Giant Chocolate Candy Bar Cookies

This is one of those super-duper easy cookie recipes you have got to keep in your pocket at Christmastime!  

Speaking of my favorite time of year... It's not even here yet, but I am slowly beginning to decorate for Christmas (early for me), and I was in the mood for a delicious and festive batch of cookies for our family.  Before introducing you to the cookies, let me say how much we loved having snow this week!!!  It snowed and it stayed on the ground for two days, which is practically unheard of in a Kentucky November!  It was just so perfect with my husband on vacation at home and the beautiful snow, not to get out our Christmas decorations!  I never have out anything up before Thanksgiving, but it never has snowed this early either.  We'll wait until after Thanksgiving to put up the big Christmas tree, but we have so much to decorate that it'll take days even without the tree! So I'm around the house decking the halls and loving it!

I found this fun chocolate cookie recipe in the Gooseberry Patch cookbook, The Harvest Table, and when I saw it included only 3 ingredients plus candy bars I was excited!  We have (way too many) mini candy bars left over from fall parties even after I threw a lot away.  These cookies are perfect for your leftover candy bars.  The secret ingredients is a box of devils food cake mix so they're really fast to make.  They aren't a cakey texture but instead very chewy and moist like cookies should be.  I thought adding some cute sprinkles would be even more festive for our kids!  These big chocolatey candy bar cookies are irresistible, and I hope maybe they will make their way into your festivities this season, too!  

They might even be perfect for "Santa" to munch on Christmas Eve! ;)

Giant Chocolate Candy Bar Cookies

•1 box Devils food cake mix

•2 Eggs, lightly beaten

•1/2 c. Canola oil

•10 mini chocolate bars, chopped ( I used a combination including Reeses cups, Take 5, Kit Kat and Whoppers)

•Sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Using a mixer, mix together the cake mix, eggs and oil until well blended.  Add the chopped candy bars.  The batter will be thick.  Pop in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes.  

On a parchment lined baking sheet, drop rounded golf ball sized dough balls about 3 1/2 inches apart.  Top with sprinkles and lightly press them in dough.  Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool a few minutes before eating. A glass of milk is recommended for these cookies:)  Makes about 18 cookies.

* Note: The candy bars surprisingly dissolved/melted into the cookie when baked, so keep the chunks large if you want to really taste the candy bars inside.  These cookies keep well when aired in a tightly seals container.  

The Best M&M Cookies

 

I've been wanting to make some chewy m&m cookies for a long time.  I really don't have a reason why I haven't made them, except now that I have children I've really wanted to bake some!  They were one of my favorite cookies as a kid, because I always thought the bright candies were just so cheery and fun!  I still do!!

I picked up a bag of fall colored M&Ms this week, and although I hesitated because I LOVE the originals bright colors so much, I'm a sucker for seasonal things.  Especially in the fall.  

And Christmastime!

I found the base to this soft and chewy cookie recipe on another delicious blog, and I added my own little fall spin to it.  I mean I already had the gold, brown, and deep red candies so why not play it up a little more?  I added a dash of cinnamon, which really sends these cookies over. the. top!!  I had Reese's pieces on hand and so I threw some of those it, too.  The recipe calls for chocolate chips, and since I had partially full bag of Ghiradelli Bittersweet chips I though that would be perfect!  Of course any chocolate chip, or color (even mini size) of m&ms would be good.  It's all about making them your own!

This recipe turned out wonderful, and the cookies.... Perfect!!!  I wouldn't change a thing.  The warmth from the cinnamon adds the perfect cozy touch to these whimsical cookies that your whole family will be sure to love!  

I'm ready for Autumn to get here, how about you?!

The fact that there's only brown sugar(no white) and an extra egg yolk makes these cookies unbelievably chewy!!  I used dark brown sugar here.

The Best M&M Cookies

1c. butter, softened

1c. brown sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all purpose flour

1/4 c. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 12 oz bag M&M candies (save some to put on top)

1/2 c. chocolate chips

(Or heaping 1/4.c Chocolate chips and heaping 1/4 c. Reese's Pieces... Yummy!)

Beat together the butter and sugar until creamed well. 

 

Beat in the eggs and vanilla until all combined.

Mix together in another bowl, flour, corn starch, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

Add this in increments slowly until it's just combined with the butter mixture.

Add the candies and chocolate chips.  Save some M&Ms if you want for the top just before putting in the oven.

For best results here you want to wrap the dough in plastic wrap, wax paper or parchment.  I half the batter and twist the ends closed.  

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to about 3 days.  This will really richer the flavor of the cookie!!  No kidding.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Line your cookie sheet with parchment if you have it.

Roll dough into heaping Tablespoon sized balls and add a few extra candies to the top, if you want.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.  9 was the perfect time for me.  

My rack was on the second from the top in the oven.  You want the bottoms to look like a golden brown.  I think using parchment helps make them more even.

