Who doesn't know about No Bakes!!

I thought that everyone in the entire world knew about No Bake cookies. Today, as I visit my brother and his wife I learned that she has never ever heard of them, much less try them. So on a very hot July day we made some delicious No Bake cookies. During the period where I was waiting for the first four ingredients to boil I was thinking that almond butter would be fantastic in No Bakes and made a mental note to try that in the future. So if you never had made no bakes you must try them! This recipe is simple and quick and like the name suggests does not require an oven - perfect for the 95 degree temperatures today. We had a lot of fun in the kitchen, can you tell? Isn't their house cute?

Before we got started Nicole decided she needed to praise the god's of oatmeal or do a bicep press...I am not sure which one.

 And we are mixing and mixing....

See that lil fella in the background? He likes peanut butter and he even got a little taste. I caught him mid lick! 

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal



Directions


In a saucepan bring to a boil sugar, cocoa, butter
and milk. Boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal. Drop cookies on wax paper lined cookie sheets and chill until cookies have cooled. Store in the fridge and make certain to lick the spoon!

Almond Cookies

I have loved almond flavoring for as long as I can remember.  Whether it is marzipan or almond pastry I can not get enough.  These little almond cookies are a delicious little treat with a pleasing almond flavor.

 yield about 4 dozen  - bake time 15-20 minutes

1 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract
1 can solo almond cake and pastry filling
2 cups all-purpose flour


Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Beat in almond extract and almond filling until blended.  Stir in flour with a wooden spoon until well blended.  Cover and refrigerate at least four hours until dough is no longer sticky.


Place cookies by teaspoonful on ungreased cookie sheet about 1.5 inches apart.  Bake 15-20 minutes until cookies are golden brown.  Remove from baking sheets and cool on wire rack.  If you prefer sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Pearls in White Chocolate Cookie Bars

  This is the new addition to my favorite recipe folder. In fact it is my husbands new favorite recipe also.  The two of us ate half a pan of these shamelessly when they were warm out of the oven.  The benefit is that they are a little healthy.  They come out of the oven delicious and crumbly.     

1 box reduced sugar chocolate cake mix
1 1/2 Tablespoon oil
1 c. white chocolate chips
2 eggs, stir in separately

1/2 cup apple sauce
2 tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla

In a greased 13x9 inch pan spread mixture evenly.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  ENJOY! 

Pumpkin Fluff Chocolate Chip Cookies

Did you know that Native Americans used to weave strips of pumpkin into mats?  The original pumpkin pie was litterally a pumpkin with the top sliced off and the seeds scooped out.  The pumpkin was filled with milk, honey and spices and cooked in the ashes of a fire.  I think todays version of pumpkin puree in a can is much much easier (thank you Libby).  Anyways today was my day off and I decided since it has been quite chilly(about 55 degrees here) it must be time to bake PUMPKIN GOODIES which happen to be some of my husband (and my) favorite treats.  Todays recipe was Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies.  I have to say that they aren't as good as I remember my mom's pumpkin cookies but good nonetheless.  These particuar cookies turn out to be like orange clouds and will please the doughy cookie fans in your household.   

Click here for more pumpkin information

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups (12-ounce bag) milk chocolate chips, not semisweet
• Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray

Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Take the cookies off with a spatula and cool them on wire racks.

Trail Mix Cookies

Tired of the run of the mill chocolate chip cookie? Try these delicious trail mix cookies that feature oatmeal and dried fruit.
These can be quickly made in a afternoon but they won't stay for long.

1/2 cup margarine softened
1/2 cup sugar (or splenda)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 1/4 all-purpose flour (use 1/4 cup of whole wheat)
1 cup oats (either quick or old fashioned)
1 cup coconut
1/2 cut nuts
1 cup dried cherries

In a large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder and soda. Beat until combined (don't forget to scrape sides of the bowl). Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour then add oats, coconut and cherries.

Drop dough onto ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes or until golden. Transfer to wire rack. Eat warm with a big glass of milk.