Pretzel cookies ~ Secret Recipe Club

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Denise

It’s that time again…..Secret Recipe Club time! I’m not sure if you noticed or not….but I didn’t participate for the month of November. With all the craziness of hubby starting up his own business in October, I opted out since my blogging had to take a back seat for a bit. I’m so happy to be back this month though! And you’re gonna love me for the recipe I selected. Don’t they look amazing? I hope you aren’t Christmas Cookied out yet because these are really worth making!

This month I was assigned Hugs & Cookies XOXO. Talk about the perfect blog assignment for December and Christmas baking. Danielle’s blog is loaded down with every imaginable treat possible. If you’re looking for something new, this is the place to look. So many sugary creations I would have never dreamt possible. Most of her blog is focused on these treats, but I was able to gather she has two cute boys for her kitchen helpers. 🙂

I had fun looking through Danielle’s recipes, and actually wrote down two to try. It really was hard to narrow it down though, but since I love the mix of salty pretzels with chocolate I knew I had to try these pretzel cookies. I made a few slight changes like using all regular sugar instead of adding any brown, and adding extra pretzels and chocolate chips (the more the better in my book!). I also used white chocolate chips instead of regular because as you know I love the combo of white chocolate and pretzels. Doubling the recipe was also a must because I knew I’d want more than 24 cookies. 🙂

4.0 from 1 reviews
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{Secret Recipe Club} Pretzel cookies
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert, Cookies, Christmas cookies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 48 cookies
 
Oh these pretzel cookies are SO addicting!! You'll love them!
Ingredients
  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 12 oz pkg of white chocolate chips
  • 1½ cups broken pretzels or more if desired
  • sea salt to sprinkle on top
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, vanilla, salt, baking soda. Mix in flour on a low speed. Add in pretzels and chocolate chips at the end.
  3. Original recipe calls for refrigerating 1 hour, but I didn't need to do that. Just refrigerate between batches.
  4. Scoop rounded tablespoons full of dough and place on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly and sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
  5. Bake 12 -15 mins and place cookie sheet on cooling rack.
  6. ** Original recipe called for regular chocolate chips, but I prefer white chocolate with the taste of pretzels. Use whatever you prefer. Also original recipe called for half of all the amounts listed here, but I doubled the recipe since I desired more than 24 cookies. I used all organic white sugar instead of using the brown sugar. I also tripled the amount of pretzels instead of just doubling. I wanted extra pretzels and extra chips.

 

If you enjoyed this post, won’t you consider sharing it with others? Handy share and “Facebook recommend” buttons are below. It really makes my day when you pass things along! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or subscribe by Email in the sidebar. Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

 


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One of my favorite things!!

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Denise

A few years ago while visiting my grandparents in their cabin in the North Carolina mountains, I discovered the joy of using an electric kettle. I thought it would be a frivilous purchase since you can heat water in the microwave or on the stovetop, but I enjoyed using it while I was there and it certainly made my life easier….it heats water QUICK!! I figured it was close to $100, so it definitely wasn’t in my budget.

Fast foward to a couple years ago, while my family and I were at Target and I found this Aroma electric kettle priced at $29.99 and on sale for $25. Score!! My hubby and girls bought it for me for a Valentine’s Day gift…..and I fell in love. This electric kettle took my tea addiction to new heights! Seriously what was only a 2 cup a day addiction has now blown into a full-fledge ALL DAY LONG addiction. And once I acquired a travel mug, I don’t leave home without my hot tea. Even my friends are suprised when I show up to the park on hot summer days with my hot tea in hand! 😉 This past summer I met my twin….another fellow blogger actually does the same thing with her hot tea!

My favorite Bigelow teas are French Vanilla and Spiced Chai. I like drinking french vanilla in the morning and spiced chai in the afternoon. I also like Stash Mango Passionfruit herbal tea. The prices are much cheaper than the store when I purchase them through Amazon in bulk and with free shipping. Any of these would make a nice gift if you have a tea drinker in your life.

Are you a hot tea drinker? If so, what are your favorite teas?

* Disclosure ~ The opinions expressed in this post are my own, and I was not compensated for them by the above mentioned companies. However I do make a small referral fee if you purchase through the Amazon links. Thanks for supporting the site!

If you enjoyed this post, won’t you consider sharing it with others? Handy share and “Facebook recommend” buttons are below. It really makes my day when you pass things along! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or subscribe by Email in the sidebar. Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

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{Christmas Cookie Favorites} Tollhouse brittle

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Denise

About 10 years ago when my oldest daughter was only 2 1/2 we drove up to northern Georgia and spent Christmas in a beautiful cabin with my inlaws. It was a fabulous week, and the view from the cabin windows was amazing!! Trees with bare branches as far as the eye could see. If you know me very well, you know I have a thing for trees. It’s how I size up any yard when looking at houses, the more trees the better.

