My Christmas Gift Baskets

I made these cute gifts for a few friends, a fun gift basket for making cookies with their kids/grandkids!

~*~

I filled each basket with a cookie mix, sprinkles variety, oven mitt and pot holder, tea towel set, holiday cookie plate, cookie cutter and a few small candy canes, embellished the basket with a Christmas ornament and all tied up with a clear bag with a bow & a bell!

Gift Basket # 1

Gift Basket # 2

Gift Basket # 3

::: Tip of the day :::

If you need a last minute gift idea...This makes a sweet gift! I picked up the basket and contents at Target, the bag, cookie plate and embellishments from the Dollar Tree!

~ I enjoyed making and gifting these, and they enjoyed receiving them!

S'more S'mores

Say "S'mores" and I think of summertime, and an evening campfire.  Although we can also make them late into the fall sometimes too, since here in the south it is often nice enough to have an evening that is warm with a bit of chill in the air, perfect for a cozy fire in the backyard.  Also having a fire pit in the yard is common now days.  A campfire or backyard fire is always a great time for making and enjoying s'mores.  The thought often reminds me of the many times I would allow my kids and their friends to camp-out in the backyard during the summertime.  They just thought is was the coolest thing, real tents and everything, and especially the campfire!  I liked it because they were right here at home with all the benefits of home, but enjoying the benefits of camping too.  No camp-out would be complete without making s'mores, so they were always included in the plan.  

On one occasion, while having the campfire all ready and the kids excited to make s'mores, I realized I totally forgot to pick up some graham crackers when I had been shopping for all the camp prep.  "Seriously?"  Well it didn't stop me from making s'mores fun.  Sometimes you have to try something a different way.  Luckily I had chocolate chip cookies on hand...Yep, good ole Nabisco Chips Ahoy, chocolate chip cookies.  They were a huge hit, and most of the kids liked them even as much or better than the traditional way.  Personally, I to this day still prefer to make them using those chocolate chip cookies.  Give it a try, you might be surprised and find that you do like them too.  You can still add the chocolate candy bar if you like, or the chocolate chips in the cookies may be enough chocolate for you.  Although there's always room for more chocolate if you ask me!  Toast up those marshmallows and then squish 'em (don't you just love that technical term?), between two Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies, and mmm, mmm!  S'more please!

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This got me thinking about making s'mores cookies.  I found many recipes on my search and there are a gazillion different recipes for s'mores cookies that look easy and tasty, and would offer that s'mores flavor.  I came across a couple that can be made on the grill.  That's something I had never tried.  And who wants to turn on the oven when it's 90 degrees outside?


This S'more Pizza makes for a great dessert, also a fun treat for the kids to put together.  After cooking dinner on the grill, you make dessert on the grill too!  Yummy!

Grilled Chocolate Chip S’more Pizza

Image source

Recipe from  Pillsbury

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I'm a huge fan of Nutella, and I also love bananas so this is very much to my liking.  Another interesting way to make s'mores on the grill.

Banana-Nutella S'Mores

image source

Recipe from Food and Wine

I think both of these could also be adapted to prepare in the oven.  How about a treat during winter to make you feel like it is summer again?!  I'll have to give that a try later on.  Oh my, did I just say...winter?  Pffft!

No worries!  It's still summertime, it is August 31st, and the temperature was 88° today! ;)...

Cookie Dessert Bowls

source - Wilton.com

This is a great idea and oh so cute.

Make cookie bowls for serving desserts, ice cream or fruits.

Turn the muffin pan upside down and put cookie dough over the top of each cup then bake.

image source

You could use any regular muffin type pan for this, or mini muffin pans would work too for making small cookie cups or bite sized desserts.  Although this cute pan was used for the example above, and it would be great for mini cakes too.

I found this one at the online store at Wilton.com.  

Sugar Cookie Bowls

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon No Color Almond Extract
Makes:

12 bowls.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray the outside of each bowl cavity of Ice Cream Cookie Bowl Pan with vegetable pan spray.

2. In medium bowl, combine flour and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.

3. Roll out dough on generously-floured surface to 1/8 in. thickness. Cut 4-1/2 in. circles from dough.. Drape one circle over each bowl cavity of pan, pressing to form smooth surface.

4. Bake 11-13 minutes or until cookie cups are firm and golden brown. Cool on pan on cooling rack 10 minutes. Loosen bottom edges of cookies from pan using small spatula. Carefully remove cups from pan and cool completely. Wash, dry and spray pan; repeat with remaining dough.

Dessert is even better when you can eat the bowl!...

~ Tammy ~

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

A cookie with a little something extra.  

Peanut butter cookie cups with mini Reese's peanut butter cups inside.

If you like peanut butter, peanut butter cookies and or Reese's cups, well this is thee cookie!  I happen to love all three so, when I got this idea I just couldn't wait to make them!  They were delicious and all I can say is mmmmm!

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

Ingredients:

1 Peanut butter cookie mix

1 Bag of Reese's mini peanut butter cups

Directions:

I used a packaged peanut butter cookie mix and Reese's mini peanut butter cups.  Prepare the peanut butter cookie mix according to the package directions, fill mini muffin cups about half full, press cookie dough evenly down into cups.  Bake for approximately 10 minutes until puffy and light golden in color.  After removing cookies from the oven, cool slightly , then push mini peanut butter cups into center of the cookies until flush with the top.  Mini peanut butter cups will begin to soften and melt, carefully remove from muffin pan and let set until cooled and chocolate looks firm or hardened again.  Centers may be hot for a while so take care if you try them while still warm!(and yes I know from experience)  They are worth the wait though and even better the next day, if they are still around.*wink*  Enjoy!

Sweet-sational!

       

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies, hmmm?  Well, those who do will also most likely enjoy these chocolate chip cookie bars!  I made these using a packaged chocolate chip cookie mix, and extra chocolate chips for the topping.  So easy and so good!  You could try this using your own chocolate chip cookie recipe if you prefer.  I don't mind letting Betty Crocker help me out, just follow the rest of the instructions and baking time below and it should be fine.  I like options too, and I really like...easy!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

1 package Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie mix (makes 3 dozen - 2 inch cookies)

1 or 2 eggs  (1 egg for cookie bars - 2 eggs for cake-like bars)

1 stick or 1/2 cup butter or margarine softened(not melted)

1+1/2 to 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips. (for topping)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 F.  Stir softened butter and egg(s) in medium bowl.  Stir in cookie mix until soft dough forms.  Spread cookie dough in ungreased  9" pan.  Bake approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Continue baking 2 minutes or until chocolate chips are soft.  Remove from oven.  Spread melted chocolate chips with spatula or butter knife.  Let cool before cutting.     

 Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Spread cookie dough into ungreased 9" pan and bake.

Spread melted chocolate chips and cool before cutting.

I cut them into 16 squares of goodness! 

mmmm...I love these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!...