the potatoes.

I peeled and sliced 4 potatoes. (Slice them thin for quicker cooking time)

I then melted 1 Tablespoon of butter over medium/high heat and placed a single layer of potatoes in the pan. I drizzled the potatoes with the Agave Nectar and cooked them for about 3 minutes on each side.

Once they were done I transfered them to my plate and sprinkled with cinnamon, drizzled honey and a pat of butter. YUM!!!!

Of coure we have to have our greens so I just steamed a little broccoli for that and Voila!!! Dinner is served.

The chicken turned out perfectly seasoned and juicy. The potatoes were just as yummy with the hint of honey added at the end. A very good dinner if I do say so myself.

Below are the ingredients needed for the chicken and potatoes if you would like to try it.

Enjoy!

Roasted Chicken

450 degrees for 30 minutes then 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done.

1 4-5 lb. whole chicken

1/4 cup softened butter

2 tsp. dried thyme

3 tsp. minced garlic

coarse salt and pepper

Roasting pan or Cast Iron Skillet

Fried Sweet Potatoes

Medium High Heat cooking in single layers

4 sweet potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)

6 Tbs. butter softened

Agave nectar (I added maple flavor to my whole bottle. About 3-4 tsp.)

Honey

Cinnamon

The Coffee Shop: Changes and the FIRST GIVEAWAY!

2010-01-10T22:30:00.000-05:00

Quick! Do you need a coffee fix? Get over here to the Coffee Shop and try your chance of winning the Starbucks giveaway.
The Coffee Shop: Changes and the FIRST GIVEAWAY!

Snow + Homemade Hot Cocoa = Warm Smiles

2010-01-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Yay!!! We had our first snow here in the South and that makes me very happy. I love snow! My daughter who is now 4 years old has never seen a pretty snow (except on T.V.) and has been asking for one for a while. She finally got her wish.

Now I know that all of you Northern readers are scratching your head and saying, "that is not a SNOW" and yes my Christmas decorations are still up (don't judge me!)
But for us here in the South it can be a big deal. It has been almost 17 years since we have seen a big snow (remember the blizzard of 93') WOW!!!That was crazy fun for us. I was um....15 maybe 16 at the time and had a blast! Yes I am telling my age but I'm still a big kid.
Anyway....Chloe kept checking the snow all night last night and as soon as it even layed a little she was out making snow angels. I love to see that excitement in her.

The face she is making is so funny. She did not realize how cold it would be to lay in the snow. LOL

She was up early this morning too and immediately wanted to make a snowman. I had to do my best explaining to a 4 year old that there wasn't enough snow to make a big snowman and that we could do a little one. She didn't care and was happy to do that.
This is what we came up with and before you laugh too hard, we actually gave him a name "Peppy".

Not my idea but see how his eye's are kind of starry? Yes that is starlight peppermints. LOL Not my idea either. I think that he is or at least his head is very cute.
Chloe is quite proud of him too.
Once we finished up we came in to warm up to some hot homemade Cocoa with marshmallows and dark chocolate shavings. That definately makes us both smile. :)

Now how would you like the recipe? Okay...here you go. Just click this link. HOT COCOA
It is very easy and yummy to make. I added the marshmallows and shaved chocolate because that's just how I like it. :)
Here's to wishing for an even bigger snow this year and even more hot Cocoa.

XOXO
The Cookie Girl & CG in training!

I just remembered !!!

2010-01-06T10:50:00.000-05:00

As I was going through my posts from last year I noticed that I put a very tempting, teasing picture of a most delicious cake that I had made for Easter. Remember this one?

One thing I failed to do was another post of the recipe. Now that was not very nice of me was it? I mean really, who forgets something like that? But then I thought to myself, "Oh, they probably wouldn't want that old recipe anyway". Seriously, would you? Oh, Alright!!! Enough messing around with your head. I will post it for you. I suppose that it will help bring a little Spring and Summer warmth to all of this cold weather we are having. Miami even got some winter temps this week. I guess we can all use a little warming up. Just keep thinking beaches,tropical sunsets, beaches,tropical sunsets. Okay Good. Now you are ready. I hope you all enjoy making this delicious cake.

XOXO

Tropical Sunset Cake

For the cake:

1 pkg. orange cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

1 small box of orange jell-o

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup oil

pink food color (optional)

For the filling:

1 20oz. can crushed pineapple (drained)

2 cups sugar

1 10oz. pkg flake coconut

1 c. sour cream

1 8oz. cool-whip

toasted coconut for the top.

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine first 6 ingredients and mix well. Pour equal parts into 3 greased 9" cake pans.

(you can color 1/3 of the mixture with the food color for a pretty sunset effect)

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack. Cool layers completely before frosting

In another large mixing bowl, combine pineapple, sugar, coconut,and sour cream.

Mix well and remove 1 cup and set aside.

Place one cake layer on cake plate and top with 1/3 of the pineapple mixture. Repeat layers 2 more times. Combine Cool-whip and the reserved cup of pineapple mixture. Mix well and cover sides and top of cake, Sprinkle toasted coconut over top and refrigerate.

ENJOY!!!

Pace Picante Chicken Tortilla Super Bowl Soup

2010-01-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

Okay Okay...I know this isn't a cookie post but it is a good one so just hang in there with me til the end and you will love what you see.

I know that I am not a chef, I don't even claim to be an amazing cook but I can come up with some winner recipes from time to time that my family loves. So as a part of the Tastemaker program at Foodbuzz I received two jars of Pace Picante Sauce to try out and come up with a great recipe. It took me a little bit to decide what to try and make with it but I finally did it!

I took some basic ingredients that I almost always have on hand and combined them to make a very yummy (if I do say so myself) soup. In the picture are some of the ingredients that I used.

Here is my recipe. I hope you like it!

Pace Picante Chicken Tortilla Super Bowl Soup

1 lb. boneless chicken breast

1 pkg. mild taco seasoning (I used McCormick)

1 4 oz. can green chili's

1 jar Pace Picante Sauce (I used Medium)

1 tsp. chicken flavor Better Than Bouillon

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp lemon pepper

1 can cream of chicken soup (low sodium)

2 fresh tomatoes diced

In a large pot, fill it half way with water and add the taco seasoning pack. Rinse chicken and add to the water. Boil for about 20 minutes or until done.

Remove chicken from the pot and set aside. Using the broth that has been made by cooking your chicken, add the remaining ingredients and stir well. You made need to whisk the cream of chicken soup in to prevent the lumps. Shred the chicken and add this back to the pot. Let this simmer for 20-30 minutes.

You can garnish with cheese, green onions, sour cream, and of course tortilla chips.

Note: I made my own tortilla strips with regular flour tortillas. I cut them in strips and sprayed both sides with cooking oil. Sprinkle with salt and bake for about minutes at 350 degrees.

This really is a simple soup to make and has a lot of flavor. For those of us who are trying to watch our figures, it is pretty darn healthy too.

Enjoy!

Who Loves Wedding Cake?

2009-09-11T22:58:00.000-04:00

How many of you love wedding's? How about wedding cake? There is just something that is so delicious about a wedding cake. What makes it so good? Is it the whole day with all of the beauty, excitement, joy, romance, and love that is in the air? Possibly. Yes. I think it does play a big part in what makes the cake and all of the other delightful treats taste so much more yummy.
So, how would you like a recipe for such a cake? I have one you know and it is so wonderful that you can make it for a wedding cake, birthday cake or anytime cake when you just get a craving. It is pretty durable for stacking too. The best part....it's versatile, quick and easy. I used it for the two cakes that you see below. A BIG hit!

Chocolate Groom's Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and Fondant UGA G.

Bride's cake with yellow layers and traditional butter cream frosting.

Enjoy playing around with the recipe. I think you will like it.

Easy Cake Layers

1 box cake mix white, chocolate, etc...

1 box instant pudding mix (I use the same flavor as the cake mix)

4 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

Mix all ingredients together until blended. Mix 2 more minutes on medium speed.

Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

Use your favorite frosting and dig in. Don't forget the milk on the side!

Best Ever Peanut Butter Cookies

2009-09-02T20:23:00.000-04:00

Peanuuuuut Peanut Butter.....

What better way to start of this beautiful month of September than with a sweet, creamy, melt in your mouth peanut butter cookie recipe and a few pictures to make you drool.

This is the best PB cookie recipe ever. I love adding the morsels to it for a little extra PB flavor.

2 c. AP flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 c. dark brown sugar

1 1/4 c. granulated sugar

1 c. butter, softened

3 eggs slightly beaten

1 c. creamy peanut butter

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 c. peanut butter morsels

Mix dry ingredients and set aside.

Blend together sugars and butter. Add the eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla until fluffy.

On low speed add dry mixture until barely mixed with wet. Add morsels and blend well.

Drop by the Tablespoon 2 " apart onto baking sheet.

Using a fork dipped in sugar, make a criss-cross pattern on each cookie.

Bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool on flat surface or wire rack.