Funny story about that trip ~ the drive up to the cabins was very narrow, windy and steep. I had recently developed a fear of heights, so once we got settled into the cabin I didn’t venture down the mountain until it was time to leave. Of course it wasn’t really a hardship for me since at the time I was a working mom….back in my teaching days. I was beat from running, running, running, had already bought and wrapped all my gifts and was ready to kick back and relax! The resort area had plenty to walk around and see….which we did, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. 😉

That was the Christmas my mother-in-law made the cream cheese danish that we love and make every year now. It was also the year that I found out all the recipes my mother-in-law brought down to my house to share with me were really my sister-in-law’s recipes. It’s a long standing joke between them that every good recipe comes from my sister-in-law Kathy, and that my mother-in-law copies them down and passes them off as her own.

So I got this tollhouse cookie brittle recipe from my mother-in-law…on a recipe card in her handwriting, but it’s really by way of my sis-in-law. I’m happy she’s given me the go ahead to share it with you! You’re gonna love this recipe as much as I do!! It’s quick, easy and one of our favorites! It only uses 6-7 ingredients, and if you’re out of eggs…you’re NOT out of luck!

It’s a quick one to make and take to gatherings. Just last week I made a batch of Tollhouse Brittle and a batch of Lemon Squares. I made 2 cookie platters to take to 2 different events….with both on each. Brilliant! How easy is that?

Do you have any funny family recipe stories? What about Christmas memories that stand out to you?


5.0 from 1 reviews
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{Christmas Cookie Favorites} Tollhouse brittle
Author: 
Recipe type: Christmas cookie, Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 60
 
This is the BEST and easiest chocolate chip cookie bar out there. It's fast and doesn't require the use of eggs! If you don't have eggs...you can still make this cookie! Easy to adapt for vegans, just sub the butter with coconut oil.
Ingredients
  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 1½ tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 6 oz. chocolate chips (I use a little over 8 oz.)
  • 1½ cups walnuts, chopped (I use food processor)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. In mixer, combine soft butter, vanilla and salt. Add sugar and flour. Press into a cookie sheet (1/2 to 1 inch thickness). It only takes up ¾ of a standard cookie sheet. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown.
  3. Cool on rack for about 15 minutes and then cut into 5 long strips with pizza cutter. Then each strip into 12 short bars. The orginal recipe calls for breaking into random chunks, but this way I get the maximum amount of cookie bars.
  4. For friends with allergies to nuts, I just omit nuts.
  5. For vegans use coconut oil instead of butter.

 

If you enjoyed this post, won’t you consider sharing it with others? Handy share and “Facebook recommend” buttons are below. It really makes my day when you pass things along! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or subscribe by Email in the sidebar. Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

This recipe is linked up with Works for Me Wednesday.

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{Christmas Cookie Favorites} Lemon squares

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Denise

Tis’ the season for baking……as a family that strives to keep junk food and sugary treats out of the house, Christmas time is a time I really let loose and bake our favorite goodies. By Christmas Eve I’ve usually baked at least 12 types of cookies (more or less) to give to friends and to take to different gatherings. I also manage to keep a few of each stashed away for our Christmas Eve family party. It’s so much fun, and a tradition we all look forward to every year. I always make sure to bake everyone’s top 3 cookie choices. I’ll be sharing a few of favorites over the next two weeks.

These lemon squares are one of my absolute favorites!! I was thrilled the first time I made them to find out how EASY they are to make (quick & easy!!) I found out last year that my father-in-law loves them too. It was the same conversation where I found out he prefers receiving homemade Christmas treats instead of the impersonal gift cards my hubby had been insisting we buy him each year. Yay!! I was able to get 3 favorites listed down that I can now make him every year. I’m pretty sure I only duplicate one of the ones my sister-in-law makes….her famous tollhouse brittle I’ll be sharing soon.

I’m pretty sure no one can resist these slightly tart but sweet lemon treats. Everyone loves lemon, right? I thought so too, but just found out my mother-in-law doesn’t. She must be the only one….anyone else not love lemon? It’s because of her that I experimented with orange zest cookies. They turned out pretty good. I got this lemon square recipe from one of my first online message board hang outs back in 2002.

If you homeschool, you’ve got to check out Five in a Row. If you love children books and you have elementary aged children, you must check them out!! Some of our BEST homeschool memories have been created using this inexpensive, yet creative homeschool curriculum. It’s so great that many non-homeschool families use it on the side to enrich their children’s lives.

