Christmas Goodies!

In Christmas tradition, we have filled the house with ample amounts of sugar loaded treats.  In addition to the two cookie recipes below, we made toffee and oreo truffles.  Fortunately for my waistline we gave most of the treats away.  But as always, Geoff, a healthy example I should follow, nibbles at the treats on rare occasions, leaving me to binge to my hearts content until I go to bed still tasting sugar on my tongue.  Now, if I filled the house with salty, cheesy treats the roles would be reversed.  In fact, for Geoff's birthday yesterday rather than end our meal with dessert, we instead indulged in seared mozzarella - delicious.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 spice cake mix
1+ C chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients.  Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.  Delicious.  And easy (a must when your little one has bronchitis and an ear infection).

Grasshopper Mint Cookies

This recipe was chosen because I couldn't run to the store until after naptime and so I needed something I had all the ingredients for.  And it was delicious.  I guess this is the year of the boxed cake mix for Christmas goodies. 

Cookie bottom:
1 Devil's Food Cake Mix - I didn't have devil's food, I used triple chocolate or something
1/2 C oil
2 eggs

Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs together. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-9 minutes.

NOTE: the peppermint frosting recipe and the chocolate topping recipe made enough for a double batch of cookies (2 cake mixes worth)
Peppermint Frosting:

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 Tbsp. milk

2 C powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Green food coloring

Cream the butter.  Gradually add 1 C of the powdered sugar.  Add the milk, extract, and food coloring.  Gradually add the remaining C of powdered sugar.  Add more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency, if desired.  Spread on cooled cookies

Chocolate Topping:

2 1/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

3/4 c. butter

Melt chocolate chips and butter together in a double boiler OR in a microwave (30 second intervals, stirring in between - do not over-microwave.  It shouldn't take more than 1.5-2 minutes). Spread melted chocolate on each cookie.

Merry Christmas!