(My burgundy M&Ms look hot pink here!) :P

Let cool for about 5 minutes and enjoy while still hot!  Perfect with cold milk or strong coffee. :)  

You'll want to double the batch next time!  Makes close to 4 dozen cookies.

The original recipe at Yammies Noshery.

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Chewy White Chocolate Chunk-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

 

 I'm here to talk about one of my very favorite things to eat...Cookies!

 

I don't think I can convey to you just how delicious these oatmeal cookies are!  Filled with plump dried cherries, chunks of creamy white chocolate, toasted almonds, and old fashioned oats, this cookie is more like what I call a "gob" cookie that's chock full of good things.

 

 

 I always like to make a dessert using cherries around Presidents Day in honor of George Washington, our great first President!  I usually make a homemade cherry pie, but I decided to make cookies for something different.  Also, when I make a pie that feeds 6-8 for just Mr. Cozy and I, it seems like we have to stuff our face with pie for 2 days.  (Doesn't seem too bad, I guess...)  But with cookies, I make a big batch of dough and refrigerate it and just bake the cookies a few at a time when we want them! 

 

 

I have a sneaky suspicion these won't last very long, because they are crazy-good!  I chopped the white chocolate chunks myself and left them big so the cookies would be dotted with hunks of creaminess, and this tasted great!   I highly recommend chopping your own chocolate here rather than buying white chocolate chips.

 

 

I roughly chopped the dried cherries.  They add a bit of tartness that's so delicious with the chocolate and chewiness that's a perfect pairing with the crunchy toasted almonds.

 

 

I hope you all with find time during this winter storm that's blowing across the U.S. to make these  White Chocolate Chunk-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies!  If you're stuck at home, at least you can crank up the oven and makes a big batch of homemade cookies for--or with!-- your kiddos.  Grab a big glass of milk before they get out of the oven, because you want to eat these cookies while they're warm and extra chewy!  

 

Here is the plate we'll be enjoying over the next couple of days while the Mr. has a little time off! 

 

 

Chewy White Chocolate Chunk-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

Adapted from Joy the Baker 

 

1 c. (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, softened

1 c. Firmly Packed Brown Sugar

1/2 c. Granulated Sugar

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 1/2 c. All-Purpose Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Salt

3 c. Old Fashioned Oats

1 c. Dried Cherries

1 c. White Chocolate, coarsely chopped(I used Ghirardelli)

1/3 Slivered Almonds, toasted and rough chopped

 

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  

Spread out the almonds into a dry cookie sheet and bake for 7 minutes, or until fragrant and blonde.

 

In a medium sized bowl, place the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.  Stir together and set aside.

 

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together with an electic mixer and beat until fluffy. 

 

Add the eggs one at a time and vanilla. 

 

With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture.  Once all in, turn it up and make sure everything is blended well.

 

Add the oats, nuts, chocolate and cherries.  With a spoon mix all of this together until the add-ins are incorporated throughout.

 

Take half of the dough and place on plastic wrap.

 

 Fold the plastic around the dough, and using your hands mold the dough into a log.

 

 Twist the ends off then do the same to the rest of the dough.  You should have two logs that are ready to go in the fridge. 

 

Refrigerate for 4-24 hours for the best flavor.  The dough will last like this in the fridge over the next 5 days.  If you want to keep it longer, portion into heaping tablespoons and place in a freezer bag and freeze.

 

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

 

Cut into portions about the size of heaping tablespoons and place on a ungreased cookie sheet.

 

 

Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden and incredibly delicious!  Let cool for 1 minute before moving to a cooling rack.  Store tightly.

 

 

Chewy, chunky, crunchy and gooey.

 

 

 Enjoy!!!

 

 

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2012 Cookie & Cocoa Party!

 

Merry Christmas season to everyone!

 

I haven't been on The Cozy Little Kitchen in the past couple of weeks due to lots busy activity of the season (not to mention Christmas itself!), but I'm going to back up to the 15th of December and tell you about the party we hosted! 

 

(I have most of these recipes linked on the names, in case you want to try any for yourself!)

 

 

 We had our annual Cookies & Cocoa Party that we enjoy throwing for all Mr. Cozy's med student friends, now colleagues!  It's a night that I take nearly a week to prepare the house for and make about a dozen sweet treats and hot drinks.  Friends come and go or stay as long as they want to graze on the goodies and catch up on conversation! 

 

 

The Christmas music wafts throughout the house, and decoration are brimming, and the house smells like a bakery after days of baking candy, cookies and cupcakes! 

 

 

 The house is a flour and sugar filled mess until the morning of the party when I deep clean and try to erase any evidence of the hard work involved.  It's an art, really! ;)

 

Of course, this is the first year to host it in our own new house! The one that seems to have a Christmas spirit about it anyways with the red living room and fireplace in the dining room. I couldn't wait!!

