Coconut, Chocolate Chip, Heath Bar Cookie

Funny how my last post was on weight loss and this post is a cookie recipe.  I still bake.  I enjoy tinkering around in the kitchen with recipes and then passing baked goods on to friends/family.  For Father's Day I made cupcakes and Reese Dreams for our dad's to enjoy.  

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Butterfinger Cupcakes

 Our grandmas (my husband's and mine) also enjoy their sweets.  The great thing is that they both enjoy the same taste...chocolate, coconut, butterscotch, lemon, etc----Okay, I think our grandmas have a bit of a sweet tooth too. :)  So when I decided to combine some of their favorites into a cookie, THIS is what turned out. 

A Coconut, Chocolate Chip Heath Bar Cookie.

I mean just LOOK at this delicious batter!!

Want the recipe?

 Click the image below.

Enjoy!!

Chocolate Pudding Cookies--with Red Velvet M&Ms

My little Busy Mom Blog is lacking in the blogging department---much like my teaching blog!  YIKES!!   Apparently, naming it a busy mom blog suits me well!!  I can't wait until summer to have more recipes and ideas to share with you! :)

Okay----now--- 

The lovey dovey holiday is over---so that means half price candy right? :)   

Grab you a bag of these little sweet treats.

(Honestly, by themselves--I wasn't a fan---

but they are great in the cookie recipe I'm sharing with you!)

This little bag of M&Ms along with a box of instant pudding and other basic 

cookie ingredients make a YUMMY chocolate cookie.

Now you know I like quick easy recipes.

I don't like to add a lot of unnecessary steps using different bowls.

I want to throw it all in and be done! 

So I did! :)  

I know some like to push their M&Ms on top of the cookie, but who has time for that?

They are meant to be made quickly so they can be eaten!!   :)

I lined my cookie sheets with parchment paper. 

Then I dropped them using a rounded cookie scoop.

There is no right size here--but I do like a nice plump cookie!

Bake them at 350 (325 Convection) for about 8-10 minutes.  They will be a bit soft.

Allow them to cool 2-3 minutes before placing on a cooling rack. (This is one of those unnecessary steps I sometimes skip.  If you're wanting to save on dish time--

cooling them on paper towels works well too!)

Eat and enjoy!! 

 Chocolate Pudding Cookies with Red Velvet M&Ms

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1-2 t. vanilla

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 t. soda

1 small box of instant pudding (any flavor of chocolate will work GREAT)

1/2 bag (or more for your liking) of Red Velvet M&Ms

 Preheat oven to 350.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  Mix all ingredients together in the order listed, saving the M&Ms.  Stir in the M&Ms.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Allow to cool for an addition 3.  Store in an airtight container! :)

*Cookies do freeze well.  I made these for the kiddos and stored them in individual ziplock baggies.  Then they were tossed into their lunch bags when lunches were being made and they were thawed out easily by their lunch time!!

 

Oriental Chicken and Noodles

  What do I do for supper?  We all have those kinds of days...where you haven't planned anything, it's been a long day, you have homework to help with, make sure laundry is done, etc.  This quick little meal requires few ingredients and little prep.  Perfect for a busy mom (or dad) to fix.  

Now Matt and I just quickly through some ingredients we had on hand together for this meal, and we enjoyed it so much that it will become a go to for those "what do I fix now" meals. 

**First of all, we buy the tenderloins (not the big breast pieces) from Sam's Club.  

No, they aren't organic/range-free/or whatever else.  

They are small pieces, taste good, and are affordable. :)

The only other ingredients you need are pictured here:

What to do:

Cut the chicken up into bite size pieces.

Place it into an electric skillet (350) with a little stir fry oil (canola oil, coconut oil, etc.) will also work.

After your chicken is cooked thoroughly, add your noodles.

Add your noodles to your chicken.   We used Udon Noodles.  They take little time to cook.

When they are heated through, add your Oriental Sauce.

*Side note--I think when I will no longer buy many marinades from the grocery store.  Too much corn syrup!  I've noticed that most of the oriental sauces have less ingredients, and no corn syrups. I really like the flavor  to them, when I can't come up with my own marinades.

The sauce we used was a Stir-Fry Sauce made by East-West.  

And it's that quick!  That simple! That delicious!

Now I'm sure if you're family is a veggie eating family, you will want to add some veggies to the pan with your noodles.  My family isn't much on the veggies, but the kids did enjoy this meal! SO winner in my book!

