Snickerdoodle Cookies

I have another sweet treat for you! I know, where's the real food, right? Lately I have been trying out a lot of new recipes. Some have been winners, others...not so much. I have quite a few more new recipes on my list to try out, so I will definitely be sharing those with you soon, I promise!
I made these cookies for Ryan to bring to work with him. He's a police officer, and let me tell you those guys love it when I send cookies. Apparently they go great with the gallons of coffee they all drink every night. These were the first snickerdoodles I had ever made and they were so simple it's almost ridiculous. They came out perfectly, soft and chewy and cinnamon-y. I made sure to keep a few for myself, but just a few, they aren't exactly "diet" cookies after all. But if you're feeling indulgent or you need an easy cookie to make for a bake sale or school function, you should definitely go with these cookies. And stay tuned for some new savory recipes coming soon!

Snickerdoodle Cookies

From: ItsyBitsyFoodies

Cookie Dough:

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

tsp salt

1 ½ cups sugar

2 ½ cups flour

2 tsp cream of tartar

Cinnamon-Sugar Mix:

4 Tbsp sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Cream the butter and the sugar.

2. Mix in the rest of the ingredients and roll the cookie dough into balls.

3. Roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

4. Place the rolled balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave as balls because they will flatten as they bake.

5.Bake the cookies at for 10 to 15 minutes. The bottoms should be light golden. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Move to a cooling rack to finish cooling. They will set as they cool.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.



Applesauce Spice Bars

I love Fall. It is my most favorite season. I love the colors, the flavors, and of course the cooler weather. Sadly, this wonderful season only lasts about a month here in Texas. We usually go from super hot to super cold with just that very short break in the middle which we all refer to as Fall. The super hot temps that we have had this summer are finally dropping, so I decided it was time to get a head start on some of those Fall flavors. These Applesauce Spice Bars were just perfect and so easy to make. Go ahead and celebrate the cooler weather with this easy dessert. If you have survived the type of summer heat that I have this year, you definitely deserve it.

Applesauce Spice Bars
Adapted from: allrecipes.com

Bars:
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup applesauce
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Icing:
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
1-2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar and egg until smooth. Stir in applesauce. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon; stir into the applesauce mixture until well blended. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are golden. Cool in the pan over a wire rack.

4. In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar and margarine. Stir in vanilla and milk until smooth. Spread over cooled bars before cutting into squares.

Baked Chicken Croquettes

I've been presented with a challenge lately, by none other than my 15-month old, Jacob. My once happy I'll-eat-any-pureed-thing-you-shove-in-my-mouth baby has turned into a head-shaking, tight-lipped, I-don't-like-anything-but-cheese-bread-and-grapes toddler. So I have been on a mission to create healthy foods that he will eat, and not know that the healthy stuff is in there. I found this recipe for Baked Chicken Croquettes over at SkinnyTaste.com and thought it sounded perfect for Jacob, as well as an easy dinner for me and my husband. I served them with an easy chicken gravy and some green beans (my veggie of choice) and it was a great meal for everyone. Jacob loved the croquettes so I know that it is something I will be making again!

Baked Chicken Croquettes

Adapeted from: SkinnyTaste

3 cooked chicken breast, chopped fine (I used a food processor)

3 potatoes, peeled, cooked and mashed

3/4 cup fat free chicken broth, divided

2 tsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

salt and fresh pepper

1/2 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs

1 egg, whisked
olive oil spray (about 1 tbsp)

1.Preheat oven to 450°. In a large bowl, mash potatoes with 1/4 cup broth, salt and pepper. Set aside.

2. Saute garlic, and onions in oil on low heat. Add parsley, salt and pepper and cook until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add chicken, and remaining broth, mix well and shut heat off. Add chicken to mashed potatoes and using your clean hands mix well. Taste for salt and adjust if needed.

3. Measure 1/4 cup of mixture then form into croquettes. Place on waxed paper. Repeat with remaining mixture.

4. Dip each croquette in egg wash, then breadcrumbs and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet for easy cleanup. Spray generously with olive oil spray (about 1 tbsp worth). Bake in the oven about 15 minutes, or until golden.

Chicken Gravy
From: MyRecipes.com 

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 (10 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth, undiluted

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons dried minced onion

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Whisk in broth and remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 2 minutes or until mixture thickens.