Recipe Thursday - Unbaked Cookies

Well.... I am off to a very slow start today. Not sure why but everything just seems to be out of control today and taking twice as long as it should. Don't you just love days like that?  Hmm.... not so much. I wasn't sure if I would actually get a recipe done today what with feeling under the weather and all but I am getting much better and although I really couldn't see myself tackling anything large I decided to make one of my favorite treats. Be warned!! These are not a "good for you" treat. In fact they are decidedly bad for you but in such a delicious way that I must make them a few times a year just because. I'm sure I have mentioned (probably a few times) how fond I am of chocolate and peanut butter together so these are of course right up my alley.  I try very hard not to eat much of my baking but since these are technically not baked they don't count... right??? Well, that's what I plan on telling myself!

Unbaked Cookies

First lets gather the ingredients: These are sooo simple! 

2 cups white sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup butter or margarine which is all I had on hand today

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 cups oatmeal

First grab a medium sized pan and add the sugar and cocoa powder. One little trick I have learned regarding cocoa is to always mix it with the sugar first in a recipe if possible. That way you never end up with lumps and no whisking is necessary.

Then add the milk, butter and peanut butter and place over medium heat. Stirring continually bring to a nice full boil and set the timer for 1 minute.  Continue to stir while it bubbles away for that minute then take it off the heat.

Add your vanilla and oatmeal. I had to take a picture of the vanilla bubbling away. I find it funny how adding the vanilla always makes the mixture bubble like crazy. Sorry... no picture once the oatmeal was added. Must have forgotten to take one.  Plop by fairly large spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. You can put down parchment or wax paper first but I don't have any in the house as I hate buying "disposable" items. 

Then allow to set in a nice cool place for about an hour or so. A few hours is preferable but they rarely get to sit that long. Enjoy!! I won't have a post for tomorrow but plan on posting on Sunday to make up for it if I find the time. See you then!

Recipe Thursday - Mountain Man's Everything Cookies

I think by now many of you have probably figured out that Mountain Man has a sweet tooth and while I don't necessarily approve the lot seems to fall on me to feed it. One of the things I attempt to do is at least make sweet treats semi-healthy. I do mean semi-healthy as in my mind a cookie really never is very healthy, but, that does not deter Mountain Man in the least and since he is able to wear it off and rarely ever gain more than a few pounds in the winter I figure he deserves it. Besides! After that wonderful coffee table he built I'm willing to make him all the sweets he wants.... Umm....  please don't tell him I said that....

One of the things I love about this recipe is its longevity. By using a mix recipe I can have his special treat ready in no time. It actually takes much longer to heat up the wood stove's oven than it does to get the cookies ready to bake.

The Mix
3 cups brown sugar, packed
6 cups rolled oats
4 cups flour, (I use whole wheat but that can turn some people off as it changes the taste a bit)
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 pound shortening
1 1/2 cups coconut, shredded
2 cups raisins (I used dried cranberries this time as I ran out of raisins)
1 cup chocolate chips

Measure the first six ingredients into a large bowl and mix well, then add the shortening, again being careful to mix well. Don't be afraid to change up the last three items to your favorite proportions as long it adds up to the same amount. Finally add the last three ingredients and after mixing store up to six weeks in your refrigerator.

Ready to go into the fridge

Making the Cookies

1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups cookie mixture

In a medium sized bowl whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla. Add the cookie mixture and mix well. It can take a few minutes of mixing to get it the liquids incorporated.

Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Squash down a bit with a sugared fork unless you like them really puffy.
Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 12 to 15 minutes.

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