Italian Pizelle Christmas Cookies. (A repost)

Growing up Italian. It doesn't get any better. In my family, my grandmother would bring us a tray each Christmas filled with her specialties . There was always a nut bread, fruitcake, homemade crescent rolls, and Pizelle cookies.

Pizelles are actually not as fattening as most cookie recipes. They are beautiful, crispy, and on the lighter-tasting side.


Grandma's were always anise-flavored, but vanilla is another popular flavor.

The beautiful design is created from a  Pizelle cookie maker.











You will need:
6 eggs
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
5 cups flour
5 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. anise oil (or pure vanilla extract)


Beat eggs and sugar well. Add melted cooled butter. Add anise oil, then dry ingredients. Mix well with a mixer on med. speed. till smooth.With floured hands, roll dough in ball (2-3 heaping teaspoonfuls). Place dough slightly off center - just a tiny bit back- close lid and cook for about one minute.

*It is okay to open the lid to see if they are done- it will not affect the cookie to check a few times.




They should be slightly golden brown.



They lift very easily off the griddle with spatula.



Cool on a flat surface, then begin stacking them.








These are delicious served just as they are.

They are also great sprinkled with powdered sugar (especially at Christmas time- they'll look like a big snowflake cookie!)

You can also shape them to make a waffle cone for ice cream, but you need the proper form for this. You can form it to the bottom of a cup if let it cool in the cup, then it will be a perfect cup to fill with ice cream, drizzled with chocolate...yummmmm.


Enjoy~ Everything in Moderation

O Balls....A 3-ingredient recipe! (a repost)

An ever-so-simple recipe that even the kids can help make.  These are delicious and  this recipe makes 75! Give them as gifts in a pretty Christmas tin.

My co-worker, Sally, served these in the Lounge at school a couple of years ago, and I had forgotten how simple and delicious they were. Now they are back on my Christmas list of fun treats to make. You can also make them with the MINT Oreos, and the Peanut butter flavored or any flavor of your choice.

A great recipe to make and take to parties.

WARNING! These are very rich! And although there are only three ingredients and no cooking is involved, it is a time-consuming recipe, so allow yourself plenty of prep time, and to speed up the process, enlist the help of friends and family.


YOU WILL NEED:

1 package Oreo cookies(1 lb. 4 oz.) Original flavor or your favorite
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
20 ounces almond bark, melted

Directions:

Crush 1 pkg. Oreo cookies. I put mine in a large freezer bag and hit them with a mallet until finely crumbled.

 Mix with softened cream cheese. Roll into balls; chill.

 Dip in 18-20 oz. melted almond bark or  12 oz. bag white chocolate chips to coat.
You can melt chips in the microwave at 30-second intervals till they are smooth, or use a double boiler on the stove.

 *Put a toothpick in the ball and dip in chocolate.

*You can also crush Oreo's in food processor and add in cream cheese cubes to mix.

 * Chill this mixture before rolling into balls.

*You can drizzle top with chocolate after dipping

Store in an airtight container in the fridge before and after serving.

Enjoy~Everything in Moderation

The Very Best From Momma and Me- Italian Pizelle Cookies

-Photo Jordan Murphy-SQUARED VISION PHOTOGRAPHY

I want to introduce you to the best Southern cook I know. This is my mother, Rose.
My son took this photo of us for a Mother's Day Gift last year.

She is a 75-year-old homemaker extraordinaire.

I'm going to be featuring many of her best recipes that she has passed along to me and I'm here to tell you- if I put her name in the title of a recipe...you need to make it. Her food is ALWAYS delicious! Not necessarily the healthiest dishes, but THE BEST recipes.
This is where moderation is key.

Some are pretty simple, but no matter the time it or technique it takes to put one of her dishes on the table, it's ALWAYS worth it.

My Mom was a stay at home mother while my brother and sister and I were growing up. She cooked 3 times each day- DELICIOUS Homemade breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We rarely ate out.

She loves to cook with lots of real butter, full fat chicken broth and cheesy sauces!

SO, I'm starting off with a traditional Italian pizelle cookie that we made together recently. This recipe was actually passed down from her late mother-in-law, my grandmother Amelia, a wonderful Italian cook.



First, you must have one of these. A Pizelle cookie maker.



But don't dispair if you do not own one. These cookies can also be made on a cookie sheet for the same great flavor, they just won't be as pretty.