Want a better look? Here you go! Sorry, I'm out of virtual napkins ENJOY!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2009-08-21T20:37:00.000-04:00

Hey Y'all! Just a quick post tonight. I have been hard at work for 3 days on this cake for my Dad's 63rd birthday. Isn't this little guy just the cutest. :)

He is made out of fondant as well as the road. The cake is covered in butter cream with a milk chocolate ganache filling. Yummy!

Okay....so here goes nothing....

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Sweet Daddy! Happy Birthday to you.

Did you guys like my singing? HeeHee!

Happy Birthday to any and everyone with a Birthday this month.

Lot's of Love and Yummy Baking!

The Cookie Girl

What's For Dinner? Buffalo Chicken Salad

2009-06-08T21:20:00.004-04:00

I don't know about you but I love hot wings and hot wings are just not healthy. I finally came up with my version of a healthy take on those delicious little devils and made a complete meal out of it. I use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe and the wing sauce isn't full of butter. It is one of the best I have found that is actually healthy.

Buffalo Chicken Salad

3 Boneless skinless chicken breasts (rinsed and tenderized)

1 bottle Heritage Fare Buffalo Style Wing Sauce

1 16oz. Low fat cottage cheese (small curd)

1 packet ranch dressing mix

Your favorite Salad ingredients

(I kept mine simple with what I had on hand. Romain lettuce,tomatoes,green onions,carrots,mozzarella cheese, and cucumbers)

I used the grill for my chicken but I think it would be great cooked in a skillet too.

Use a small amount of wing sauce to cover the chicken breasts and let them marinate in it for about 30 minutes. Prepare your salad and refrigerate. For the dressing I love to use ranch with my wings but of course it isn't all that healthy either so here is my version.

In a blender or food processor add the cottage cheese and ranch mix. Add about 3 tbs. water and blend until smooth and creamy. Keep refrigerated.

Grill your chicken and then slice it into strips. Toss it in more of the wing sauce and plate it up.
This is so gooooood!

Note: The wing sauce is a bit hot so the more you add the hotter it will be.

Stubb's Giveaway Winner

2009-06-06T09:54:00.004-04:00

We have a Winner Y'all! Are you squirming with anxious delight to know who it is? Okay, I will tell you #188.

Oh, you want a name too eh? You guys are so difficult! LOL Okay, enough messing around. Michelle at Lizards and Lollipops is the winner of this fabulous STUBBS BBQ GIVEAWAY.
Congratulations Michelle! Thank you to all who entered. I will have more giveaways soon.

Thank you to Roberta at Stubb's for offering this great package of sauces. You Rock!

I used Random.Org to pick my number for me.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:188
Timestamp: 2009-06-06 13:52:00 UTC

Last Call~Stubb's Style BBQ Giveaway

2009-06-05T08:21:00.002-04:00

If you haven't entered yet, today is the last call for entries into my Stubb's Style Giveaway.

Entry deadline is at midnight tonight. Good luck Y'all!

Stubb' Style Giveaway Ending Soon

2009-06-05T08:18:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder to scoot on over to my Frying Bacon Naked Blog and enter to win the Stubb's Style giveaway. An entire case of Stubb's grilling and BBQ sauce is up for grabs. Entry deadline ends tonight at Midnight!

Garden Dibble?

2009-06-02T22:07:00.000-04:00

Garden dibble anyone? Do you even know what a garden dibble is? I sure didn't. Not until I won it during Lucy and Shawnee's garden apron swap. This thing is too cool for school and I absolutely love it! It is an old time garden tool used for making holes to plant your seeds and plants in the garden. It is handcrafted by a company out of Nashville ,TN called Wood Elements. Click their name here and check out all of their beautiful handcrafted items in their Etsy shop.

You can even get a dibble for yourself.

As soon I opened the box today I wanted to use it. Luckily I had bought some onion bulbs to plant. My picture shows a little dirt on it. That's because it was put to work getting those onions in the ground. This thing really does the job.

So check out Wood Elements and tell em' that the Cookie Girl sent you.

Whats for Dinner?

2009-06-02T21:29:00.007-04:00

I love Summer time and all the good food that goes along with the season. Fresh vegetables from the garden, grilling, and fresh fruit desserts. My mouth waters just thinking about it. So from time to time I will be posting "What's for dinner", starting tonight.

A great light and healthy Summer time fare is what I choose for meals these days. Keeping it light and healthy during this hot season is my goal. Tonight we had grilled BBQ chicken breast "Stubb's Style" of course, grilled asparagus tossed in olive oil and sea salt, and a healthy squash casserole. Would you like my squash casserole recipe? Well here you go!

Healthy Squash Casserole

6 -7 crook neck squash

1/2 medium sweet onion-chopped

1/2 cup Olive Oil Mayonnaise

1 egg slightly beaten

1 cup Low fat Mozzarella

3 Tbs. I can't believe it's not butter spray

Pepper & Salt to taste

Wash and slice squash and place in a microwave safe dish with lid. Add a little water to the dish.Salt and pepper the squash generously. Microwave on high for 10 minutes or until tender.

In a large bowl, combine the chopped sweet onion, mayonnaise,egg,mozzarella,and butter spray. Blend well. Drain and add the squash and mix gently.

Using the same casserole dish, spray with non stick spray and add the squash mixture.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn on broiler and place under broiler until lightly browned on top.

***You can add a cracker crumb topping if you like. It just keeps it a little healthier without it.***

So tell me, What's for dinner at your house?

A Humdinger of a Cookie (This ones for you Suzi)

2009-05-30T10:05:00.000-04:00

It's may not officially be Summer yet but It is definitely close around here. I know some of you are already having 100 degree weather. Whew!

Who wants to heat their kitchen in HOT HOT weather? Not me! So today I am offering up a Humdinger of a cookie that is No-Bake. Now this is a bit of a Holiday thing but who cares? When you are craving a cookie in 100 degree weather, this one will fit the bill.

So whip up a batch and get outta that kitchen y'all. It's Summer Time!

PS. I will be adding more no bake cookies for the Summer.

Krispie Skillet Cookie Photo by Linda Larsen

Humdingers

(Also known as Krispie Skillet Cookies)

1 stick butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

8 oz. chopped dates

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

1 tsp vanilla

1 box confectioners sugar

Melt butter, add sugar,dates,nuts and salt. Cook for 8 minutes over medium heat. (Don't over cook or they will be glazed) Remove from heat and add rice krispies and vanilla. Mix well with wooden spoon. When cool enough to touch roll into 1 inch balls and then roll in confectioners sugar.

Tada! A Quick No Bake Treat! Enjoy!

Summer BBQ and Stubbs Giveaway

2009-05-29T12:52:00.000-04:00

Alright all you loyal followers of mine. My second blog is offficially up and running and will be full of fun posts,reviews and giveaways each week. I have my very first one today.

Check it out here at Frying Bacon Naked.

Stubb's BBQ is offering up a whole case of sauces for the prize. That's alotta grilling this Summer. YUMMO!

I hope to see you all there.

xoxo

The Cookie Girl

Summer BBQ Stubbs Style and Giveaway

2009-05-29T11:27:00.008-04:00

Alright Y'all ! Just what you've been waiting for. My first review and giveaway and man it's a good one.

Have you ever heard of Stubb's BBQ? Well let me tell ya. Stubb's makes some of the best rubs, marinade and BBQ sauce around. I have had the privilege of trying the Moppin' sauce (not to be confused with barbecue sauce) and the flavor it adds to your grilled meats is simply mouth watering.

Stubb's words,"A zesty blend of vinegar and spices that sharpens up your favorite marinade or basting sauce.

Instructions: Use as a Bar-B-Q baste during the first ten minutes on the grill to add flavor and prevent dryness.

My words,"It will have your mouth screamin' for more!"

For those of you dieting or simply watching your weight, Stubb's products are perfect for you. They only use the finest all natural ingredients and are low in sugar and calories. Trust me here, they definitely did not compromise the flavor one bit.

A little bit on how C.B.Stubbfield feels about barbecue in his own words..."I found nowhere did they have the kind of barbecue I could cook. I guess [what was lacking] was spirit and love and happiness and smiles. When I smell barbecue . . . I want to smell something that makes me feel better than I already feel."

To sum it up "Stubb's knows Barbecue"!

Now for the giveaway!

Stubb's not only makes great products, they are nice enough to share it with you folks who haven't tried it. They are so graciously giving a CASE of mixed sauces away to the winner. Yep...you heard me right, a CASE of 6 bottles! You will not only get their fabulous Moppin' sauce, but they are including their Original Barbecue sauce and Marinade too. Hot Dog! This is enough sauce to be grilling and BBQing all Summer long. You'll be the most famous neighbor out there!

So here is what you have to do to enter...

1. Visit Stubb's BBQ site and tell me what you would like to try this Summer for grilling. (1 entry)

For extra entries do this...