Back to the lemon squares…..she titled them “Granny’s Lemon Squares” and the only change I make is that I double the recipe and use a 9 x 13 pan. I’m sharing that version with you because an 8 x 8 pan is really just a tease. I like to cut them small because they pack a powerful punch, and ensures everyone gets a taste. Plus a 9 x 13 pan gives you enough to take to 2 holiday events or 1 event and some for home. I already took them to the play my older girls were in last week (A Christmas Carol…my oldest was the ghost of Christmas past), and the end of the year party for our American Girl Club. They went fast, and I was asked if they were on my blog. 🙂

What are your favorite Christmas cookies? What’s on your “Must Make” list every year?

5.0 from 2 reviews
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{Christmas Cookie Favorites} Lemon squares
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert, Christmas cookies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 60
 
These amazing bites of lemon bliss are hit at every party....you'll never have any to take home! They also make a perfect gift.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 sticks butter, melted
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 6 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour and powdered sugar. Melt butter and mix with flour and sugar. Press into a buttered 9 x 13 pan (I use pyrex). Bake for 18 - 20 minutes.
  2. Beat eggs, sugar, flour and lemon juice. Pour over baked crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
  3. Cool and sprinkle with more powdered sugar. When completely cool cut into small squares and serve. Makes about 60 small squares.

If you enjoyed this post, won’t you consider sharing it with others? Handy share and “Facebook recommend” buttons are below. It really makes my day when you pass things along! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or subscribe by Email in the sidebar. Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

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Cajun shrimp pasta & the 12 days of holiday bloggers

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Denise

Back in September I was asked by the Shrimp Council to be a part of the 12 days of holiday bloggers. They asked for a favorite holiday memory and a shrimp recipe to share. Today I’m excited to be the featured blogger over at the Eat Shrimp facebook page!! If you click the window number 5, you’ll see me. So cool!!

Hopefully you’ve been too busy to notice that I slipped off the bloggy radar a bit lately….oops! But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy in the kitchen. After Thanksgiving, the leftovers were put to good use and I enjoyed several turkey cranberry walnut salads and our favorite turkey stuffing sandwich. My mother-in-law even made a turkey pot pie! All of the breading did not agree with me…I’m not used to so much white flour, and I was happy to get back to salads, and took several walks in the fresh air. We enjoyed many evenings with temperatures perfect in the low to mid 60’s, but unfortunately it’s been unseasonably warm this year. I’m so excited we are dipping into the 50’s tonight! I’m ready for some more snuggle weather!!

Yesterday was hubby’s birthday and he likes to keep it low key. Really….are there any men out there that like announcing their birthdays? Or that they’re another year older? If so, please tell me. I feel like he almost cringes when the girls say, “Happy Birthday, Daddy!” But I do think it was his best birthday in a long time now that he’s in business for himself. We’ve gotten a few clients now, and things are really picking up. It’s exciting for both of us! We’re really looking forward to what the new year brings!

I created this shrimp recipe over 5 or 6 years ago. Hubby and I both like spicy, and this is now a favorite of our girls as well. Hope it’s a nice change of pace for you with all these holiday and dessert posts out in cyberspace. I definitely have several of our favorite treats and recipes to share with you this month….so make sure to keep popping in. The halls are decked here, and my older girls are in their first play tomorrow night, “A Christmas Carol” put on by our homeschool group. I’m excited to see many weeks of hard work take shape, and they are too!


4.5 from 2 reviews
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Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Author: 
Recipe type: Dinner, Seafood, Shrimp, Pasta, Spicy
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4-6
 
An easy spicy sprimp dish the whole family loves!
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • cup scallions, diced
  • tsp thyme
  • tsp basil
  • tsp black pepper
  • tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp worchestershire sauce
  • tsp hot sauce
  • cup half and half, heavy cream or whole milk
  • 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound linguine or angel hair pasta, cooked
Instructions
  1. In a skillet, saute scallions, thyme, basil, pepper and cayenne pepper in olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add in minced garlic, chicken stock, sugar, worchestershire sauce, hot sauce and mix thoroughly over low to medium heat. Stir in cream cheese and cream or milk, blend well and continue cooking over low heat till it thickens (approx. 30 minutes).
  2. While sauce is cooking, saute shrimp in some butter until almost cooked (pink, but not totally opaque). Add shrimp to sauce and cook for another few minutes. Add in the cooked pasta and parmesan cheese.

 

If you enjoyed this post, won’t you consider sharing it with others? Handy share and “Facebook recommend” buttons are below. It really makes my day when you pass things along! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or subscribe by Email in the sidebar. Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

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