I do enjoy Sesame Seeds, so I sprinkled some on top of mine. :)

One more thing you could do for this meal...

Do you like BD's Mongolian Grill?

They will bring you tortillas for your meal. 

You can serve your oriental chicken/noodles in whole grain tortillas and pretend you are at BD's. :) 

MUCH cheaper!! :)

I hope you enjoy this quick little meal!

White Chocolate Reese Pudding Cookie

So, I've been doing fairly well with this "healthy eating", and I have a few recipes to share with you....BUT....today is not that day.  :)

 You see, once in a while, I have to have a white chocolate Reese.

It's about the only sweet that really tastes good to me anymore---I know, right?

I mean sweets and me used to go together like shoes and socks, peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper---well, you get the idea.  But these little guys are now my quick go to when I want a little taste, and I'm even trying to get them out of sight out of mind.  SOOO--I thought to myself:

Self (because that's what I call me)--what about trying out a recipe for cookies for the kids?

I called myself BRILLIANT, and set off to fix some cookies.

Allow me to introduce you to this sweet treat.

This is a White Chocolate Reese Cup Cookie, but that's not all--

it's Peanut Butter, and Hershey Kiss Chocolate Drops, and Cheesecake Pudding--

It's a yummy cookie, and the kids are going to love it in their lunches.

Here's a quick glance of the ingredients I used (minus the eggs):

  I guess I told myself if I used sugar free pudding mix, and organic peanut butter all the calories would be deleted. Let's just roll with that idea, shall we? :)

Now I'm all about being a one-bowl mix type of girl, because frankly, the kitchen staff here is lacking.  

***LITTLE RANT:  I feel like the little red hen sometimes.

The mommy asks, "Who will help me fix (insert anything here)"  

"Not I," said the daddy.  "Not I," said the daughter. "Not I," said the son.  

The mommy asks, "Who will help me clean up the mess""

"Not I," said the daddy.  "Not I," said the daughter. "Not I," said the son.  

The mommy asks, "Who wants to try (insert ALMOST anything here)

Well, you know how the story goes! :)

Now this isn't all the time, thank goodness!!

Moving on---as I was saying--I'm all about wanting to use one bowl.

I know some recipes call for you mixing stuff up in separate bowls, but who needs another mess?

I did cut the Reese cups in a bowl--but everything else went into the mixer.

 I do cream and stir together as I add other ingredients, but I really do throw it all in one bowl.

Then fold in your white chocolate reeses and chocolate chips.

 Drop by spoonful onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

 Bake at 350 (or if you have convection oven--325) for 9 minutes.

 Then eat!! :)

White Chocolate Reese Cup Pudding Cookies

3/4 c. butter

1/2 c. peanut butter (but I did use organic--you could also use chunky)

3/4. c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar (I opted for pure cane sugar)

2 eggs

1 T. vanilla 

2 1/4 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt 

 1 small box of pudding mix (vanilla, french vanilla, or cheesecake---I used sugar free cheesecake)

White Chocolate Reese Cups (As many as you'd like--can you ever have too many?--I used about 1/4 to 1/2 bag)

1/2 to 1 bag of  chocolate chips (I used Hershey's mini kisses)

 Preheat oven to 350 (or 325 Convection)  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

 Unwrap white chocolate cups and cut into small pieces (eat the rest?) Cream butter and peanut butter together.   Add sugars, mix.  Add eggs and vanilla, and mix.

Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.  Mix in Pudding mix.  Fold in White Reese Cups and chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded spoonful onto baking sheets. Bake for 9 minutes and allow to cool for 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.  Store in airtight container. 

 

  

Family Fun and Healthier Eating

I'm determined to get my family on track with eating healthier.  They (not me) are chip people!  I can take them or leave them--though I am quite found of Cool Ranch Doritos.  The rest, ahh...I can pass them up.  BUT, when I saw some recipes for apple chips on Pinterest....yep, I needed to make them!!  

The great thing is they are easy to prep and while they bake, I can get other things finished around the house.

I have found several recipes online from various sources and have adapted them to suit our needs.  Again, I always like to find things that all of us can do together.  Therefore this recipe is kid friendly.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 225 and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Choose your favorite sweet apple. You can even do a variety of flavors.

Step 3: Cut your apples into rings. 

