1 cup pecan halves, toasted
1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp brown sugar
1-3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. salt Flour, for dusting work surface 1 lb. puff pastry (or 1 17.3-oz. package), thawed 1 large egg, lightly beaten


Combine the pecans, sugars, cinnamon and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is very finely chopped and resembles coarse sand.

On lightly floured parchment paper, roll the puff pastry out into an 11 x 20-inch rectangle (or two smaller separate rectangle if pastry doesn't easily seal together). Transfer the rolled out pastry on the parchment to a baking sheet, cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel, and refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes.

Remove the dough from the fridge. Brush the dough evenly with the beaten egg. Sprinkle the pecan-sugar mixture evenly over the top, pressing gently into the dough. Starting with the short side of the dough (or long side if two separate sheets), roll up into a spiraled log to enclose the filling. Roll the log tightly in parchment or plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes (stays well overnight in fridge as well).

Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the dough into slices about 3/4-inch thick. Generously sprinkle a work surface with sugar (or cinnamon sugar – your call). Use a rolling pin to roll each slice to a diameter of about 6 or 7 inches (about 4 inches if two separate rolls), adding more sugar as needed to prevent sticking. Place the rolled cookies on parchment lined baking sheets, 3-4 per sheet (or more if smaller cookies). Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until the cookies are light golden, about 18 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets slightly. Carefully transfer to a wire rack and let cool before serving.


12 large cookies or 2-3 dozen smaller cookies


Quick & Easy Recipes

1-1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 cups crisp rice cereal
1 lb milk chocolate chips or bar


In a large kettle, combine the peanut butter and butter and heat over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, sifted powdered sugar and cereal. Stir to combine. Roll into 1" balls or use Pampered Chef Small Scoop, and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. If they are sticking to your hands, run your hands under cold water—it helps! Freeze or refrigerate until firm. Note: For nicely shaped balls, freeze for about 10-15 minutes, then remove from freezer and roll again into smooth balls. Return to freezer until firm.

Using a double boiler or a metal bowl placed over a kettle of boiling water, melt the chocolate and wax (if using). Wax helps make a traditional glossy, thin, easy coating. Just chocolate will be thicker. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and dip each ball into the chocolate until coated. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets to cool. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.


60


Penzeys


Servings 30; Serving Size 2 peanut butter balls (38g); Calories 200; Calories from fat 110; Total fat 13g; Cholesterol 5mg; Sodium 80mg; Carbohydrate 20g; Dietary Fiber <1g; Sugars 15g; Protein 4g

1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar


In large bowl, mix oil, chocolate, granulated sugar and vanilla. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray.

Drop dough by teaspoonfuls (or I use Pampered Chef small scoop) into powdered sugar; roll around to coat and shape into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly in center. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.


5 dozen


Betty Crocker


Calories 70, Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium 35mg, Potassium 20mg, Total Carbohydrate 10g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Protein 1g

ingredients

Butter and flour for the timbale molds
3-1/2 oz (3/4 cup) all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp kosher salt
3 large eggs
1-1/2 cups plus 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
24 Tbsp (3 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly warm
6 oz semisweet chocolate (55%), chopped into pieces or use chocolate chips
Confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
2. Butter and flour 12 timbale molds* (Bouchon Bakery uses 2-ounce Fleximolds and serves smaller bouchons. You can also use 3-ounce [2- to 2 1/2-inch diameter] timbale molds for larger cakes.) Set aside.
3. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt into a bowl; set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs and sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes, or until very pale in color. Mix in the vanilla. On low speed, add about one-third of the dry ingredients, then one-third of the butter, and continue alternating with the remaining flour and butter. Add the chocolate and mix to combine. (The batter can be refrigerated for up to a day.)
4. Put the timbale molds on a baking sheet. Place the batter in a pastry bag without a tip, and fill each mold about two-thirds full. Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. When the tops look shiny and set (like a brownie), test one cake with a toothpick: It should come out clean but not dry (there may be some melted chocolate from the chopped chocolate). Transfer the bouchons to a cooling rack. After a couple of minutes, invert the timbale molds and let the bouchons cool upside down in the molds; then lift off the molds.
5. To serve, invert the bouchons and dust them with confectioners' sugar. Serve with ice cream if desired. (The bouchons are best eaten the day they are baked.)

36 servings (with my bouchon mold)


Bouchon Bakery via Delish


*I purchased my bouchon mold from Williams Sonoma.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Additional powdered sugar (about 3/4 cup)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. In a Small Batter Bowl, combine the flour, pecans, cinnamon, and salt; mix well and set aside.
2. In a Classic Batter Bowl, beat the butter and sugars on medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add the vanilla; beat well. Gradually add the pecan/flour mixture to the butter mixture; beat on low speed just until dry ingredients are incorporated.
3. Using a Small Scoop, drop level scoops of dough, 1" apart, onto a Rectangle Stone. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the cookies are set, but not brown. Remove the cookies to a Stackable Cooling Rack; cool 5 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, roll them in additional powdered sugar to coat. Cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.