Join the I love Stubbs Club on the Stubbs BBQ site. Come back and let me know you did this (5 entries)

Follow this blog and leave a comment that you are doing so. ( 5 entries)

Follow Me on Twitter. thecookiegirl Come back and leave me a message that you did this. (5 extra entries)

Post this giveaway on your blog and leave me a link here. (5 extra entries)

A total of 21 possible entries.

Deadline for entries is Friday, June 5th at midnight. A winner will be chosen by Random.org

Good Luck to all you BBQ lover's and Happy Grilling this Summer!

Off with a BANG!

2009-05-28T10:11:00.002-04:00

I am officially ready to start this new blog off with a bang. I am so excited about how Frying Bacon Naked will help other fellow "foodies" and their businesses as well as bring a lot of fun to my readers.

I will be doing product reviews and giveaways each week to bring my readers new and exciting products that they may not know about.

If you are a Foodie and have a food or kitchen product that you would like to be featured, please feel free to contact me. There will be advertising benefits and plenty of exposure on both Cookie Girl Creations and Frying Bacon Naked.

I would love to here from you!

The Apron Goddesses: D-Lux 57 Apron Giveaway-Choose Your Apron Ladies!

2009-05-26T09:35:00.000-04:00

TAG has teamed up with D-Lux 57 for another fab apron giveaway. Check it out here for a chance to win.

The Apron Goddesses: D-Lux 57 Apron Giveaway-Choose Your Apron Ladies!

Remembering and Honoring

2009-05-25T11:13:00.000-04:00

As we are blessed to enjoy this day with our families and our friends let us remember those who so bravely gave their lives so that we may have this freedom and safety that so many do not know.

Today, I am honoring these great men and woman who fought to keep our country free. I am honoring those who have died, those who survived, and those who are still fighting and protecting.

To every American Soldier I say this... I am blessed to be a free American citizen. The pride for my country runs deep and I am forever grateful to each and every brave soldier for this.

Not only today but everyday, I will pray for you, for your families, for your safety.

Thank you for giving so unselfishly of yourselves for my freedom.

May God bless you.

Refashion Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-05-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

Another adorable dress by Grosgrain. Check out her blog for a chance to win this Refashion Frock.

Grosgrain: Blueberry Pie Refashion Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

What about Strawberries

2009-05-19T17:27:00.000-04:00

I woke up extremely early (for me) yesterday, 6:30 to be exact. Rolled out of bed and straight into my husbands diesel work truck. Chloe' and I decided to spend the day at my Mom's while Mr. Cookie worked. Chloe' loves to play with her cousins and I really enjoy the time with my Mom.
We took pictures around her house of different things. I was happy to show off my Camera skills or lack there of. LOL I think she enjoyed it. She was running around finding fun things to place together for me to photograph. We got a kick out of this one. Now before you judge, and wonder why the toilet is outside in the field, I have to say that it was removed from the bathroom and replaced with a new shiny one. We just happen to move it around and get a funny picture of it before it was hauled off.
Mom made a funny, and said she was "Going Green" LOL

We then moved to prettier things like these yummy Tennessee Strawberries. TennGa berries to be exact. They are grown on the Tennessee Georgia line in none other than a town called Tenga.
After all the photo fun I sat out on the patio cutting the berries up to make Strawberry Jam. It was such a gloriously beautiful day for this. The breeze blowing and warm sun on my face really relaxed me.
We were making jam ,cooking, dinner, and dessert at the same time. Surprisingly it all went smoothly with 6 kids running around. :)
We had fried chicken, pinto beans, Mexican cornbread and tea for dinner. And for dessert.....Cream cheese Pound Cake with fresh macerated strawberries and freshly made whip cream.

Of course I took a picture! What kind of questions is that? LOL

I'll even give you the recipe, cause I'm nice like that. It is the one my Grandmother makes all the time. Hope you like it.
So that was my Marvelous Monday. How was yours?

(This recipe can be baked in loaf pans as well. It will not hurt the results)

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

3 sticks butter softened

3 cups sugar

1-8 oz. pkg cream cheese

2 tsp. vanilla

6 eggs

2 3/4 cups AP Flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease and flour bundt pan

Combine flour,salt and soda in bowl and whisk together until well sifted.

In separate mixing bowl combine all other ingredients and blend well. Raise mixer speed to medium high and mix for about 4 minutes until really fluffy.
Return to slow speed and add flour mixture a little at a time until well blended.

Pour into pan and bake for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Use a knife to loosen edges and remove from pan. Cool on serving plate or wire rack.

Top each serving with fresh berries and whip cream.

Coffee Cake Recipe Throw Down and Contest Entry

2009-05-17T02:28:00.000-04:00

I am so psyched about this awesome giveaway Maman and Gourmand is sponsoring. It really brings out the foodie in me. :) So much, that I entered the Recipe Throw down for extra entries.
Carole Walter has even offered a cookbook for the giveaway. The cover itslef makes me want it.
Check out her site here. Carole Walter

Here is my recipe and picture for the entry. Confession....this is the first coffee cake I have ever made. The recipe is pretty good but I am sure I can do better next time I just have to tweak it a little more. Nonetheless, try it out and let me know what you think. Wish me luck on the entry too. WooHoo!

Rise and Shine Coffee Cake Mini's

3/4 cup butter (softened)

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups sour cream

3 cups AP flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Filling

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour mini bunt pans

Combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in large mixer bowl.

Beat until fluffy.

Combine flour,salt,soda, and baking powder in separate bowl

and whisk together.

Add flour and sour cream alternately into butter mixture until blended.

Combine filling mixture in small bowl.

Add a small amount of filling mixture into bottom of mini pans, then add batter half way full in each. Top with more filling and more batter.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Yields 8-10 mini coffee cakes.

Visit Maman and Gourmand for a chance to enter too!

Amazing Mother's Day Blowout Giveaway!

2009-05-17T02:23:00.000-04:00

If you haven't been here and entered this giveaway, you must do it soon! Oh yeah, when you enter and leave a comment at Maman and Gourmand, please add my blog name to it and I will get an extra entry too.

Ranting + Old Fashion Tea Cakes

2009-05-16T11:41:00.000-04:00

First things first, I have to rant a bit because I am so upset I can hardly see straight. My laptop CRASHED again! What in the world is going on. This is the second time this has happened. I really don't think that the Computer-Tech that worked on it last time was very techy.? Is that a word? So I gave up and ordered a new one. It really has to get here soon because I really can't handle being stationary at our desktop computer. I must be mobile!!!!

Anyway....enough of that. Let's get to what really matters. Cookies! Right? Right!

I am pulling out an Oldie but Goodie from my family recipe collection. It was my Nannies recipe (I must be missing her more than usual. I've been talking about her a lot lately.) This vintage picture brings back memories of me and my Mom baking cookies together too.

These cookies are called Old Fashion Tea Cakes but really are more like a sugar cookie. Different than most of my cookies, this one doesn't use butter but shortening instead. They are the most requested cookie that I make and seem to be the most addictive. I love dipping mine in coffee and can make myself sick on them.

Now it's your turn to try this simple recipe and share it with your family. Maybe it will become one of those family recipes that will be handed down just like ours did.

Old Fashion Tea Cakes

3 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup shortening

*Enough Self Rising flour to make a stiff dough (About 4 1/2 cups)

1 cup AP flour for dredging

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine sugar,eggs,vanilla,and shortening in large mixing bowl. Mix until well blended and fluffy. Add flour slowly until a stiff dough is achieved (not dry). Separate dough into 4 or 5 dough balls. Keep cover until ready to use.

Dredge or flour counter top or surface used for rolling dough. take one ball of dough and roll out to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutter and place on greased or parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes. (I like mine soft, you can be the judge on how you like yours)

Cool on wire rack and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy with the family!

Grosgrain: Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! Custom Sized!

2009-05-14T10:08:00.000-04:00

If you love cute and flirty sun dresses then you need to check out this giveaway!
Adorable, don't you think?

Grosgrain: Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! Custom Sized!

Cookies for Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T10:17:00.000-04:00

I wish each and every Mother out there in Bloggy land a very Happy and Blessed Mother's Day. Enjoy you day with you children, family and friends. If your Mom is still with you, cherish that and give her the biggest hugs and kisses you can. She is precious!

If you really want to sweeten her up then make her some of these wonderful cookies too.

Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks butter,softened
3 eggs
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups peanut butter morsels

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients and set aside.
Blend sugar and butter until fluffy.
Add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla and mix well.
On low speed add dry mixture to wet until barely mixed.
Add morsels and blend well.
Drop by Tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
Use sugar dipped or wet fork to make crisscross pattern.
Bake 18-20 minutes. Cool on flat surface.

Enjoy!

My Vintage Things

2009-05-07T19:40:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend I stayed with my Mom for some much needed Mother Daughter time. We had the most fun looking through all of her treasures that my Great Grandmother "Nannie" had left her.