We did this with the mandolin like the baked potato chips, working around the core. 

Step 4:  Choose how you would like to flavor your apple.  Just a hint to add a hint of sweet.

 I'm bad about measurements as I just pour it in until I get the taste/color I'm wanting.

We divided up our apple rings and tried vanilla powder, cinnamon/sugar mixture, and brown sugar.  I liked the taste of all of these on the chips. 

Then sprinkle the rings with your taste of flavor/sweetness.

 You can clearly tell that Connor likes to sprinkle more than just a bit. ;)

Pop them in the oven for an hour, flip and then bake an hour longer.

My hubby liked this picture. 

And there you have it!

Ingredients

2-3 apples (I prefer golden delicious or honeycrisp as they have a sweeter taste)
cinnamon/sugar mixture (1 tsp. cinnamon to 2 1/2 tsp sugar)

Preheat oven to 225. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  Slice your apples creating rings, leaving skin on. Lay in single layers on your parchment lined baking sheet.  Sprinkle with your cinnamon mixture.  Bake for one hour.  Flip apples over and return to the oven for another hour.   Enjoy!!

Baked Potato Chips

So today, after all that baking we did, we tossed some of it out.  I put some in the freezer because sometimes you truly JUST NEED a treat. But why wait until the New Year to start that diet?  I mean really--things are always just put on hold.  Each day is a new day!

Today we tried our hand at making our own Potato Chips for supper.

Potato Chips?  Yes!  Didn't you just say you were starting a diet? Uhm, yes!

Baby steps! ;)   Actually, the potato chips we made were pretty yummy, no preservatives, and less calories than a bag of store bought chips.

The recipe is so simple too.

I like to find things that the kids can help with in the kitchen, and this recipe is just that.

First of all, we used Red Skinned Potatoes and we left the skin on. 

*Note, I'm not allowed to use the Mandolin Slicer anymore.   Hubby says I cut myself with sharp utensils too often!  Fact!* 

 They potatoes were sliced on about a 2 on the mandolin (about 1/8').  

You want them thin, but not see through thin.

Then, we lightly oiled the baking sheet. 

 I suggest using olive oil, it's a healthier choice.  

You could also use whatever oils you have on hand.  

You MAY be able to use parchment paper, but I didn't try that yet.

*Connor just used a brush to brush the oil around on our very loved baking pans that are just perfect for this (not cookies by the way), and yes, he's in jammies! Don't judge!* :)

Place the potatoes in a bowl/dish and lightly coat them with olive oil

 (or whatever oils you are using).

Lay your potatoes in a single layer on your cookie sheet.

And here's the fun part.  The possibilities are ENDLESS.

I like dill, so I sprinkled some dill on my potatoes.

My husband likes hot and spicy, so we sprinkled some ghost pepper salt on his.

The kids just like spices in general.  

 BUT, if you like just Salt...

Let me give you a close up of one of the great things from the pic above:

I was lucky enough to get this at a Kitchen Collection Sample Sale for a fraction of the cost.  It is AWESOME.  I must have it all the time now! 

Put them in your oven (Preheated to 400) and let them back for about 20 minutes or so--just til they are crispy enough.  Place in a basket or dish lined with paper towels to let the excess oil drip off the chips and then serve with your favorite main course.

Mine? A grilled pizza burger. 

**If you are wanting a mandolin, I do like the folding ones as they are easier to store.

Here's a link to one.

                                                                 

Happy *HEALTHIER* Eating!

Christmas---and the After Mess

Tell me, why is it we clean our homes the day before family comes for Christmas and then clean it up the day after the mess?  In my case they were two days apart.  We cleaned really well Christmas Eve before the in-laws came that evening.  We tidied up our Christmas morning mess before my dad came for Christmas lunch.  Then we cleaned up the day after Christmas where we also spent time rearranging and reorganizing.  I've come to realize that housework is just never really complete.

I mean think about it....just when you think you're all "caught up" someone decides it's time to eat.  There go the dishes and the kitchen!  Or maybe it's that they need to shower and/or change clothes.  Well, there goes the laundry.  It's just an endless task.  So this year, I'm going to try to tackle my work in increments and assign a chore a night so I can enjoy my weekends.  I've tried this before, but yet I still end up cleaning the whole house over the weekend.  There's something about freshly vacuumed carpet and the 

smell of polished furniture.  

