It's Cookie Time!

Gather 'round you friends of mine. We're Wilderness Girls and it's cookie time, it's cookie time! Anyone else remember that song from Troop: Beverly Hills?? No?? Ok, moving on...
It's the time of year where folks everywhere are baking and buying treats, no guilt allowed. It's Christmastime, after all!! So as if you really need yet another reason to make some more, I suggest baking batches as gifts. Have you gotten all your Christmas shopping done but still want a "little something" for that neighbor, teacher, mail-carrier?? It's not too late! A couple weeks ago, my kiddos and I (but mostly I...) baked and packaged cookies to take to our neighbors. It was a fun activity, the kids had a blast walking the neighborhood to deliver the goods but mostly? The takeaway from it was that it turned out to be such a blessing to us to surprise our friends and remind them we love them. It's something I plan to do every year (You're welcome, friends!) So here's what we made. Maybe it's time for a bake-off of your own!

                   

Chocolate Mint Cookies:

2 sticks butter, slightly softened

1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar

1 egg

2-1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon salt

 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted

 Crushed candy canes

Combine all ingredients except the white chocolate and roll into small rounds. Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees until just done. Let cool then melt white chocolate in microwave for 30 seconds and drizzle over cookies, sprinkling tops with crushed candy canes. Super festive and addicting!! (Do this with store-bought dough for an even easier and faster treat!)

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars:

2 sticks butter, slightly softened

 3 cups flour

2  eggs

 1 tablespoon baking powder

 1 cup rolled oats

1 and 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

 2 1/2 cups peanut butter

Combine all ingredients and press into a 9X13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until edges are just starting to brown, about thirty minutes. Allow to cool COMPLETELY before cutting into squares.

You can package your treats in cookie boxes, tins, baskets, paper bags...the possibilities are endless! Just be sure to stock up on pretty ribbon, waxed paper and cellophane and you'll be all set. Get creative and get crackin'!