The best part was when she gave me some of it. :)

Nannie had made a lot of quilt tops from her old dress material and anything she had around. It was neat to see some of the fabric that even came from my Mom's childhood dresses. Mom had most of them quilted and yeppers...I got one!
I was so ecstatic when she started pulling out all of the vintage fabrics and rick rack that Nannie had. Mom gave me a lot of it to make aprons with and who knows, maybe even a quilt.
See the little dutch dolls? That is a dish towel. They just don't make things like this anymore. I sure wish they did.

All of this fabric you see is at least 60 years old. Some of it is old flour sacks.

How cool is that rick rack?! I have never seen any like it. Nannie crocheted all of the time. That is just one of the little heart doilies that she made.

I washed and ironed all of the aprons that Nannie had made and worn years ago. I have many favorites and took pictures of them.
I can't get over the fabrics and her combinations of color and patterns.
Check out this one apron. It is convertible from apron to bonnet. That is just cool!

I just wanted to share a part of my family and my vintage things with you today.
Hope you enjoy seeing it all. Cookies are coming up next!

Apron Surprises

2009-05-06T21:57:00.000-04:00

I have been out of town since Sunday and just did not have the time to do any posting.
I also had a few surprises when I returned home last night. There was a package waiting on me from my friend Suzi at Savy Suzi. Wanna know what it was? APRONS!!!!
One for me and one for the little Cookie Girl in training.
I just love them. She did a fabulous job on them both. Aren't they just adorable?Well...I really need some better pictures of us standing up but this one turned out cute. They are reversible but I only got pictures of one side. Visit her blog and she has pics of both sides. The cherries and polka dots with the ric rac are right up my alley.

Thank you Suzi from the bottom of my batter bowl...I mean heart!:)
I will cherish them forever and use them A LOT!

XOXO
The Cookie Girl & CGIT

Now I must get these pics to Julia at Apron Goddesses before she has my head! :)

Jewelry Winner

2009-05-06T09:20:00.000-04:00

Good morning lovelies! Just a quick post to thank each and every one of you who entered my Mother's Day giveaway. Thanks so much for following and commenting.

I hope that you will stick around with me and enjoy all the cookies and sweet treats that we have here.The WINNER is...........Melissa Swisher of My Caffeinated Life.

Congratulations!!!!

New Beginnings

2009-04-29T11:31:00.000-04:00

This blog is under construction and will be full of fun post very soon.
In the meantime, check me out at Cookie Girl Creations.

I lived to tell about it

2009-04-28T23:33:00.000-04:00

My post titled Death by Chocolate was a bit scary for me since I wasn't sure if I would live through the experience to tell about it. Well here I am World and I have to say It was the most heavenly food experience ever. LOL Okay, maybe not the most but pretty darn close. If you haven't tried the brownies yet you really should. You will thank me or hate me later. Either way you will love the brownies.

Taking ingredients from this....

To this.....

To this.....mmmmm can't you just taste them?

There must be chocolate in Heaven!

XOXO

The Cookie Girl

Remember this? Mother's Day Giveaway

2009-04-28T15:20:00.000-04:00

I have been pondering on what to do for a giveaway for Mother's day and today I finally figured it out. Yay for me!

Do you remember my Anniversary/Martha Stewart Post? You can view it here if you missed it. Eight Amazing Years.

That is the day we went to the Atlanta Aquarium to see Martha Stewart and that is also the day that she complimented my necklaces. (Cheeezy grin goin' on here) I could kick myself for not saying anymore than thank you. I just spazzed! Anyway....I have decided to give away one of the necklace and earring ensembles that she complimented. It is called Promenade and is from the Premier Designs Jewelry line that I sell.
The beads are beautiful genuine shells,tigers eye,and faux turquoise. It is one of my favorites and one lucky reader is going to win it.Here is what you do for a entry....

1. Leave me a comment on this post (1 entry)

2. Follow me and leave a separate comment here telling me you did so (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about the giveaway and post your link here (2 extra entries)

4. Follow me on twitter thecookiegirl and tweet about the giveaway (3 extra entries)

That is 7 total chances you can earn.

This will make a beautiful Mother's Day gift or you can just keep it for yourself if you win. ( I would have a hard time parting with it) :)

So off you go...Earn those chances! I will announce the winner on Wednesday, May 6th.

Good Luck to you all!

The Apron Goddesses: Romantic Flowers and Ruffles Apron Giveaway-Aprons by Annie G

2009-04-28T08:22:00.000-04:00

Check out this adorable apron by Annie G.

Visit The apron Goddesses for a chance to win.
The Apron Goddesses: Romantic Flowers and Ruffles Apron Giveaway-Aprons by Annie G

Educate Me Please

2009-04-27T11:17:00.000-04:00

I had a great weekend working in the yard and planting flowers to add some color to my patio and front porch. I even bought my vegetable plants for the garden. I can't wait to get them in the ground and growing.
As I was pondering what to do with some of my rose bushes I looked at one in amazement. See, I planted 3 different roses about 4 years ago and the one that has done the best is my Silver Bell rose. It looks like a light lavender color and is the stem rose that you see in arrangements. Well, to my surprise there is also a red rose growing with my Silver Bell that I did not plant. ????? When I say it is growing with my Silver Bell, I mean that it is literally growing from the same root system. See the pictures!It really had me scratching my head. I am not an avid rose grower and I do not know much about gardening so this really had my mind going nuts.
So, I thought I would ask my Bloggy friends what caused this. Can someone out there educate me on this please?
The roses are really pretty so I am not complaining that they are there. I will just enjoy them. I just want to know what happened. :)

Death by Chocolate

2009-04-22T10:15:00.000-04:00

I have been slacking on my recipe duties lately. My apologies to all the Cookie Club Fans.
I hope that this recipe will make up for it a little bit. Also, if you want to join in on the Cookie Club fun we would love to have you. Just grab the Cookie Club Banner on my side bar.

If I have to go I want to go by way of chocolate and what better than with Quadruple Chocolate Brownies. That's right, not 1, not 2, not even 3 chocolates but 4. My head is spinning already.
So who wants to go with me now? I thought so! Alright, here you go. The recipe for Death by Chocolate.

Quadruple Chocolate Brownies

1 1/2 c. AP Flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 c. granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla flavor
3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 c. milk chocolate chips
3/4 c. white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13 x 9 in. pan with Baker's joy.
In a small bowl, combine flour and salt. in a large microwave safe bowl, melt butter and chopped chocolate. Stir in sugar,eggs, and vanilla extract and mix well.
Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in chips. Spread into prepared pan.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean.
Cool Completely on rack before cutting.

Indulge Indulge Indulge!

P.S. I am making these today so if I don't post anything later you will know why! :)

recipe from Wilton's Brownie Fun

Thank You.....

2009-04-21T14:38:00.000-04:00

I have entered so many giveaways lately and just figured my luck stunk because I never win anything. Until last week that is. I actually won 2 in one week. I was so ecstatic. The first WIN was from Ryan Ashley Scott at Optimistic Cynicism. If you have not been to her blog you really should check her out. She cracks me up with her great sense of humor and of course her Optimism.
Here is what I won from her. I am so ready to pamper myself. The vanilla sugar lotion and shampoo smells divine. I can't wait to paint my toes with the OPI polish and keep all tucked away from little hands in the PINK bag that I love. (It is pink, why wouldn't I love it?)
The Boa....well I have plans for it too. :)

She also sent me a great little keepsake picture of herself. heehee
It will be going in a special place on my fridge.
Thanks a bunch RAS.

My second WIN came from Jennifer at Caroline Alexander. WoW! A Lotta Loot here! :)

The cute patchwork bag was filled with the wonderful fragrance of lavender sachets, pretty bows and a gorgeous ribbon and peony belt with a vintage pin center. There was some cherry lip balm, a book mark and another belt in red and white as well as an adorable head band.
Everything is going to be enjoyed by me and my darling little daughter.
You guys should really check out her blog and shop for some whimsical gifts.
Thank you Jennifer for a fab giveaway!

The Apron Goddesses: IceMilk Aprons-Monogrammed Apron Gift Pack Giveaway

2009-04-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

Ice Milk Aprons Giveaway at The Apron Goddesses.
The Apron Goddesses: IceMilk Aprons-Monogrammed Apron Gift Pack Giveaway
Beautifully made aprons with monograms that would make this the perfect heirloom treasure for your family. The gift pack includes not only an beautiful apron but the monogram style of your choice,25 recipe cards and a unique heirloom kit.
Check it out!

FREE food Giveaway!

2009-04-18T12:30:00.000-04:00

How many of you would love to have a year of free meals? I know I would.
Well, Joan of Joan of all trades is having this amazing giveaway. You really should check it out. Meals have been designed by two chefs that created A Flash in the Pan.
It will blow you away.

Have fun entering!

Bumps In The Road: My FIRST EVER blog giveaway!#c7299179853858659219#c7299179853858659219

2009-04-14T10:18:00.000-04:00

Check out the loot in this giveaway! It's a good one.