You will need:
6 eggs
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
5 cups flour
5 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. anise oil


Beat eggs and sugar well. Add melted cooled butter. Add anise oil, then dry ingredients. Mix well with a mixer on med. speed. till smooth.




With floured hands, roll dogh in ball (2-3 heaping teaspoonfuls). Place dough slightly off center - just a tiny bit back- close lid and cook for about one minute.

*It is okay to open lid to see if they are done- it will not affect the cookie to check a few times.




They should be slightly golden brown.



They lift very easily off the griddle with spatula.



Cool on flat surface, then start stacking them.








These are delicious served just as they are.

They are also great sprinkled with powdered sugar (especially at Christmas time- they'll look like a big snowflake cookie!)

You can also shape them to make a waffle cone for ice cream, but you need the proper form for this. You can form it to the bottom of a cup, let it cool that way, then it will be a perfect cup to fill with ice cream, drizzled with chocolate...yummmmm.

*Remember to take my cookie challenge and share the wealth!

Mom's Famous GFIP Crunchy Oatmeal Pecan Cookies

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND BAKE THIS COOKIE!!!

This is a recipe of my mothers that we have been baking for years, and I'm telling you- if you don't bake another cookie this fall, THIS is the cookie that you need to bake!

Why?

Well, every time we take them anywhere, we come back with an empty plate and people start hounding us for the recipe. I'm serious. They are an addicting cookie. They are not too sweet, and they are crunchy and light (as in airy-NOT non-fat), it keeps you going back for more, and more and more! These are crispy coffee-dunking type cookies.


Do you need to ask someone's forgiveness? Bake them a batch of these cookies. I guarantee they will accept your apology after they eat one.

Is your child on the teacher's bad list at school? Send him/her a batch of these babies and your child is sure to become the teacher's pet!

Is your boss on your case too much? Hand them a cookie or two-I think you'll smell a promotion.

Did you wreck the car and afraid to tell your hubby? Hand him a plate of these and he'll be taking you shopping for a new one!

Not that I have ever lowered myself to manipulating people with a plate of cookies in any of these instances, but I know others who have. (Ahem.)

They are that good.

I have never made them without eating 5 right off the bat. At least five. And really, cookies are not my weakness.

Not convinced yet?

How's this.....the recipe starts with a CAKE MIX! It is a simple secret recipe that I am willing to share. You can thank me later.

If you want to gain friends and influence people...BAKE THESE COOKIES!

Mom's Famous GFAIP (Gain Friends and Influence People) Oatmeal Pecan Cookies

YOU WILL NEED:


*Most of my ingredients here are off-brands and it makes no difference in this recipe. Go ahead and save yourself some $$$.

1 (18.25 oz. box yellow cake mix (you can use an off brand and it is still delicious)
2 cups quick oats, uncooked
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 lg. eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla


Combine first three ingredients in lg. bowl.



Combine oil and eggs; add to dry ingredients, stirring well. Stir in pecans and vanilla.



Drop dough by rounded teaspoonful 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet (I used a melon baller for more uniform cookies).


Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until light brown. Cool on wire rack. Yield 5 dozen cookies.





*Because they are a crunchy cookie, they are GREAT dipped in milk (note: Drink almond milk and save some fat.) They are also great dipped in your coffee.

Now, here's the challenge:
EVERYBODY loves homemade cookies. And ususally, we can't (or don't need to) eat all the cookies that we bake anyway, so why not purposefully bake some extras to giveaway to someone you know who could use a smile.

Maybe it's a elderly neighbor who seems a bit lonely- maybe it's your local firefighters or policemen who could use a thank- you plate. Leave a plate in your breakroom at work for your co-workers to enjoy. Maybe a teen needs some lovin' from the oven to cheer them up. There may be a child you know who would enjoy a homemade cookie. Look around. Somebody may be forever touched by your small gesture.

Announcing a winner and the most requested cookie recipe...

As promised, I will announce the winner of the cookbook giveaway and the cookie recipe most requested from the book in my comment section.

The most requested recipe from the cookbook is:


Grand Slam Triple Chocolate Cookies
Here is the recipe if you want to try them.

I have NOT made these cookies, so if you make them, let me know how they turned out.


You will need:
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/3 c. brown sugar
6 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. + 2 tsp. cocoa powder (if you are making this for a jar recipe gift, clean inside of jar with a paper towel after this layer)
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

Layer ingredients in order given in a wide mouth jar or container. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient.

