Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Use your fave cookie recipe (works well with the "really yummy chocolate chip cookie" recipe below) and instead of chocolate chips, unwrap Andes Mints chop them up, and add them to the batter...we love these cookies around Christmas!!

Really Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies

1lb butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 c. brown sugar
4 tablespoons vanilla
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons baking soda
6 cups flour
4 cups chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla, eggs, and soda. Blend flour well. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake @ 350 for 5-7 minutes. Makes 4-5 dozen.

*I just started using this recipe and they turn out fantastic. I get lots of compliments on them (even though they are just chocolate chip cookies). Try em' they might be your new favorite too*

Soft Sugar Cookies & Frosting

Beat:
1 cup butter (softened)
2 c. sugar

Then add:
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine in a separate bowl:
5 cups flour (or more for right consistency)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. baking powder

I like to refrigerate the dough for an hour. It makes the dough more manageable. Roll out on floured surface and cut out shapes or press into a pizza pan for a fruit pizza crust. Bake cookies at 375 degrees for 5-10 minutes depending on thickness. Baked cookies will have lots of "bubbles" throughout and will not look brown. The pizza crust will take a few minutes longer.

Fruit Pizza Topping:
1 7oz jar of marshmallow creme and an 8 oz pkg of cream cheese. Beat on high until it is smooth. Place on cooled cookies crust and add sliced fruit.

Frosting for Sugar Cookies:
1/3 cup Softened Butter
4 cups Powdered Sugar
1/4 cup milk (or more for right consistency)
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp. Almond Extract
Pinch of Salt

In mixer: slowly mix butter & powdered sugar. Add milk & continue to beat. Then add vanilla, almond & salt. If needed add more milk for spreading consistency. Then add food coloring for desired color.

PUPMKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

These are the easiest, and are tasty!

1 box spice cake mix
1 can of pumpkin
1 bag chocolate chips

Mix together and bake @ 350 until firm (about 12-15 minutes)

Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

These remind me of the fall time because of the great spices in them. They are pretty healthy too, no butter (well....healthier). Use canola oil so you don't have any trans or saturated fats. They are a 'puffy' cookie similar to pumpkin cookies, so don't be surprised when they don't flatten out like traditional oatmeal cookies.

In a large bowl mix:
1 box brown sugar
4 eggs
1 3/4 cup oil
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla

In another bowl, mix dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cup nuts
2 cup raisins
1 package chocolate chips
4 cups quick oats
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda

Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Lightly grease cookie sheet, and drop by tablespoons. Bake @ 400 until firm or lightly browned.

*this recipe makes 10 dozen*** (since the cookies are 'healthy' you can eat 1 dozen yourself =)