Bumps In The Road: My FIRST EVER blog giveaway!#c7299179853858659219#c7299179853858659219

Easter Sunday and Cake

2009-04-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

Whew! What a whirlwind of a weekend. It went by so fast. Easter Sunday was so great. First Church, then food, then fishing and then more food. I just love good food don't you?

Here are a few pics from yesterday and yes the Hawaiian Sunset Cake was a hit. Don't you just want a bite?

I wish everyone a Fabulously Delicious Monday!

xoxo

The Cookie Girl

Living it up Easter Style

2009-04-11T19:30:00.000-04:00

I told you I'd be back! And boy do I have a lot to show you. I have been knee deep in Easter this week. Making candy, finding a dress, taking pictures and putting baskets together. This doesn't even include my regular domestic duties. :)

I decided, on very short notice to make a large Easter basket to raffle off at our Easter dinner at church Sunday. I wanted to do something to raise extra money for VBS this year and this just kinda' popped into my head. So I gathered all of my supplies and got to work making yummy candies and gourmet apples and stuff. I even included my Peanut Butter Balls from last weeks Cookie Club recipe. I also made peanut butter fudge with a white chocolate cream cheese fudge on top as well as Coconut Lemon Crunch Candy and Dark Chocolate bunny pops with coconut cream filling. (just like a mounds) YUMMMMMMMMY! Here are some pics for you to drool over. heeheee

I have also been searching for an Easter dress for ME. Finally I found one and it actually matches Chloe's dress. I am so happy we are doing the Mommy Daughter match this year. I don't have pics of mine yet but I did take some fabulous shots of Chloe' in her dress. Wanna see?

Here you go Bloggy friends....my beautiful girl!

I still have so much more to accomplish tonight and now I'm wondering why in the world I am on this darn computer again.
So as I begin baking a Hawaiian Sunset Cake for our family dinner tomorrow I will be thinking of each of you. Then I will iron ALL of our clothes for church in the morning, put Chloe' to bed,take a shower and then watch a movie with Mr. Cookie before crashing into bed.

Wish me luck and I promise to post my Hawaiian Sunset Cake pictures too.

Lots of Cookie Love and a Happy Easter to you all.

I'll Be Back!

2009-04-09T09:47:00.000-04:00

Don't fret my Cookie Lover's. I have a million and one things to do today and hopefully I will accomplish all of them so I can get back to what really matters......posting about cookies!

Upcoming things to look for from the Cookie Girl....

1. A Giveaway

2. giving bloggy love to my peeps

3.cookie recipes

Once I find my way out of this sea of WORK I will start on it all. Does anyone have a life preserver they can toss me?

xoxo

The Cookie Girl

The Apron Goddesses: The Handmaiden's Cottage "Sophisticated Lady" Giveaway

2009-04-06T09:14:00.000-04:00

Hey Apron Lover's! Check out this giveaway at my friend Julia's Blog. Such a cute apron.

The Apron Goddesses: The Handmaiden's Cottage "Sophisticated Lady" Giveaway

Double Doozie Friday

2009-04-03T12:13:00.000-04:00

Whew, what a week. Sunshine then rain, then sunshine, then rain rain rain. Warm, cold,hot,cold. What is it going to be like tomorrow? I'm not complaining really, I just want warm sunny days for a while. There is one good thing about rainy days. It's a great day to bake and get creative in the kitchen.
I know I fell behind on a cookie recipe for this week so I am going to give you a double whammy. I just got a new cookbook last night and I am so excited to try and share the recipes. WARNING!!! They are mostly chocolate recipes. Mmmmmmm!

Here is one recipe not from the new book. They are a no bake cookie. Just think Chunky Reese's Cup and you will be in heaven. Great for Easter too!

♥Peanut Butter Balls ♥

You will need a jelly roll pan and parchment paper for this one.

2 1/3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar,spooned in and leveled

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

3/4 cups chunky peanut butter

10 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tsp. vegetable oil

2 cups salted peanuts, finely chopped

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Add the butter and peanut butter and work with a wooden spoon or your hands until thoroughly combined. Portion the dough into 60 1-inch balls and place them on parchment lined jelly roll pans.

2. Combine the chocolate and vegetable oil in a medium heat-proof bowl. Place the bowl over medium sauce pan filled with simmering water and slowly melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally.

When the chocolate is melted, remove it from the heat, but keep the bowl over the pot of water.

Place about 1/2 cup of the chopped peanuts in a low flat dish such as a pie plate.

3. Using a chocolate dipping fork or two pronged fork, dip one at a time in the melted chocolate. Tap the fork gently on the side of the bowl to help drain chocolate. The coating should be thin.

Roll the dipped cookie in the chopped peanuts and coat evenly. Remove the cookie with the fork and place it back on the jelly roll pan. Repeat.

* It is easier to roll the cookies in a small amount of peanuts. If the chocolate begins to get hard, place the pan back on the stove and heat until it thins to the proper consistency.

Let air dry on the cookie sheets.

Store in an airtight container, layered between sheets of wax paper and refrigerate up to three weeks. They may also be frozen.

The second recipe is from my new book. Are you ready for this?

♥Brownie Cookie Bites♥

1- 1/4 cups AP flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 c. butter, cut into pieces

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 cup. granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Directions:

In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder,and salt. In medium microwave safe bowl , melt butter and chocolate. Stir in sugar. Add eggs,and vanilla, mix well. Add flour mixture; mix until blended. Stir in nuts. Drop rounded teaspoons on an un-greased cookie sheet. (use bakers joy or parchment paper just to be safe)

Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool Completely on wire rack.

YummY!!

I hope you enjoy the recipes this week! If you have any questions about ingredients or supplies just email me here The Cookie Girl

Virtual Great American Bake Sale

2009-03-28T09:46:00.000-04:00

WooHoo! I love recipes, and baking the recipes and I love Bake Sales. So when I heard that Stolen Moments Cooking was partnering with Share our Strength to host a virtual version of their Great American Bake Sale I was so excited to get involved.

Share our Strength is committed to stamping out hunger and making sure that no child goes hungry.

I would love to see all of my Bloggy friends get involved too. If you would like to know more, just click the button above.

Join us in our efforts to make sure that no child goes hungry!

Friendship Award

2009-03-27T23:18:00.000-04:00

I just received this award from Suzi at Savy Suzi. She is a sweetheart and I love being able to share recipes with her. Her family loves cookies as much as me.

It is the Friendship Award which means:"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I don't really have 8 bloggers I know all that well, so I would love to share this special, fun award with:

1. Tammy at White Iris Designs

2. Panz The Muse at A Divas Hammer

3. Ryan Ashley Scott at Optimistic Cynicism

Baby Stellan

2009-03-25T09:25:00.000-04:00

Please pray for Baby Stellan, his family, and Doctors. Click the picture above for more information on Stellan's condition and progress.

FINALLY!!! Cookie Club Recipe #7

2009-03-24T09:23:00.000-04:00

Boy do I feel like a new Woman! I am so glad that Monster Migraine took a hike so I can get on with my Fabulous life and get y'all a cookie recipe for your sweet tooth.
This week I have decided to do cut out sugar cookies. Now, for the record I am an impatient individual that does not really care to wait on cut out cookies. If I can find a quicker way I will. But these cookies are just too cute not to make so I will keep my patience in tact and do my very best to get through it. :)

Have you ever wondered how to make those beautiful cookies in different shapes with the icing on top? Well I am going to tell you. Below is the recipe for the cookies as well as the icing (I do not like flavorless icing so I will add flavoring to mine) I will be doing mine in Spring and Easter shapes. I can't wait to see what you come up with too. Let me know when you make them and post pictures.

Buttery Sugar Cookie Cutouts

4 cups sifted AP flour,plus more for dusting

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract (or flavor of choice)

Directions:

Sift flour,baking powder and salt into a bowl.

Put butter and sugar into a bowl and mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Divide dough in half; flatten each half into a disk. Wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Let one disk of dough stand at room temperature just until soft enough to roll, about 10 minutes. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to just under 1/4 inch thick, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking. Cut out cookies with a 4-to-5 inch cookie cutter, transferring shapes to baking pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat with scraps and other disk of dough.

Chill cookies in freezer until very firm, about 15 minutes.

Bake, switching positions of sheets and rotating half way through, until edges turn golden, 15-18 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

Royal Icing Recipe

1 lb. confectioners sugar

5 Tblsp. Meringue Powder

Scant 1/2 cup water

Flavoring (optional)

Icing coloring for decorating

sanding sugar (optional)

Combine all ingredients into bowl of electric mixer using paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until smooth, about 7 minutes. If icing is too thick add more water. If it is too thin beat icing 2-3 minutes longer or add more sugar a tablespoon at a time.

Use immediately or store in an airtight container up to 2 days. (Icing hardens quickly when exposed to air) Beat well with rubber spatula before using.

To decorate cookies:

You will want to use an piping bag fitted with a coupler and #2 tip. Fill bag within 3 inches of top.

Outline top of cookie with icing and let it stand for 5-10 minutes to set. Once set, use a #5 tip and pipe zigzags across the entire surface of the cookie. (this is called Flooding)

Spread the icing evenly over the cookie with an offset spatula.

You can then sprinkle with sanding sugar or add alternate colors of polka dots. Get creative!

Let the icing set over night uncovered. Just remember.....if you want to add more icing to the top in different shapes, you must let the base color dry overnight.

Once cookies have been decorated and icing is dry, store between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container.

I know this recipe is a little more intense than other's I have posted. If you have any questions please let me know. Leave me you email so I can contact you.

Have Fun!!! Get the kids involved too.

Recipe from Martha Stewart's Cookies

Running and Running and Running Behind

2009-03-22T22:44:00.000-04:00

Hello! Cookie Lover's,

I am usually on top of my game a little more but I am running waaaaaay behind. Could it be my Migraine that has lasted for 3 days? hmmmmm...maybe. Anyway...as I struggle to look at the screen long enough to type, I just had to let all of my SWEET followers know that my Cookie Club Recipe will be posted tomorrow instead of today.

I love all of your comments and support.

I am off to bed for now.

Lot's of Love and Cookie Crumbs,

The Cookie Girl

2009-03-21T15:15:00.000-04:00

Look who's giving away a - Magellan Maestro 4350 GPS. Momma's March Mania

Happy St. Patricks's Day!

2009-03-17T14:35:00.000-04:00

Here are my Key Lime bars for a bit o' green today. I hope y'all are enjoying this beautiful Spring day. No pinching please. Did anyone try these this yet? My crust was a little hard when cutting but tastes great. Even better with the coconut flavored whipped cream. It helps tone down all of the tartness.
Anyway....Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cookie Club Recipe #6

2009-03-15T20:01:00.000-04:00

Are y'all ready for another scrumptious recipe this week? I can't wait to make this one. It is for Key lime bars, similar to the lemon bars but in my book so much better.
They aren't exactly a cookie but who cares? They taste amazing with all of their tangy sweet goodness. Enjoy every bite and hide a few for later. If you don't the little leprechaun's of the house will devour them.

♥Key Lime Bars♥

Crust:

1 cup plus 2 1/2 Tbs. graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup sugar

5 Tbs. butter (melted)

Filling:

3 large egg yolks

1 1/2 tsp. grated lime zest

1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk

2/3 cup KEY LIME JUICE

( GREEN food coloring if you want to be festive for St. Patrick's Day)

Garnish:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 sugar

2 tsp coconut flavoring (this makes the best flavor of homemade whipped topping)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crust: Stir together graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a small bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of an 8 in square glass baking dish. Bake until dry and golden brown about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Make filling: Put egg yolks and lime zest in the bowl of electric mixer. Mix on high speed until very thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add condensed milk in a slow steady stream. Raise speed to high; mix until thick, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add lime juice; mix until combined.

Spread filling evenly over crust using a spatula. Bake, rotating halfway through, until filling is just set, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or over night.

Make the garnish: Cut bars into 2 inch squares. Pour cream into clean bowl of mixer with whisk attachment. Add sugar and flavoring. Mix on medium high speed until stiff peaks form. Garnish bars as you serve them with whipped topping and a lime slice.

Un-garnished bars can be stored in an airtight container in fridge for 3 days.

Mommas March Mania

2009-03-14T21:56:00.000-04:00

Mommas March Mania is getting under way and begins tomorrow March 15th-22nd.

There will be giveaways each day. Head on over and check it out.

Breakfast Anyone?

2009-03-14T11:07:00.000-04:00

Alright my Sweet Cookie's! Brace yourself for this post. It is very graphic and indulgent to say the least. You may want to guard the little people from seeing any of the photos. It could really cause some hyperactivity that can't be stopped. Are you ready?............................

Do you enjoy a good filling breakfast with Lot's of family atmosphere? I know I do! Well I have the perfect place for you to take your family and enjoy every BITE.

The Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Not to be confused with any other pancake house in the surrounding area. This establishment has been around longer than I have. They opened their doors in the 70's and have been going strong ever since.

I have been eating breakfast there for 23+ years and it is one of the places that I never leave town without getting my fix at.

Wanna see what I'm talking about? This is my all time favorite breakfast.

Continental French Toast, Country Ham, Grape Juice and Coffee.

Here are some of my family's favorite's too. You may need a napkin for the drooling you will experience.

Country Ham, Biscuits,Gravy and Hash brows. YummmmmmmmmY! Chocolate Chip Pancakes!
Ham and Cheese Omelet with Pancakes! And there is so much more like their pecan waffles that my Aunt Tam LOVE'S!

I can't say enough about The Log Cabin Pancake House. The waitresses there are all so sweet and have the best southern hospitality. Some have been there since the doors opened. I remember them all from when I was a child. It is so nice to see them each time I visit. Just like Family.

I talked with the Dining Manager, Yvonne King who has been there since the beginning. She quickly told me that you pronounce the Y in her name. So it would be more like this Y-vonne. She is always there and is usually the one seating the customers....100's of them. I had my picture made with her for my keepsake book and this blog. She is such a sweetheart.

If any of you take a trip to the Smokey Mountains I promise you won't be disappointed when you dine with my extended family at the Log Cabin Pancake House. You will be hooked and in love just like me. Oh yeah, you might want to know this. If you are coming into Pigeon Forge from Gatlinburg, it is the first Pancake house on the right. If you are headed towards Gatlinburg it will be the last pancake house on the left. There address is 4235 Parkway Pigeon Forge, Tn 37863.

I hope Y'all make a special trip and Enjoy!!!!

♥ WINNER of my SWEET Giveaway ♥

2009-03-14T00:31:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone who stopped in and left me sweet comments, those who are following me and added me to your pages. You all are GREAT! I hope to get around to visiting you soon.
♥ ♥ You are all Sweet Cookies.♥ ♥

I used RANDOM.ORG to generate a number for me and the winner is #174.

Congratulations!!!!

The Care Taker at The Life of a PTSD's Spouse

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:174
Timestamp: 2009-03-14 04:55:09 UTC

I have no idea how to freeze the pages at add them to my blog so I just copied and pasted the info. :)

Great Giveaways

2009-03-12T09:29:00.000-04:00

Here are some great giveaways going on....check them out and GOOD LUCK!

Apron Giveaway HERE!

Surprise Giveaway HERE! at The Life of a PTSD's Spouse

Scrabble Pendant Giveaway HERE!

Happy Daisy is Giving away a $25 gift certificate to Two Chicks HERE!

Cookie Club Recipe #5

2009-03-11T22:52:00.000-04:00

Whew!!!! I have been whirling around like a Texas tornado this week. I got back in town from the Smokey Mountains and it took me a little bit to get my ducks in a row. I will post about that little trip soon. For now I have the 5th cookie recipe for my devoted cookie club fans.

Before I give you the recipe I must tell you....You have to use the filling or the cookies will not be good. Trust ME! :)

Caramel Cream Sandwich Cookies

Cookies:

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 egg yolk

2 cups AP flour

Frosting:

2 Tblsp. butter (do not use margarine)

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

4-5 tsp milk

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine brown sugar and 1 cup of butter; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk; blend well. Add flour; mix well. If necessary, cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 15 minutes for easier handling.

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool 15 minutes or until completely cooled.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat until light golden brown, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat.

Stir in remaining ingredients adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency; blend until smooth.

Spread 1 teaspoon of frosting between 2 cooled cookies. Repeat.

Makes about 30 sandwich cookies.

Snap, Crackle ,Pop...My Cookies

2009-03-03T19:13:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share my Ranger Krispie cookies with you. For those who have made them this week, I would love to know how they turned out. Those who have not ....Ah hmm..Tam :)

You are missing out.

You can get the recipe here. Join the cookie club and stop in for recipes every week.

Without further ado and from beginning to end, I give you my Cookies.

Ingredients.....Can you figure out what is missing in the picture?

Mixing it up.

to make the dough...

Onto the cookie sheet they go

Into the oven and soon we'll know....

The Snap Crackle Pop of my Cookies.

PS....Sorry for the lame rhyming. The cookies are so simple and so yummy. Not a lot of fuss to make them. Can you tell I am enjoying my camera? LOL I really need help using it.

MORE GREAT GIVEAWAYS

2009-03-03T13:42:00.000-05:00

Check out these great giveaway's too!

$100 Target Gift Card Giveaway HERE.

Check out Fishful Thinking too! What a great site.

You Can Make This Giveaway!

Gardening in Texas Giveaway

Hip Hostess Giveaway

So Sweet Your Teeth Will Hurt GIVEAWAY!