Okay, back to my original thoughts---Christmas.  I baked--correction WE baked.  Everyone took part in our baking this year.  The goody trays (though I do sell some) have been a git to my aunt/uncle and Grandma for years---WAY before I was married with my own kids.  It's something I remember my mom doing.  I took over when I was in high school and have enjoyed it ever since.  This is what our tray looked like this year. 

See those little chocolate and butterscotch covered things?  OHH MY they are AWESOME and so SUPER easy to make.  My kids were both able to help make these.

Here's the recipe (And I really don't remember where it came from, so I apologize)

Pretzel Bites

40 Square Pretzels

1 bag of Butterscotch chips

20 marshmallows cut in half (making 40)

Ghiradelli melting chips

Place a large baking rack over wax paper.

Arrange pretzels over baking rack.

In a microwave safe bowl combine butterscotch chips and shortening. Melt in 30-second intervals stirring constantly.

Dip each marshmallow half in melted butterscotch. Using two forks, gently place marshmallows onto pretzels.

In another microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate candy coating and remaining 3 tablespoons of shortening. Stir every 30 seconds until melted. Pour about a tablespoon of chocolate over each marshmallow allowing chocolate to drip down sides. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Allow marshmallows to set for about 30 minutes.

Store in an airtight container.

Read more at http://www.lemonsforlulu.com/2013/11/20/butterscotch-marshmallow-bites/#06zJtBTyB3aRQGOV.99

Place a sheet of wax paper under a cooling rack.  Place pretzels on the baking rack. Melt butterscotch chips in microwave safe dish.  Coat marshmallows in butterscotch chips.  

(If the chips seem to thick to coat marshmallows, add a bit of oil or shortening to make it a little thinner.)  Place coated marshmallow onto pretzel. 

 (I found using a fork and knife to slide was easiest.)

After marshmallows have all been set on pretzels, melt the Ghiradelli chips.  Spoon the melted chocolate over the coated marshmallows.  Sprinkle just enough to make it look pretty.   (This could also be done for Valentine's Day using red and pink Sprinkles) Allow to set until dry (about 20 minutes) and store in an airtight container.

Place a large baking rack over wax paper.

Arrange pretzels over baking rack.

In a microwave safe bowl combine butterscotch chips and shortening. Melt in 30-second intervals stirring constantly.

Dip each marshmallow half in melted butterscotch. Using two forks, gently place marshmallows onto pretzels.

In another microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate candy coating and remaining 3 tablespoons of shortening. Stir every 30 seconds until melted. Pour about a tablespoon of chocolate over each marshmallow allowing chocolate to drip down sides. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Allow marshmallows to set for about 30 minutes.

Store in an airtight container.

Read more at http://www.lemonsforlulu.com/2013/11/20/butterscotch-marshmallow-bites/#06zJtBTyB3aRQGOV.99

Place a large baking rack over wax paper.

Arrange pretzels over baking rack.

In a microwave safe bowl combine butterscotch chips and shortening. Melt in 30-second intervals stirring constantly.

Dip each marshmallow half in melted butterscotch. Using two forks, gently place marshmallows onto pretzels.

In another microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate candy coating and remaining 3 tablespoons of shortening. Stir every 30 seconds until melted. Pour about a tablespoon of chocolate over each marshmallow allowing chocolate to drip down sides. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Allow marshmallows to set for about 30 minutes.

Store in an airtight container.

Read more at http://www.lemonsforlulu.com/2013/11/20/butterscotch-marshmallow-bites/#06zJtBTyB3aRQGOV.99

Place a large baking rack over wax paper.

Arrange pretzels over baking rack.

In a microwave safe bowl combine butterscotch chips and shortening. Melt in 30-second intervals stirring constantly.

Dip each marshmallow half in melted butterscotch. Using two forks, gently place marshmallows onto pretzels.

In another microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate candy coating and remaining 3 tablespoons of shortening. Stir every 30 seconds until melted. Pour about a tablespoon of chocolate over each marshmallow allowing chocolate to drip down sides. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Allow marshmallows to set for about 30 minutes.

Store in an airtight container.

Read more at http://www.lemonsforlulu.com/2013/11/20/butterscotch-marshmallow-bites/#06zJtBTyB3aRQGOV.99

Then after the Christmas unwrappings, it was time to find a place for all of the new stuff, reorganize and rearrange.   I have a toy bin organizer in my son's room that I JUST cleaned during Thanksgiving break.  Mind you, my son rarely plays with toys, yet that thing needs cleaned out DAILY!  So--we snapped a picture of it with the Kindle and now he can look to see what it looks like and put things back in their correct spot.  This will save me time.  

