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December 1, 2020 · 7:24 am

Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies (Bars & Brownies): Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

Welcome to the 12th Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies! This year, I am focusing on brownies, blondies, and other bar cookies.

A note about cooking bar cookies: If you have trouble with burned edges and raw centers, try using a metal pan instead of a glass or ceramic pan. This is especially true of bigger pans, 9×13” or larger. You can also bake the batter in 2 smaller square pans instead of one larger one to get more evenly baked bars and brownies.

DAY 1: Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

This is an easy to make dressed-up brownie dessert that starts with a boxed brownie mix. Raspberry jam is swirled into both the brownie layer and the cheesecake layer.

RECIPE:

Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

Servings: 24
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Brownie Layer:
1 box (20 oz) Ghirardelli brownie mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup water
1 cup seedless raspberry jam, divided

Cheesecake Layer:
4 oz white chocolate
12 oz (1 ½ pkg) cream cheese, softened
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare baking pan: Grease a 9×13” baking dish, spray with nonstick baking spray, or line pan with non-stick foil.

Brownie Layer:
Prepare brownie batter as directed on box, using 2 eggs and 1/3 cup each oil and water. Pour into prepared baking pan.

Heat raspberry jam in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Drizzle ½ cup of the jam over the brownie batter. Swirl with a knife.

Cheesecake Layer:
Place white chocolate in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat in 20 second increments, stirring, until white chocolate is melted. Add cream cheese to mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Beat in sugar. Beat in eggs until just combined. Carefully pour over brownie batter layer. Drizzle remaining ½ cup of the jam over the cheesecake batter. Swirl with a knife.

Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until barely set and center begins to puff. Cool completely, and then chill for 2-3 hours. Cut into squares.

Makes about 24 squares

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December 12, 2019 · 6:06 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Loaded Chocolate Chip Sandies

DAY 12: Loaded Chocolate Chip Sandies

A crispy cookie loaded with chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, oats, and crushed Chex cereal. All of your favorite things packed into a hand-held treat!

RECIPE:

Loaded Chocolate Chip Sandies

Servings: 4 dozen
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup crushed Chex cereal (corn or rice)
1 ½ cups chocolate chips
½ cup shredded coconut
½ cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, oil, and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat into butter/sugar mixture, until just mixed. Beat in oats, crushed cereal, chocolate chips, coconut, and walnuts.

Let dough sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping.

Using a cookie scoop, place level scoops of dough on baking sheets, about 2” apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool 2-3 minutes on the baking sheets and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

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Tagged as cereal, Chex, chocolate chip, christmas, coconut, Cookies, oatmeal, recipe, sandies

December 11, 2019 · 8:34 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Mint Chocolate M&M’s Cookies

DAY 11: Mint Chocolate M&M’s Cookies

Chocolate and mint are the perfect Christmas flavor combination. You can top these chocolate cookies with your choice of holiday M&M’s. These are my favorites:

My very favorite are the all-green “Dark Chocolate Mint” flavor, but they can be hard to find. The “Holiday Mint” flavor is a good substitute, and come with a brighter Christmas color variety.

RECIPE:

Mint Chocolate M&M’s Cookies

Servings: 3 dozen
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2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup butter
2 ½ cups flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¼ cup butter
1 cup sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbs milk or cream
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 bag (10 oz) M&M’s (Holiday Mint or Dark Chocolate Mint flavor)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Combine chocolate chips and ¼ cup butter in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until just barely melted. Or melt in microwave in a Pyrex bowl.

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until well mixed. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat ¼ cup butter with the white and brown sugars. Mix in eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat in melted chocolate. Add dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and beat until just barely combined.

Drop by tablespoonsful onto baking sheets. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. While cookies are still warm, press 3-4 M&M’s onto the top of each cookie. Remove cookies to wire rack to cool.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

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December 10, 2019 · 8:43 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Maple Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

DAY 10: Maple Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

These are my new favorite cookie. They are chewy, just like an oatmeal cookie should be, with a maple caramel flavor from the maple extract, brown sugar, and toffee bits, which melt into the cookie as they bake.

RECIPE:

Maple Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

Servings: 3 dozen
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½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp maple extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups flour
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
¾ cup toffee bits (½ of an 8 oz pkg of Heath Toffee Bits)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until very light and fluffy. Beat at least 3 full minutes. Beat in eggs, maple and vanilla extracts. Beat in flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat in oats, walnuts, and toffee bits.

Drop by level tablespoonfuls (2-inches apart) onto baking sheets. Bake for 9-10 minutes. Cool on pans for 2-3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.

Makes 3 dozen

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December 9, 2019 · 5:23 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

DAY 9: Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Nothing says Christmas cheer like Sprinkles! These are sure to please both kids and adults.

RECIPE:

Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Servings: 2-3 dozen small cookies
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp cream of tartar
¼ tsp salt
About ½ cup Christmas sprinkle candies

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.

Using a cookie scoop, place level scoops on baking sheets, about 2” apart. Roll scoops of dough into 1” balls, then roll dough balls in sprinkles and return to baking sheet.

Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until baked through, but still pale. Don’t overbake. Remove baking sheet from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes on baking sheet before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 2-3 dozen small cookies

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December 8, 2019 · 8:50 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

DAY 8: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut butter=Protein; Oatmeal=Whole Grain. That makes these healthy, right? Whatever you tell yourself, these are worth the calories.

RECIPE:

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Servings: 6 dozen
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
2 ½ cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 ½ cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in peanut butter. Gradually beat in flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Beat in oats and chocolate chips.

Using a cookie scoop, place level scoops on baking sheets, about 2” apart.

Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until baked through. Cool on wire racks.

Makes 6 dozen cookies

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December 7, 2019 · 8:41 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Slow Roasted Spiced Almonds

DAY 7: Slow Roasted Spiced Almonds

Not a cookie, but perfect for Christmas snacking when you need something savory to counterbalance all of the sugar. These also make a great gift for friends and neighbors.

RECIPE:

Slow Roasted Spiced Almonds

Servings: 18 ½-cup servings
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¼ cup coconut oil or butter
4 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs Sriracha
1 ½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground mustard
9 cups (3 lb) whole raw almonds

Preheat oven to 250°F.

In a Pyrex measuring cup, melt coconut oil or butter in the microwave. Stir in seasonings. Place almonds in a large mixing bowl and pour seasoning mixture over the nuts. Stir with a rubber spatula until nuts are well coated.

Spread nuts in a single layer on a very large baking sheet (or use 2 medium baking sheets). Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Taste nuts and sprinkle with additional sea salt (½ – 1 tsp), to taste. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet, stirring occasionally.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Makes 9 cups

NOTE: Almonds can also be roasted at 350°F for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.

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Tagged as almonds, appetizer, christmas, keto, lighttheworld, low carb, neighbor gift, recipe, roasted almonds, roasted nuts, savory, snack

December 6, 2019 · 5:35 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Coconut Cornflake Sandies

DAY 6: Coconut Cornflake Sandies

For those that like their cookies crisp, these are perfect: crispy, but not dry or crumbly. And a great way to use up some cornflakes in the cabinet that no one wants to finish.

RECIPE:

Coconut Cornflake Sandies

Servings: 4 dozen cookies
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup crushed cornflakes cereal
½ cup shredded coconut
½ cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, oil, and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat into butter/sugar mixture, until just mixed. Beat in oats, crushed cereal, coconut, and pecans.

Let dough sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping.

Using a cookie scoop, place level scoops of dough on baking sheets, about 2” apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool 2-3 minutes on the baking sheets and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

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December 5, 2019 · 6:11 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Raspberry Almond Thumbprints

DAY 5: Raspberry Almond Thumbprints

The cookie base for these thumbprints is a light shortbread dough. Fill with your favorite jam. We love seedless raspberry or apricot jam. I always add a little more jam after baking so they are “jam packed” with filling.

RECIPE:

Raspberry Almond Thumbprints

Servings: 4 dozen small cookies
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp almond extract
2 cups flour
¼ tsp salt
About ½ – ¾ cup seedless raspberry jam

Glaze:
½ cup powdered sugar
2-3 tsp milk
½ tsp almond extract

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in almond extract. Gradually beat in flour and salt.

Using a small cookie scoop (2 tsp capacity), place level scoops on baking sheets, about 2” apart (I can get 20 cookies on a baking sheet). Roll scoops of dough into balls; return to baking sheet. Using the back of a ½ teaspoon measuring spoon, make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Fill each indentation with about ¼ teaspoon jam.

Bake for 12-13 minutes, or until baked through, but still pale. Don’t overbake. Remove baking sheet from oven and let sit for one minute. If desired, add a small amount of additional jam to the centers of the cookies. Cool cookies completely on wire racks.

Glaze:
Combine the powdered sugar, 2 tsp milk, and almond extract in a small bowl. Stir with a whisk until smooth, adding additional milk if necessary. Place glaze in a Ziploc bag; poke hole in one corner with a toothpick or skewer. Drizzle glaze over the cooled cookies.

NOTES:

For easier filling, heat jam for 20 seconds in the microwave before adding to centers of cookies.
Apricot and peach jams also make good fillings
Keep the dough covered when you are not working with it, or it will dry out and your cookies will have more cracks

Makes about 4 dozen small cookies

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December 4, 2019 · 7:57 am

Eleventh Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Oatmeal Coconut Cookies

DAY 4: Oatmeal Coconut Cookies

Coconut helps to keep these oatmeal cookies soft and chewy without overwhelming the flavor. A simple, but delicious, cookie. You can add additional stir-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, but certain people in our family like them best just plain.

Recipe adapted from LilLuna

RECIPE:

Oatmeal Coconut Cookies

Servings: 4 dozen cookies
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1 cup shredded coconut
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups rolled oats

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat in coconut. Gradually beat in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat in rolled oats.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared pans, leaving about 2” between cookies. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 3-4 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 4 dozen cookies

OPTIONAL: add chocolate or butterscotch chips, or chopped nuts

Recipe adapted from LilLuna