No-Bake Cookies

Now, I know these cookies are probably the easiest cookies to bake, but finding a good recipe can be challenging since there are so many versions of this cookie out there. I tried a different recipe before these that called for marshmallows. They were good, but had more of that marshmallow flavor than the deep chocolate flavor that I love so much. So, I found this recipe and in my opinion, they turned out great. For that deeper chocolate flavor, I added dark chocolate cocoa instead of regular cocoa and I liked it much better.

No-Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar

4 tablespoons cocoa (I used dark chocolate cocoa)

1/2 cup milk

1 stick butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

Put sugar, cocoa, milk and butter in a pan and boil for 1 1/2 minutes. Add peanut butter, vanilla and oats. Boil for 2 1/2 minutes or longer, stirring frequently. Drop on wax paper or buttered cookie sheet.

Po Po Whips

I received this recipe from my brother-in-law who is a police officer. They really didn't have a name so I decided that I would name them after him. Po Po Whips. (Hope you don't mind, Russell) =0)

They are SUPER easy to fix and you can decide on what flavor you want. You'll see in the recipe below...

PoPo Whips

Preheat oven to 350º.

1 box of cake mix (any flavor)

1 egg

1 regular sized tub of cool whip topping, thawed (no fat free kind)

Whip it all together, spoon out onto greased cookie sheets, cook for 15-20 minutes and voilá! Instant cookies!

I ended up using golden yellow cake mix and threw in 2 cups of chocolate chips. Think of all the endless possibilities!

Thank you, Russell, for your great recipe!! Love you!

Giant Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Skill Level: Easy
Makes: 9 cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
16 miniature peanut butter cups, cut into fourths

Preheat oven to 350º

Beat butter, sugar and peanut butter in medium bowl until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture; blend well. Drop dough by level 1/4 cup measurements onto ungreased cookie sheets; three cookies per sheet. Push about seven pieces of peanut butter cup into each cookie, flattening cookie slightly.

Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until light golden brown around edges. Centers will be pale and lightly soft. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet. Remove to wire rack; cool completely.

Oatmeal Toffee Cookie

Skill Level: Easy
Makes: 4 dozen

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 3/4 (10 oz. bag) toffee bits
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes (optional)

Preheat oven to 375º

Lightly grease cookie sheet. Beat butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; beat until blended.

Stir in oats, toffee and coconut, if desired, with spoon. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto prepared sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove to wire rack.

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie

Skill Level: Easy
Makes: 5 dozen

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 small box of vanilla Jello
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 package (12 oz.) semi-sweet morsels

Preheat oven to 375º

Combine flour, baking soda, salt and vanilla Jello in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Double Chocolate Cookies

Skill Level: Easy
Makes: 5 dozen

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Hershey’s cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda

Heat oven to 375ºF.

Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs; beat well.

Stir together flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well until well blended. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Add your choice of chips
Chocolate
Mint
White Chocolate
Peanut Butter
Toffee
etc.