Attach a gift tag with the following mixing and baking directions:

For 3-4 dozen cookies-

i jar cookie mix
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 T. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In lg. bowl, cream butter, eggs, milk and vanilla. Add cookie mix and stir till well blended. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

The winner of the Cookie- Jar Gifts Cookbook is...

Carrie from Carrie's Cooking Corner!

Congratulations Carrie. When I receive your mailing address, your new cookbook will be shipped to your door!

Thank you to everyone who participated. There will be more upcoming giveaways for the holidays.

My Special Feature and a Special Giveaway

Today I am being featured at Eat at Home so hop over to Tiffany's place to say Hello.

But before you go, be sure to check out this contest!




Just in time for the cool weather baking season, I have been given a book (by my generous cousin Angie) to pass along to one lucky reader of this blog.

The book is filled with delicious cookie recipes and gift tags, for your convenience.
It is a $10.95 value and will be mailed to one lucky winner!

First of all, before you decide that jar gifts are outdated, remember, these gifts don't have to go in the same old mason jars. For a new look and twist on the jar gifts, try placing your mixes in any of these styles which can double for canisters or storing jars to be used later in any room of the house to store treasures.




These are basic styles that can be purchased at Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target. (Be sure to purchase one that is airtight).

These would make wonderful gift ideas to take to someone who is under the weather, or a school teacher, co-worker, birthday , Christmas or congratulations gifts. Everyone appreciates a gift of food that is already organized for them.

Some of the recipes included are:

Grand Slam Triple Chocolate cookie mix
Gourmet Cookies
Raisin Crunch Cookies
Orange slice Cookies
Trail Cookies
White Chocolate Macadamia nut
Oatmeal Scotchies
Candy Bar Cookies
and many more traditional cookie recipes.

The contest starts today, and will end on Sunday Eve. Sept. 27 at 12 PM. Winner will be announced on Monday,Sept. 28 by 9:00 AM (CT).
Winner will be chosen by the old fashioned name in the hat method.

TO ENTER: CLICK HERE.

A Cook Book Giveaway- and Some Great Gift Ideas

Just in time for the cool weather baking season, I have been given a book (by my generous cousin Angie) to pass along to one lucky reader of this blog.

The book is filled with delicious cookie recipes and gift tags, for your convenience.
It is a $10.95 value and will be mailed to one lucky winner!

First of all, before you decide that jar gifts are outdated, remember, these gifts don't have to go in the same old mason jars. For a new look and twist on the jar gifts, try placing your mixes in any of these styles which can double for canisters or storing jars to be used later in any room of the house to store treasures.




These are basic styles that can be purchased at Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target. (Be sure to purchase one that is airtight).

These would make wonderful gift ideas to take to someone who is under the weather, a school teacher, co worker, birthday , Christmas or congratulations gifts. Everyone appreciates a gift of food that is already organized for them.

Some of the recipes included are:

Grand Slam Triple Chocolate cookie mix
Gourmet Cookies
Raisin Crunch Cookies
Orange slice Cookies
Trail Cookies
White Chocolate Macadamia nut
Oatmeal Scotchies
Candy Bar Cookies
and many more traditional cookie recipes.

The contest starts today, and will end on Sunday Eve. Sept. 27 . Winner will be announced Monday 28 by 9:00 AM.
Winner will be chosen by the old fashioned name in the hat method.

Here's how you enter:

For one chance to win, simply leave a comment telling me which cookie recipe from the above list you would like to try.
(I will post that recipe after the contest).

For two chances to win: Follow this blog.

For three chances to win: Put a link to this contest on your sidebar.

For Four chances to win: Post about this contest.

For 5 or more chances to win: Send others this way. Any commenter who mentions your name will help you earn another chance to win. CONTEST IS OPEN TO CONTINENTAL US RESIDENTS ONLY.

Three Ingredient Thursday- Peanut Butter Cookies

Cheap, easy and quick!

These are a tasty, crunchy peanut butter cookie.
I was told these were the original cookies the young girl scouts would learn to make.  Not sure if that's true but this would be a great starter cookie for a child to learn.

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Mix all together and drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet by rounded tablespoonfuls. Press down with a fork in a crisscrossed pattern and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Grab yourself a glass of milk enjoy!