Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 16.25 ounce white cake mix
2 eggs

1/2 c. oil

1 c. mini chocolate chips

In a medium bowl, by hand stir together the cake mix, eggs and vegetable oil and chocolate chips.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 45 minutes.

Using a cookie scoop, scoop out dough onto baking sheet, spacing the mounds at least 2 inches apart. 

Bake the cookies in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes until they are pale golden. Remove them from the oven.

*8 minutes in my oven

*makes 30 cookies

Mint Brownies

Source:  Alison B.

INGREDIENTS

2 boxes of Ghirardelli Brownie Mix (triple chocolate)

Mint Frosting:

2 2/3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup softened butter

4 tsp. water

1 tsp peppermint extract

4 drops green food coloring

Chocolate glaze:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (heaping)

1/2 c. butter

DIRECTIONS

Make Brownies in a 9x13 pan as directed on mix.

Let brownies cool for 10-15 min. and frost with mint frosting while warm.
Refrigerate until mint frosting sets
Glaze with chocolate

NOTES

During the holidays top with crushed candy cane

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

Source:  ourbestbites.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cups mini chocolate chips
2 12-ounce bags chocolate chips
1/4 cup coconut oil (or vegetable oil)

Instructions:

Cream together the butter and brown sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Alternately add the sweetened condensed milk and the flour and mix until combined. Add the chocolate chips. Chill the dough for 1 hour.

Using a 1 1/2 teaspoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough and then roll each portion into a ball and place on a lined cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer and freeze for 1 hour.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and the coconut oil. Heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each 30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth. Dip the frozen cookie dough balls in the chocolate and allow to harden. If desired, drizzle leftover chocolate over the truffles. Best served cold. Makes a LOT (like well over 100 truffles).

Bacon Chicken Ranch Sliders

Source:  ourbestbites.com

• 1 package (12 rolls) Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon powdered Hidden Valley Ranch mix
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or   colbyjack)
• 3/4 cup cooked, diced or shredded chicken
• 6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Without separating rolls, cut entire "loaf" in half like giant sandwich and open-side up on baking sheet.
3. In a small bowl, combine mayo and ranch mix. Spread mixture on both sides of rolls. Sprinkle half the cheese on the bottom half of the rolls, top with chicken, and then bacon, and then remaining cheese. Place top half of rolls on, sandwiching them together. Cover rolls with foil and place in oven for 20-30 minutes, until cheese is melted throughout.
4. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a cutting board and slicing individual rolls.

Chocolate Chip Cookies - Perfected

Source:  Allyson G.

1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 t. salt, heaping
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
4 1/8 c. flour
12 oz. chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugars.  Add in eggs and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 8 minutes.
I prefer to bake them from a frozen state - they hold their shape better.

Cinnamon Rolls

Source:  ourbestbites.com
Time:  1.5 hours (if rising is done in a warm oven)

Dough

1 cup milk

4 Tbs butter, cut into chunks

3 1/4 – 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1 (.25 ounce) package instant or ‘rapid rise’ yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

Filling

1 cup brown sugar, packed*

1 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butter, softened (NOT MELTED)

Icing

1 1/2 C powdered sugar
2 T melted butter (NOT SOFTENED)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1-2 Tbs milk

Dough: Place milk and 4 Tbs butter in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on high for 1 minute 30 seconds. Butter should be at least partially melted. Stir and set aside. In a large mixing bowl whisk together 2 C flour, yeast, white sugar, and salt. When milk mixture has cooled to warm (not hot) add it to the flour mixture along with the egg while the beater (paddle attachment for those using a stand mixer) is running. Beat until well combined, about 1 minute. (Switch to the dough hook now) Add remaining flour only until dough barely leaves the sides of the bowl. It should be very soft and slightly sticky. Continue to let the dough knead for 5 minutes. If you are not using a stand mixer, turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for 5 minutes by hand. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and let rest for about 10 minutes while you make the filling.Filling: make sure butter is softened well. Mix with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Assembly: Roll dough into a rectangle about 12 x 14 inches. Spread brown sugar mixture (it will be slightly thick, you might have to “crumble” it) over the surface and use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gently spread around. Roll up from the longer side of the rectangle and pinch edges closed. Score the roll into 12 equal pieces and then cut into rolls. Place in a 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover pan with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.** In the mean time, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

When rolls have finished rising bake for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown.*  If desired spread with icing while still warm. Makes 12 rolls.

*I just made these and thought they were too sweet, and also grainy.  Next time i will decrease the brown sugar to 3/4 c.  I think this will solve both my problems.
*UPDATE:  I made these with 3/4 c. brown sugar and I thought they weren't sweet enough!  urgggg!  Next time I'm going to go back to 1 c. and just make sure the sugar is mixed into the butter well.

** I put them in a 170 degree oven for 35 minutes to get these to rise enough. 

*They need about 13 minutes in my oven.  Unless it's coming from 170 degrees.  Then they need about 10 minutes.

M&M Kissed Pretzels

There’s not much of a recipe for these pretzel bites .... square pretzels with a Hershey’s kiss or hug on top.  I bake them for 5 minutes or so at 170°.  I just keep checking them to see when they’re melty enough push the M&M into.  You want them melty enough to push it into, but not so melty that it looses its shape.  Then just top them all with an M&M. They’re the best because M&M’s come out in different colors all year for seasons and holidays.  And they’re so simple!