Orange Cranberry Crinkle Cookies

A classic Christmas cookie, chocolate crinkles, gets a face lift! 

This recipe uses a sugar cookie base in addition to cranberries and orange zest to make a refreshing cookie that will be a welcomed addition to any Christmas gathering. 

Orange Cranberry Crinkle Cookies – Adapted from Lauren’s Latest

Ingredients

• 1/2 C butter, softened
• 3/4 C sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 T orange juice
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. baking soda
• 1 1/2 C white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 C chopped fresh cranberries
• Powdered sugar

Directions

Begin by creaming together 1/2 C butter with 3/4 C sugar.  Add in 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract and 1 egg, along with the zest of one orange and 1 T orange juice. 

Mix together 1 1/2 C white whole wheat flour, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. baking powder and 1/8 tsp. baking soda.

Add the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture 1/2 C at a time.  Mix until well incorporated. 

Then, stir in 1/2 C chopped cranberries. 

Fill a small bowl with about 1/4 C powdered sugar. 

Using a cookie scoop, scoop 1 T dough into the powdered sugar and roll until the cookie is covered in powdered sugar.  (Refill the powdered sugar as needed)

Place each dough ball onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. 

Bake each cookie sheet at 350 for 9-11 minutes.  Cookies are done when the edges are set. 

Remove from the oven and allow cookies to continue cooking for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week; for longer storage, freeze after baking. 

Enjoy! 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Crunchy Cranberry Chocolate Granola Bars

These bars make a delicious summer treat – great for a road trip or picnic at the park.

They are a crunchy granola bar, but have outstanding flavor. 

Honestly, they were a little crumbly, but hard packing of the granola bars before and during baking helped.  I’d up the oil and honey just a tad to make sure there is enough of a binder for bars.  There are more great tips in the comments of the original recipe too. 

Crunchy Cranberry Chocolate Chip Granola Bars – Adapted from Weelicious

Ingredients

• 4 C Old Fashioned Oats
• 1/4 C whole wheat flour
• 1/3 C brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 T olive oil (I’d go up to 1/4 – 1/3 C)
• 1/2 C honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 C Craisins
• 1/4 C dark chocolate chips

Directions

In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: 4 C oats, 1/4 C whole wheat flour, 1/3 C brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp. salt.  Add in 1/4 C craisins and 1/4 C dark chocolate chips. 

Stir well. 

Drizzle in 1/4 C olive oil, 1/2 C honey and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. 

Stir, stir, stir until all the ingredients are well combined and everything is moist.

Pack the bars into half a sheet cake pan that has been lined with parchment paper (or a silicone baking sheet) and lightly sprayed with olive oil. 

I found the easiest way to pack the granola bars was using a potato masher and a piece of parchment paper. 

Then, bake at 325 for 25-35 minutes until lightly browned. 

I found it helpful to take the bars out after 10ish minutes and pack them back down using the parchment paper and potato masher.  Then, return them to the oven to finish cooking. 

Leave the bars to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then lift the bars up out of the pan onto a cutting board.  Cut the bars using a really sharp knife and/or a pizza cutter while the bars are still slightly warm. 

Makes about 20 bars. 

Store in an airtight container. 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Cranberry Toffee Slice & Bake Cookies

If you are looking for a cookie gift for Christmas, these make a fun gift.  They are a slice and bake cookie, that you can wrap up and give the roll to your friend or neighbor for Christmas. 

They are a delicious cookie, with a fun twist – toffee.

Cranberry Toffee Slice & Bake Cookies – Anne in Wisconsin (via mom)

Ingredients

• 1 C butter
• 3/4 C sugar
• 3/4 C brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 C white whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 C oats (quick cooking preferred)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 C dried cranberries
• 1/2 C dark chocolate chips {be generous here}
• 1/2 C toffee bites

Directions

Cream together 1 C butter along with 3/4 C sugar and 3/4 C brown sugar. 

Add in 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Mix well. 

Stir in 1 1/2 C white whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 C oats along with 1 tsp. baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt. 

Then stir in 1 C craisins, 1/2 C chocolate chips and 1/2 C toffee bites.  Dough will be very stiff, so I recommend using your mixer to do this, or a wooden spoon. 

Divide the dough into fourths.  Shape each 1/4 of dough into rolls.  Wrap in plastic wrap and seal tightly. 

To gift – wrap each dough roll in butcher paper, tie ends with raffia or ribbon, and attach the baking directions below.  You may also wish to include the recipe. 

Freeze the cookie rolls. 

To bake:

1) Remove the roll from the freezer and allow it to sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes.

2) Slice the cookies into 1/2-inch slices and place each slice on a greased cookie sheet. 

3) Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Craisins

Over the past few weeks, I’ve shared with you a handful of Pumpkin recipes – Overnight Pumpkin Pie French Toast Bake, Apple Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Easy Pumpkin Bars with Spiced Whipped Cream, Roasted Vegetable Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, and 25 more pumpkin recipes.  

I hope you are not sick of pumpkin sweet potato recipes yet – there are more to come! 

This recipe is so simple to prepare and really a tasty way to start off your morning. 

I would imagine that you could add graham cracker crumbs to the top of this bowl of oatmeal and it would really taste like pumpkin pie! Or, with sautéed apples.  Yum-o.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Craisins – Adapted from Angel’s Homestead

Ingredients

• 1/2 C milk*
• 1/2 C water
• 1/2 C Old Fashioned Oats
• 2 tsp. maple syrup
• 2 T sweet potato (or pumpkin) puree
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• Pinch of ginger
• 2 T dried cranberries (we used craisins)

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 C milk, 1/2 C water, 1/2 C oats, 2 tsp. maple syrup, 2 T sweet potato puree, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg and a pinch of ginger. 

Turn the burner on to medium-high, and stir the oat mixture constantly until the mixture boils.  Reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes until oats are cooked.  Continue stirring throughout the entire cooking process. 

Pour the oatmeal into a large bowl, and top with 2 T dried craisins. 

Serve immediately. 

Serves 1.

*To make dairy free – simply use an additional 1/2 C water in place of 1/2 C milk.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Chocolate Craisin Popcorn

Want an easy after school snack?  Or, an extra special treat for movie night?  Stop by and see my post at The Happy Housewife to check out this easy & tasty recipe!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad