Saturday, December 18, 2010

Cranberry Pecan Biscotti & Monster Cookies...

Started the holiday baking finally.  I made Monster Cookies with the boys.  They truly believe that the cookies are for Monsters.  It's too funny!  Next up was Cranberry Pecan Biscotti drizzled with white chocolate.  They are so good I can not wait to make more.  Here's the recipes:

Cranberry Pecan Biscotti
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1cup dried cranberries
  •  3/4 cup crushed pecans
  • White chocolate or almond bark for melting/dipping (optional)
      • For added flavor you can add orange zest, almond extract, cinnamon, &/or nutmeg depending on your tastes.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.   Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place dough onto cookie sheet & form into a 2 inch log.  Bake in oven for 35-40 min, or until it is golden brown.  Remove from oven & cool for 10 min.  Using a large kitchen knife, slice diagonally into 1 inch slices.  Arrange slices onto their sides & place back in oven for 10-20 min (or until desired dryness is achieved) at 275 degrees.  Melt chocolate or almond bark & drizzle (or dip) biscotti.  Enjoy!

Monster Cookies
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups peanut butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 teaspoon corn syrup
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 4-1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup M&Ms
  • 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Chill dough for an hour in fridge (this is optional, I find it less messy when cold).  Roll into 2" balls & place on cookie sheet 3 inches apart.  Flatten slightly with a fork.  Bake in oven for 13 min or until golden brown.  

Next baking project... Christmas cut-outs (ugh) & something with peanut butter because we have at least 4 jars in the cabinet. 

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sick Day...

The boys have been sick with a stomach bug this past week.  Today I had both of them home from school.  Most of our day looked something like this...






It's been a day full of lil boy movies & cleaning/disinfecting.  Hopefully they will be on the mend soon & no one else gets sick.  :)