Rainbow Swirl Cookies

Recently on Pinterest I found this idea for rainbow cookies and this idea for homemade cookie mixes. I mashed the two ideas together and VIOLA! Boy, do I love Pinterest!

 Rainbow Swirl Cookies
3 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 eggs
1 t. almond extract
food coloring

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, soda, baking powder, and salt.

Stir in butter, eggs, and almond extract.

 Divide dough into 5 bowls. Add desired food colorings and mix.

 Roll each color into a log and lay them tightly side by side.

 Carefully roll into a log about 18" long (the length really doesn't matter too much, as long as it's all rolled together.)

 Cut into 24-30 pieces. You can do more if you want smaller cookies.

Roll each piece into a log about 6" long. 

 Starting at the middle, coil each piece into a spiral on an ungreased cookie sheet.

 Bake at 350 F for 8-10 minutes.

 My little girl chose the goodie today. She was really happy with these cute cookies. I like to cut them in quarters so they look like little rainbows.

 Enjoy!

Toffee Nut Butterballs

A few weeks ago I bought 12 cookbooks! They were on sale, don't judge me! :) Anyway, I keep finding awesome recipes that I must try. These little cookies are a blend of toffee, pecans, and shortbread. Delightful!

Toffee Nut Butterballs

1 c. butter, softened (not unsalted)
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 small box instant vanilla pudding (lemon or butterscotch would be great as well)
1 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. toffee bits
1/2 c. milk chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl combine butter, sugar, pudding, and vanilla.

 Add remaining ingredients and mix until it forms a dough.

 Drop rounded tablespoons on an ungreased cookie sheet.

 Bake 325 F for 12-15 minutes.

These are a fun and delicious little shortbread cookie. Enjoy!

Carrot Bread

I have a 5 lb. bag of carrots sitting on my kitchen counter, so I've been putting them to good use. This recipe is basically the same as Zucchini Bread, but I used carrots instead. Delicious! 

Carrot Bread
3 eggs
1 c. oil
1 T. vanilla
2 c. finely grated carrots
2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
3 c. flour

Mix wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients and mix until blended. Divide batter into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 325 F for 40-60 minutes.

This was a big hit at my house. Enjoy!

Caramel Toffee Bars

Um...I've done something bad. I made these yesterday for a birthday gift and I'm already addicted to them. They are gooey and buttery and delicious. Good luck not eating the whole batch!

Caramel Toffee Bars

2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted
1 (11-12 oz.) bag Rolos (or more if you like!)
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. coconut (or nuts, or white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips...whatever)
1/2 c. toffee bits
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into a greased 9x13" pan.

 Top with rolos, chocolate chips, coconut, and toffee.

 Pour condensed milk evenly over the top.

 Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes (more or less).

 Cool completely, then cut into bars.

Oh my goodness, just looking at these pictures makes me want another one. Enjoy!

Nutella Toffee Crunch Bars

Yesterday I was in the mood to make something yummy, so I started going through ingredients that I had in the pantry. Nutella+toffee bits+marshmallow cream+pretzels+chewy chocolate bar=DELICIOUS!!!! I can't even describe how amazing these are!Nutella Toffee Crunch Bars

6 T. butter, melted

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. Nutella

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

3/4 c. oats

1/2 c. cocoa

1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. chocolate chips

topping: 1/2 c. Nutella, 1/2 c. marshmallow cream, 1/2 c. crushed pretzels, 1/4 c. toffee bits

Combine first six ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Combine the two to make a thick batter.Spread in a greased 9x9" pan.Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes.Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes. Dollop with Nutella and marshmallow cream.Swirl to make it pretty. Heehee.Sprinkle with crushed pretzels and toffee bits.Cool completely in the fridge before cutting into bars.Love love love. I can't stop eating these. Enjoy!

Cookies & Cream Brownies

So yesterday I was looking through my recipe box and I found a recipe for brownies using a cake mix (I think I got it from a neighbor when I was in high school). Anyway, I decided to throw in some Oreos and white chocolate topping and the result was AMAZING!Ingredients are pretty simple:Cookies & Cream Brownies

1 dark chocolate cake mix

1 small box instant pudding, chocolate or vanilla

1 cube (1/2 c.) butter, melted

2 eggs

1/4 c. water

12-13 Oreo cookies, broken

1 c. chocolate chips (white chocolate would be amazing, too!)

2 cubes (4 oz.) white chocolate bark, melted

Combine cake mix, pudding, butter, eggs and water to form a dough. Stir in Oreos and chocolate chips.

Press dough into a greased 9x13" pan.

Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly and drizzle with white chocolate bark.When cooled completely, cut into bars.I just love biting into them and finding an Oreo!I can't wait to try these with mint or peanut butter Oreos. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

I may or may not have (but definitely did) do something terrible. I made these peanut butter cup rice crispy treats and I keep eating them...bad Mikelle! But, they were for a very good purpose. My hubby has been in med school and today was match day: the day we find out where he goes for residency. Turns out he got his first choice!!!!! We are ecstatic. Deliciousness is what happens when we celebrate at our house! :)Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

6 T. butter

7 c. mini marshmallows

1 c. peanut butter

6 c. puffed rice cereal

1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips

2 c. chopped peanut butter cups

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until almost completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.

Stir in puffed rice cereal.Press into a greased 9x13" pan.Melt chocolate chips and drizzle on the top.Top with chopped peanut butter cups.Cool completely and then cut into bars.These are not remotely healthy, but they are most definitely delicious! Enjoy!