2009-03-03T12:16:00.000-05:00

This week I am doing the "Single Parent" thing because my dear Mr. Cookie is out of town working. My sweet daughter and I miss him very much as we are not use to him being gone but there is a happy ending to this week because we are going to pick him up Saturday. He is in my second home, The Great Smokey Mountains. I have spent more time there than any other place in the States. As a little girl we would go at least two times a year. I would always travel with my Grandparents and my Aunt Tam, who is more like a sister. Once I got into my teenage years and above it was just me and Aunt Tam mostly. Now that I am married we do not go as much but this weekend I am packing our bags and taking off to the wonderful Smokey Mountains.

Now for the part you are going to love.....A GIVEAWAY so SWEET your TEETH will HURT! :)

There is a little shop called the Country Candy Kitchen in Pigeon Forge. It has been open since 1982 and I go there every single time we visit. You can smell the sweetness before you even open the door. They make the sweetest old fashion candies and salt water country taffy. They still use the copper pots and wooden spoons to make the taffy and the taffy pulling machine that is so fun to watch. They call it the magic machine. It was built in 1918 and is used everyday.

Since I will be making a stop into the candy shop I thought I would share some super sweet candies with you. I will be giving away a great combination of old country candies including salt water country taffy. Yum Yum! I will also be including homemade jams and jellies and a heart warmer filled with lavender and peppermint.

Now...here is what you need to do to enter.

1. Leave me a comment on your favorite old fashion candy and taffy flavor.

(1 entry)

2. Follow me and leave me a comment that you are doing so.

If you already follow me, this counts too.

(2 more entries)

3. Post this giveaway on your blog and link back to me.

(3 more entries)

4. Post my cookie club banner on your blog

(4 more entries)

That is a total of 10 entries you can get. WooHoo!

I will be posting a photo of all these things once I purchase them.

The contest will end on Friday, March 13th.

Good Luck to you all.

Cookie Club Recipe #4~ Ranger Krispies

2009-02-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

You and your kids will ♥ love ♥ this cookie recipe. It is very kid friendly and great for them to make with you. Use your imagination and do variations with the recipe. I know I will. :)

Ranger Krispies

1 cup sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1/3 cup shortening

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups AP flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 cups Rice Krispies

Variation: Add 1 cup miniature chocolate chips to batter with cereal.

1. Heat oven 375 degrees. Use Baker's joy on cookie sheets or parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, butter, and shortening; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs and blend well.

2. Combine Flour,salt, soda, and baking powder in separate bowl and blend.

Add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in cereal and chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on baking sheet.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet and cool completely on wire racks.

High Altitude (above 3,500 ft.) Decrease baking powder and baking soda to 1/2 tsp each and bake as directed above.

2009-02-25T23:23:00.000-05:00

Check out this SWEEEEET cupcake giveaway over at Sweet Tea Diaries. She has a super cute blog too. Go say Hi and enter to win.

I will be posting another giveaway from the Cookie Girl soon. Stay tuned to see what all is up for grabs. The Easter Bunny is on his way!

Say Cheeeeeze!

2009-02-24T21:35:00.000-05:00

As I begin this post I just want to thank each and every one of my followers and bloggy friends for all the comment love you give me each week. You are great!

Now down to some exciting news.....I FINALLY got a new camera. Yippeeeee!!!! It is an Olympus Evolt 510. Yep, that's right! A Big Girl Camera as my daughter would say. I am really excited about it and have a lot to learn about using it. Any helpers out there?
I love photography and can't wait to get some really great photos around town of the historic attractions as well as my baking creations. I have even thought about redoing my kitchen and using picture of cookies that I have made to decorate. What do you think?

Of course I could not do this post without giving you my first picture from my new camera.

Tada!

This is a picture of my Lime Sugar Cookies from this weeks recipe. Looks yummy doesn't it.
Well....They are. If you haven't tried them yet, you really should. They have a tangy lime flavor and a sweetness from the confectioners sugar. I am very proud of my picture too. :)

So I am off to find more recipes, more things to photograph, and a little R & R.

Enjoy!
XOXO

Cookie Club Recipe #4

2009-02-21T12:51:00.000-05:00

I am so happy for the weekend. I have been sick all week with a virus and finally feel really great today. I did not make the cookies for this week but Suzi over a Savy Suzi made them and they were a big hit with her kids.
Spring is really around the corner and I am so ready for it. Old man winter can surely pack up and go away. So this week I have a really yummy Spring recipe for cookies that will get you in the mood for chirping birds and flower blooms. It is from my Martha Stewart cookie book but with a Cookie Girl twist.

I hope you all enjoy them...

Lime Sugar Cookies (Lime Flowers)

2 cups AP flour, plus more for work surface

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp coarse salt

1 cup sugar

2 Tbs. finely grated lime zest

1 1/2 sticks butter (room temp.)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

( I will use key lime juice)

Confectioners sugar for dusting

Directions: Sift together flour,baking powder,and salt into a bowl.

Put granulated sugar and lime zest in a separate bowl and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Add butter, and mix until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in vanilla and lime juice. Reduce speed to low, and gradually mix in flower mixture.

On a lightly floured work surface, halve the dough. Flatten each half into a 10 inch disk, and wrap each in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.

Working with one half at a time, roll out dough on parchment paper to 1/8 inch thick. Cut shapes with a 3 inch flower cookie cutter or cookie cutter of choice. Place 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining disk.

Wrap scraps in plastic. Freeze 30 minutes, re-roll and cut.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake until cookies are set, 12-13 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cool on wire rack. Before serving, sift confectioners sugar over cookies.

Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.

Cookie Girl Notes: I will be using key lime juice. I am going to forgo the freezing step and use my cookie press instead. I will chill the cookies before I bake them.

Eight Amazing Years

2009-02-19T19:08:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, February 17th marked eight wonderful years of marriage to Mr. Cookie. I just don't know where the time has gone. It was just like yesterday I was walking down the aisle to Unchained Melodies with butterflies in my tummy waiting to become the wife of the most amazing man you will ever meet.

It is funny how I reminisce and remember every little detail of our wedding day, right down to the moment he carried me through the threshold of our first home. I still miss that little place and all the memories that were made there.

So for our anniversary this year I wanted to go to the Georgia Aquarium and see the fish....sort of :) I really wanted to meet Martha Stewart who was going to be there signing her newest cookbooks. Being the wonderful man that my husband is he happily agreed to take me.

We got up early Tuesday morning and had mmmm...well, breakfast. We then left the house house and headed to the great ATL. An hour and half later we arrive at the aquarium and make our grand entrance toward the Ocean Ballroom where Martha was waiting to see ME. Okay, Okay...maybe not me personally but she was there. We actually waited and waited and waited for about two hours in line. Luckily we got there early enough to get a good place in line. There were hundreds of people behind us. The picture only captures a small amount of them.

We were even entertained by the beautiful Beluga whales the whole time. We were all served milk and cookies during the wait which for me was like Heaven! Helloooooo..I am the Cookie Girl.Yep...this is me! 100% Guilty with Dark Chocolate on my fingers and a smile on my face!

After the long wait....did I mention my AMAZING husband stood in line with me? Yes he did Girls....I just love him sooooooo much. There were reporters there with cameras taking pictures of the crowd. Once they saw Mr. Cookie and I they completely forgot everyone else and we were swamped with flashing lights and microphones......well, that is only half true. :) They did take our picture and ask us some questions about our Anniversary. Who knows if they made it into the paper. I would say Martha's picture took a little more precedence over ours.

Finally.....the doors opened and the line was moving very quickly. I was so excited but really contained myself for Mr. Cookies sake. Once we got close enough to the door they told us that we could not get a personal picture with Martha but we could take pictures from the line. Bummer!

I did have an idea though. There were two of us so Mr. Cookie could snap a picture while I was keeping Martha occupied with my Cookie Book. Woo Hooooo! I am so freakin' smart! LOL
Not really....but he was able to get a quick shot of us. Darn I should have looked at the camera.
Yes...those are real fish behind her in the aquarium!
Martha was very nice and soft spoken. She really is a beautiful lady. She complimented on my necklaces saying they were very pretty. I replied quietly with a thank you. I told her it was nice to have met her and she of course being the polite lady she is ,said it was nice to meet me as well.
I wish that we could have had tea or something after the signing but I just could not wait on her all day. :)

After all of this Mr. Cookie and I took a tour of the Aquarium gazing at all of the beautiful fish and sea otters. We got a couple of pictures of each other at this water fall that uses reclaimed rain water. Pretty Cool I thought.

The aquarium wasn't as big as I had thought. We finished up and headed out about the same time Martha did. Nope, no romantic dinner for us either. I had been feeling a little dizzy and nauseated all morning and on the way home it escalated into a full blown stomach virus. Yep...I did the most horrible thing ever....upchuck in the car. Ewwwww! Finally we made it home and my wonderful Mr. Cookie has been nursing me back to health ever since. I spared you the Gorey details...Trust me! You will thank me for that part.
All in all, it was a great anniversary DAY!

Thanks Honey for all you do. You are the LOVE OF MY LIFE!

I love you!

Cookie Club Recipe #3

2009-02-14T14:15:00.000-05:00

Wow! I can't believe we are already on recipe #3. These are going so fast. I hope you are enjoying them as much as me. I am a little ahead of myself this week and decided to go ahead and post this recipe instead of waiting until tomorrow.

If you would like to join the Cookie of the week club, just grab the banner in this post. Simply copy it to your a file on your computer in jpeg format. Then add it to your blogs side bar linking it to my blog. Voila! Easy peasy and your are ready to join in on the cookie fun.

(P.S. when I figure out how to create a real banner I will post that too.)

This recipe is full of flavorful chunks. Yummy! Some ingredients can be optional or substituted as well. I will be using parchment paper on my pans this week.

White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

3/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 c. shortening

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 c. AP flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 c. coconut (optional)

CG Note:Should probably add extra oats in place of coconut if you choose to leave it out.

1/2 c. old fashioned oats

1/2 c. Nuts (macadamia,pecans,or walnuts)

12 oz. white chocolate chunks

Combine sugars and shortening and beat til fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and blend well. Combine flour,soda,salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add to wet mixture and blend slightly. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop onto a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool and place on wire rack. (depending on the size of cookie scoop you use, the bake time will vary. I make mine a little large and bake for 10-12 minutes)

Have fun with these and let me know what you did to make them special!

I would love to see pics on your blogs too.

Cocoa Mallow Cookies~Valentine's Style

2009-02-13T14:13:00.000-05:00

Here are my Cocoa Mallow cookies from the Cookie of the week club. I added a few extra pictures to give you an idea of what they will look like before and when you bake them.

Some of you had trouble with the cookies sticking. I had mentioned using parchment paper to prevent that problem. I was of course out and decided to use bakers joy. It worked like a dream.

Once they are baked they come out looking like this. Not too fluffy not too flat.

I let them cool about a minute before transferring them to a cooling rack. They cooled completely before I added the filling. I decided to do them Valentine style and added a little pick icing color to the cream. YummmY!

The only thing I did different than the regular recipe is that I had to use 1/2 and 1/2 and water instead of milk because I was out of that too. (Really need to make a trip to the market)

I used pink icing color in the filling and Bakers Joy on my cookie sheets instead of greasing them.

They turned out beautifully! Enjoy!

What more do you want?

2009-02-10T11:56:00.000-05:00

Look up! See the poll at the top of this page? I have added this to find out from you what would help make my blog better. I would love to hear from you, so please take the poll and add comments to this post. Let me know what more you want from the Cookie Girl Blog. I really want this to be a great place everyone will enjoy visiting.

Let the suggestions begin!

My Honest Scrap

2009-02-10T09:57:00.000-05:00

Woohoo! I just received an Honest Scrap award from my friend Suzi at Savy Suzi.

With this I get to tell you something, actually 10 somethings about me.

Here is what I must do.

List 10 honest things about yourself.

Pass this on to 7 bloggers whom you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

So here goes....

I pass this on to these Blogger Friends....

Panz at A Divas Hammer

Tammy at White Iris Designs

Gourmet Mom on the Go

Groovy Baby Blog

MammaTalk

Optimistic Cynicism

From a desperate housewife

1. I sing. Yep! I belt out songs without any warning to those around me. If I feel one coming on..I just can't help myself (get it) I just can't help myself...I love you and nobody else. LOL Much to their surprise, It is actually in tune. I sing in the choir at church and have been known to sing at weddings too. (yes I was requested) :)

2. I sell Premier Designs Jewelry. I never thought this would be something that I would ever do but I actually love it. Even though I enjoy singing in front of others I have a hard time speaking in large groups. I think it is the "All eyes on me" thing that really freaks me out. Ever since I started selling premier and holding home shows, I have really relaxed and get a kick out of talking to people. ( just picture them in their underwear) just kidding!

3. I am obsessed with CLEAN. Germaphobe if you will. For instance,if someone walks by me coughing or sneezing I actually hold my breath until I get 100 ft away from them. I know, I know! It is crazy and makes no sense but I can't help myself. Yes my house is germ free! LOL Not really, but in my mind it is the cleanest house around. Does this actually fall under the OCD category?

4. I love to bake and cook. No surprise I know this. But what you don't know is that I don't like cooking unless it is for a large crowd of people or a party. I would rather eat out during the week. Go figure. Baking is a little different though..I will bake anytime. Just love it and it is a "Very good thing" LOL

5. I am very uncomfortable with my size. I am tall 5'7" and 160 lbs. I feel like an amazon woman. I lost 30 lbs and got to 130 about a year and a half and it was great but then I gained it all back plus 5 lbs. Turning 30 didn't help either. No pity party here, I promise. I know it is in my control to lose it again. It's just these darn cookies and stuff. LOL

6. I love the fine things in life. Gourmet foods, extravagant tropical getaways, all the pampering a girl can handle, clothes and shoes. There is a BUT coming....here it is! But I don't indulge in such things as much as I would like. I think that getting wiser (not older) and having a family really changes ones priorities. It sure did mine. I actually find myself being more frugal by the minute.

7. I am the baby in my family but have first-born traits and habits. I think being 10 years apart from my sister has a lot to do with that. I grew quickly being around adults more than kids. It has made me a more serious person but thanks to my husband I have really changed.

8. I love animals. Dogs and horses mostly. All the horse lovers out there will understand this next part and not think I am weird....I love the smell of a horses face. The velvet soft feel of there nose is so sweet to me. I love nuzzling them. Dogs are wonderful animals and very loyal. My favorites are Rottweilers and Boxers. I have had 3 Rottweilers and now have a boxer named Izzy. They are great with children and enjoy loving and being loved on.

9. I have an extensive collection of cookbooks. Over 200. I have an uncontrollable desire to buy them when I go to a book store.

10. #9 leads to this one. I love Barnes and Noble and Starbucks. The smell of all the new books and coffee combined sends my creative senses into overdrive. I can hang out there from open til close. Wanna join me?

I hope you have enjoyed reading a little more about me.

Not Me Monday

2009-02-09T20:19:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday!

I did NOT wake up extremely late this morning to find my three year old staring at me NOT asking for her breakfast. I did NOT stay in my PJ's until 3:00pm and I did not watch Day's of Our Lives instead of being a responsible adult and clean my house. NOT ME!

I did NOT wait three days to wash my NOT filthy hair because I did NOT have anywhere to be that was relatively important enough to look good for.

I did NOT forget my friends birthday because she is so very special and a GREAT friend like me would NOT do such a thing. I did NOT express mail her card to get there on time either.

And last but NOT least. I did NOT eat the entire key lime pie I made on Sunday!

This is what I did NOT do! How about you? Want to join in on the NOT ME fun?
Check out MckMama's blog for more great NOT me reads.

The Sweet Jelly Bean: Giveaway: Messenger Bag from Satchel Studio

2009-02-08T12:15:00.000-05:00

Check out what Sweet Jelly Bean is giving away!
The Sweet Jelly Bean: Giveaway: Messenger Bag from Satchel Studio

Cookie Club Recipe #2

2009-02-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!!

Use Parchment Paper on cookie sheets to prevent sticking

CoCoa Mallow Cookies

This one is for you Tam. Noooooo coconut! :) Just yummy chocolate and gooey Delicious marshmallow filling. Enjoy!!!!

Cookies

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 c. milk

2 c. AP Flour

1/2 c. cocoa

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Directions: Grease cookie sheets. Combine sugar and butter and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, stir in 1c. milk. In a separate bowl sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to sugar mixture and blend well. Drop batter by teaspoonful onto cookie sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool 1 minute and place on wire racks until cooled completely.

Filling

2 cups powdered sugar

1 c. marshmallow cream

1.4 c. butter (softened)

1/4 c. shortening

3-4 tsp. milk

1 tsp vanilla

Mix together filling ingredients. Spread small amount on flat side of cookie, place another cookie on top and press lightly. Store cookies in a tightly sealed container.

Martha and the ATL

2009-02-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. Mr. Cookie is taking me to Atlanta in a couple of weeks to the new Georgia Aquarium. I have not been yet and can't wait to see all of the cool things it has to offer. But wait! Did I say I was excited? Yep, I did. And the aquarium isn't the only reason. I get to see Martha Stewart too! WooHoo. She is going to be there for a book signing. So me and Mr. Cookie will be trucking it down there with my Martha Stewart Cookie Books in hand.
Yippeeee! I hope to get a picture with her. Maybe since IT IS my anniversary that day she will be nice and let me. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I will definitely be posting about it with all the details and hopefully pictures! There might even be a giveaway involved.....hmmmmm

The Secret is in the Sauce: February Giveaway: Bedroom Bliss

2009-02-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

Check out this Bedroom Bliss giveaway. It rocks!!! I entered because I could really use some new sheets. LOL
The Secret is in the Sauce: February Giveaway: Bedroom Bliss