When it came time to clean up in my room, I was lucky enough to get a new jewelry chest.  It holds my bracelets and necklaces.  My earrings, though, I've stored in ice cube trays for a few years now.  It's affordable.  It's organized.  

It fits inside my drawer.  It makes it SUPER easy to find a matching pair. 

Now that the house is tidy (for the moment), I have some time to enjoy my kiddos.

New Blog and a Cheap, Fast, and Easy Gift

I have to laugh as I type that title.  My mom always said that she wanted to write her own cookbook called Cheap, Fast and Easy as that was her lifestyle as a working mom, a wife and a mother of 3.  One of those three, by the way, is WONDERFUL! The other two, well, they are okay too---I guess! :)

Welcome to my new blog---Chit Chat and Chocolate Bars.  This blog is basically a bunch of ramblings of little ole' me.  I may include gift ideas, recipes, best deals, reviews, and personal opinions of current topics.  Basically, it's going to be my therapy--a way to relax, meet a few "friends" and share my experiences and thoughts.  It's a mommy blog, a family blog, a baking blog---it's just a jumble of goodness, or at least I hope it to be. 

Excuse the look.  It's nothing fancy dancy at the moment.  It's something I may change down the road, but for now, it works for me.  I struggled finding a name, but I think this one suits me.  I think that talking (meeting new people) and chocolate are among my favorite things outside of my family.  

So most of you probably stumbled upon me from that little old teacher blog of mine. I have truly enjoyed my teacher blog and FB page, and now I'm ready to venture out into new interests.  As much as I love my job----my heart still lies with wanting a bakery.  SOMEDAY, maybe, that will happen.  Until then, I can blog about it---which brings me to my cheap, fast and easy gift.

Do you get gifts for your coworkers, neighbors, or friends?  That can all add up.  Mind you, I take after my mom....and I'm a teacher...I'm all about CHEAP, FAST, AND EASY.  

There's something about gift cards....I hate to just give them.  I feel like they are a great idea because they are practical.  The recipient can then go and get what they want and it's a win-win, right?  I don't like gift cards because I feel that they are too impersonal.  So, I like to give a little baked good with it, or a simple gift to unwrap.  I mean who doesn't like to unwrap presents?  Not this girl!

This is my little gift for my coworkers.  Both of my teammates are fresh, out of college MALES.  They are both living on their own for the first time (Away from home--same state, but different towns).  I made them a little Christmas Crunch Munch, wrapped it in a little bag, tucked the bag and gift card inside of a little glass jar and Ta-da!  We're done.  Easy! 

The jars were like $2.50 from Walmart. 

Mine are trimmed in a burgandy, but I saw these on Amazon--they are trimmed in blue.
They would be pretty for a "winter blues" gift/treat.

Then I filled them up with this delicious combo.

Today was the first day I've made this treat, though I've made similar for Halloween.

My niece wanted me to find ways to make it for all holidays, so I did.

Now mind you, there's no right or wrong way to make this mix, but below is my recipe. 

The recipe can be halved/doubled and more goodies can be added in.

DeAnne's Christmas Crunch

4 cups Vanilla Chex cereal

2 cups pretzel twists

1/2 bag of mini M&M baking bits (red and green)

1/2 bag of Reese minis

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/4 to 1/2 bag of Ghiradelli melting wafters

Combine the first 5 ingredients and carefully toss to mix.

 Melt chocolate according to package directions. 

(It usually takes mine about 2 2/12 minutes in the microwave to melt completely.)

Carefully pour over the dry mix and toss to coat.  

The reese's may melt just a tad, but ohh my goodness!!  

Tie it up in a little decorative baggy, add a bow, stick in a basket and you have a quick gift to leave by your door for those that "pop in" too.  Of course, you can always store it in a air tight container and eat it yourself....I won't tell anyone. :)

Here's a picture of the Ghiradelli wafers I referred to in my recipe. 

 

 

This price is for a 2 pack which is actually a decent deal---HOWEVER,  I have stocked up on mine from Sam's Club.  They only carry Ghiradelli for the holidays, and I prefer this chocolate over the Candy Quick. It has a much better taste.