Hot Cocoa Cookies to Enjoy with Hot Chocolate

It's that time of year again to plan our holiday menus. Do you bake your family favorites each year or do you like to try new recipes? Most of mine are passed down through generations of my family. As I bake them, I  picture my Mom or Grandmas in their kitchens baking cookies in preparation for the family.  

Occasionally I will make a new cookie recipe. If you love hot chocolate like I do, you might like this easy recipe I found on Kraft Recipes . You need 20 minutes prep time and the following ingredients.

2 (4 oz.) packages Baker's semi -sweet chocolate, divided.

3/4 cup butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 tablespoons milk

17 Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows, cut in half

Chop 6 oz. chocolate and place in a medium microwaveable bowl with the butter on high for a minute or until the butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is melted and well blended.  Stir in the sugar and eggs and mix well.  Next add the flour and baking powder and mix well. The mixture will be very soft. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Heat oven to 350.  Roll tablespoons of dough into balls about 1 1/4 inches in diameter.  Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake 8-9 minutes or until no longer shiny.  The cookies will still be soft.  Immediately, top each cookie with marshmallow half, cut side upside down.  

Bake another 1-2 minutes until the marshmallows start to puff up.  Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet and carefully transfer to aluminum foil sheets to finish cooling.

Melt the remaining chocolate as directed on the package, stir in milk.  Drizzle over the marshmallow tops.  Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm. 

 

*I place my cookies to chill in my garage for a short time,  In the winter, it's not a problem chilling with this method if you live in the Midwest!

Happy Baking!

Harvest Slow Cooker Pork Roast

photo by Kraft


Apples and cranberries are still on stage front and center but not for much longer.    So grab your slow cooker and prepare this easy roast that any family member will enjoy.  This recipe looks and tastes delicious when having guests for dinner too.

For 8 servings you need:  2 lb. pork tenderloin, fat trimmed, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 3 cups apple juice, 3-4 Granny Smith Apples, 1 cup fresh  cranberries, 3/4 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Brown the pork roast on all sides in a skillet in canola oil.  This will seal in the juices of the roast while in the slow cooker.
Next, add the remaining ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until the pork is tender.  

Baked sweet potatoes and green beans are perfect sides to finish this dish beautifully.

Thanks for stopping by.

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

Simply Recipes

If loving bacon is wrong, I don't want to be right!  Found this awesome recipe on Kraft so be sure to share with your family. Fire up the grill and this will make 10 servings:

You need: 

1 chopped tomato

1/4 chopped onions

1 chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)

10 slices bacon (Oscar Mayer is a favorite)

10 hot dog buns

1/4 cup Kraft Real Mayonnaise

1/2 cup ketchup

1 16 oz. package Oscar Mayer hot dogs

1/4 cup yellow mustard

To make:

Heat grill to medium heat.  Combine tomatoes, onions and pepper.  Wrap 1 bacon slice tightly around each hot dog, tucking in ends of bacon slices to secure.  Grill 8-10 minutes or until bacon is done and hot dogs are heated through, turning occasionally.  Drain on paper towels.  

Meanwhile, brush mayo evenly on both sides of buns and grill 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly toasted on both sides. Fill buns with hot dogs, and top with tomato mixture, ketchup and mustard.  

Serve with corn on the cob and baked beans. Lemonade, anyone?

Happy grilling and thanks for stopping in.