Merry Christmoose!

From Moose and the rest of us! :)

Fontina Mac & Cheese

I had to search for Fontina to make this recipe, so maybe I was expecting too much out of it...Not sure, but it didn't meet my expectations. Maybe I am just stuck on traditional mac & cheese. Don't get me wrong, it's good, just not what I was hoping for. I will try a more traditional recipe next time. I did discover that I love panko bread crumbs though!


Recipe

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

I got a package in the mail today from someone totally awesome! It was actually the perfect gift, with perfect timing. I was planning on trying a bunch of cookie recipes this week to see which make the cut for my Christmas cookie tins, and here is what I received today:


An adorable dish towel set, oven mitt and pot holder, and a cookie cookbook!

In the book I saw a recipe for chocolate crinkle cookies and decided to try them out tonight. They are pretty tasty. Like a brownie in cookie form. They definitely make the cut!



Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Mix together cocoa, white sugar and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, stir in vanilla. In separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into cocoa mixture. Cover dough and chill for at least 4 hours or until firm enough to form into balls.

Preheat oven to 350, line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place confectioners sugar in shallow bowl. Roll chilled dough into 1 inch balls. Roll dough balls in confectioners sugar until completely coated. Place on cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Bake 8-12 minutes, just until edges are firm. Do not over bake. Let stand on cookie sheet for a minute, transfer to wire rack to cool.

Recipe is from The Great Cookie Book by Nordic Ware

Palmiers

This recipe comes from The Way The Cookie Crumbles. It looked really simple and when she mentioned that they taste like a cinnamon roll in a cookie, I knew I had to try them. I need to work on the rolling to make them a little prettier, but they are delicious!


Original Recipe

Found It!

I had been on the hunt for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe for a few months, and I've finally found it! Ironically, the one we like the best happens to be the recipe that comes on the back of the Nestle Toll house bag. Apparently you can't mess with a classic. I also got to try out my new KitchenAid, which I love!



Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
When I made them I halved the recipe to only make about 2 dozen. I also didn't add the nuts because I don't care for them.

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts


Preheat oven to 375° F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Christmas Cheer!

I don't know if it was the snow we got today, the decorations, or the fact that I got my early Christmas present yesterday, but I am totally ready for Christmas this year!

Here is my super awesome present from Justin:

KitchenAid in the tangerine color. I have been drooling over these for the past year and am so excited to finally have one. :)

We have most of the house decorated for Christmas. Sorry for the blurry pics, but I had the flash off to avoid glare from the lights. The stockings are the dogs(I know, lame).





I still need to finish decorating the kitchen and dining room.