 

  

I decided to angle the dining table to give it more of a grand appearance for the cookies on display.  I do this, and arrange the entire table--dishes, table cloth, candles--sans cookies a couple of days before the party.  I like to do as much ahead of time as possible so that day is not stressful.

 

 

In my gingerbread kitchen I had some Hot Spiced Wassail on the stove top for a cozy holiday drink!  It's full of juices and spices that simmer into a perfectly festive drink for any winter party!  In the glass mugs, I had a garnish of an orange slice and a couple of cranberries to enhance the flavors of the drink.  I think the wassail might have been even more popular that the cocoa itself!

 

I don't have a picture, but also in the kitchen I had some cinnamon-hazelnut coffee brewed for those who wanted something a little stronger to stand up to the sweets. 

 

 

 The creamy hot cocoa was simmering in the crock pot on the antique hunt board.  I put out jars of marshmallows, candy canes, and candy cane kisses next to the mugs for some delicious add-ins!  I love chocolate and peppermint together, so I thought naturally that would be a fun thing to have along side the cocoa! 

 

 

Johnson Bros. Christmas mugs are gathered in a basket, and they're my favorite Christmas dishes!  I used the matching dessert plates for the cookies.

 

 

  Unfortunately, I don't have an exact recipe for this delicious cocoa, because I almost always eyeball the ingredients and taste along the way.  I like to assemble it over the stove and get it really hot, then transfer it to a crock pot. Here are the delish ingredients it's comprised of so you can make some yourself!

Cocoa powder, Milk, Half & Half, Sugar, Vanilla Extract, pinch of Instant Coffee, pinch of Cinnamon.

This makes a creamy, frothy, rich cup of hot cocoa!!!

 

 

 We had a feast of goodies this year!  I made them all from scratch, and it was time consuming but fun!!!

 

 

 

The 2012 Cookie & Cocoa menu included:

 

Fresh Coconut Cupcakes with Fluffy Coconut Frosting

 

 

 

Christmas Tree Raspberry Linzer Cookies

 

Mr. Cozy and I LOVE these!  I think they are so beautiful, too! 

 

 

Mini Derby Pies

 A new addition of our favorite Derby Pie,  and they turned out so cute!  These little pies are truly a taste of Kentucky!  So many who came to the party are from out of state (or the country), and so we wanted to have some local and Southern favorites.

 

 

They were so easy to make.  Using a biscuit cutter, we made rounds of 2 refrigerated pie crusts and put them into regular muffin tins.  With the derby pie recipe filling, we filled the crust almost full and baked at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.  They popped out of the pan easily and were delicious!  The recipe made 2 dozen mini pies.

 

 

 Family classic Candy Cane Bark and Chocolate dipped Marshmallows,

 

 

 

 The Barefoot Contessa's Dark Chocolate-dipped Shortbread Cookies

 

 

Homemade Gingerbread Cookies

 

  

They're just the sweetest little things!

 

 

 Decadent Dark Chocolate Truffles and Hazelnut Truffles

 

 

These round little balls are a chocolate lover's DREAM!  I took some of them home for Christmas, and my family went crazy over them!  Best eaten with cold milk.

 

 

 The Barefoot Contessa's Shortbread Cookies

 

 

 Mr. Cozy arranged the cookies so elegantly on the stand.  Thanks for all your help, Honey!

 

 

 Fun Chocolate Dipped, M&M Pretzels Sticks

 

 

Double Chocolate-Peppermint Pretzel Sticks

 

 

Chocolate-Butter Pecan Pretzel Sticks

 

 

Deluxe Peanut Butter Cookies

 with chocolate chips, mini M&Ms and cinnamon chips! 

 

 

Salty Toffee Cracker Candy

A new favorite!

 

 

 These pictures were taken from my iPhone.  I'm pretty impressed with the camera on the 5.  The after dark pictures actually turn out better on it than with our camera.

 

 

Twinkling candles lit to welcome in guests on that cold, rainy night.

 

 

 

 The night was a joyful one!  I made some new "silver" friends and was happy to see some "gold" ones that we've known for some time!  :)

 

Here I am (on the left) with my good friend, Melanie.  Her husband went to med school with mine.  They've been precious friends in this "journey"!

 

God has blessed us with a house and me with more time, so I think the least I can do is invite family and friends come over for parties like these, or just some fresh muffins and coffee!   Christmas is an especially good time to share yourself, your home, and the Lord with others. 

 

We did have some left over cookies, and I sent everyone home with a cute to-go box for them to fill up with treats to eat on over the following days.  With most of the remaining goodies, Mr. Cozy and I boxed up and surprised our Pastor's family and neighbors with the next day!  What's better than receiving some home made goodies to say, I'm thinking about you this Christmas!?

 

Thanks for reading through this looong post of mine!  I appreciate every one of my blog readers and think of you as friends!  I hope you know that if you were close by, you would also be on my Cookies & Cocoa party list!

 

 

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