4 dozen


Pampered Chef


Servings of 2 cookies. Calories 160, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Carbohydrate 15 g, Protein 2 g, Sodium 100 mg, Fiber less than 1 g

Nonstick cooking oil spray
1 very ripe medium banana
1/3 cup canola oil
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups quick-cooking (not instant) oatmeal or rolled oats
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray two baking sheets with oil. In a mixing bowl, mash banana well. Add oil, sugar and vanilla, and mix with a strong fork. Add flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, and mix until just moistened.

Add oatmeal and chocolate chips. Using your hands or a sturdy spoon, mix well, making sure oats are well moistened. (If dough is very slippery, add one or two extra tablespoons flour.)

Using clean, wet hands, re-wetting as needed, roll dough into balls slightly smaller than a golf ball, about 1-1/3 inches in diameter (I use the Pampered Chef's medium scoop). Flatten slightly and place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes (14 minutes on stoneware). Remove from heat and allow to cool for 2 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.


About 24 servings


New York Times Cooking

1 red velvet cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 pkg Jell-O instant white chocolate pudding (3.3 ounces)
6 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 pkg Oreos
8 oz pkg cream cheese
1/2 pkg (1/2 lb) chocolate bark (CandiQuick) (or about 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips)
Mini chocolate chips for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine cake mix, melted butter, eggs, pudding mix, vegetable oil and mix well until thoroughly combined (2-3 minutes on medium of electric mixer).
2. Spray a 9x13 with nonstick cooking spray. I like the baking variety that has flour in it. Then spread the red velvet brownie layer into the pan. It will be VERY thick, use the back of a spoon (or clean hands) to help spread it into all edges of the pan.
3. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean (ovens vary so watch closely). Let cool completely before flipping out.
4. Crush package of Oreos in a food processor (or in a large plastic bag and rolling pin).
5. Melt cream cheese for 15 seconds in a microwave to soften.
6. Stir together crushed Oreos and cream cheese until blended smooth.
7. Carefully spread out Oreo truffle mixture on top of baked red velvet brownies. Use your hands to help press it down instead of spreading to avoid tearing the brownies.
8. Melt chocolate candy bark (or chocolate chips) and pour over top Oreo truffle layer.
9. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips while still warm.
10. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Pizzazzerie

2 sticks of butter
1 cup of light brown sugar
1 bag of square pretzels (you'll use about 3/4 of the bag)
12 ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Sea salt


Preheat the oven to 400˚F.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, cover with pretzels.

In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium-low heat. When it begins to bubble add the brown sugar. Stirring occasionally let the butter/sugar mixture meld together and brown. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Do NOT let it boil, you will have sticky goo that is no good. When you have a nice, brown caramel pour it over the pretzels, slowly and evenly. You can then use a spatula to spread it out, you have to work quickly and gently. It hardens fast so even pouring is the best method.

Bake the sheet for 5 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven and sprinkle the whole bag of chocolate chips evenly over the mixture. Place back in the oven for about 45 seconds. If you let it sit there too long the chocolate will burn. Remove from the oven and use a silicone spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly spread the chocolate over the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.

Once chilled, break into pieces.


Avocado Pardo

1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup raisins


Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.


4 dozen


Quaker Oats

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup flour
2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pecan halves, finely chopped
Powdered sugar


Preheat oven to 350°F. For tart shells, beat butter and cream cheese in Classic Batter Bowl until well blended. Add flour; mix until a soft dough forms.

Using Small Scoop, shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls of dough into ungreased cups of Deluxe Mini-Muffin Pan. Dip Mini-Tart Shaper in flour; press into dough with even pressure until dough rises slightly above rim of pan.

For filling, place butter in Small Batter Bowl; microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Finely chop pecans using Food Chopper; add to batter bowl and mix well.

Using Small Scoop, fill each tart shell with level scoop of filling (do not overfill). Bake 20-25 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven; cool in pan 3 minutes. Remove from pan to Stackable Cooling Rack; cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.


24 servings


Pampered Chef, All The Best


Butter will provide the best flavor when making these rich miniature tarts.

You'll want to be sure to lightly flour the Mini-Tart Shaper before forming each shell to prevent the dough from sticking.

To store tarts, cool completely, then place in a tightly covered container. For longer storage, freeze up to 1 month. To thaw, let the tarts stand at room temperature. You may want to sprinkle the tarts with additional powdered sugar before serving.

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp salt
1 cup Wesson oil
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups + 4 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar


Cream together butter and sugars. Beat eggs and salt together, then add to butter/sugar mixture. Add oil and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking soda and cream of tartar, and add to above mixture. Roll a teaspoon of the dough into a ball. Press cookies to about 2 inches flat with an ornate pattern (bottom of old-fashioned glass). Bake at 350˚F for about 8 to 10 minutes. If you intend to roll the dough and cut out the cookies, refrigerate dough for an hour.


7 dozen


The Milwaukee Journal (circa 1950s or 1960s)

1 cup butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour, sifted
Powdered sugar, as needed


Cream butter; add sugar gradually. Blend in salt, vanilla and flour. Mixture is stiff.

Our family tradition was to roll out the dough to 1/8-1/4” thick and cut with cookie cutters (leaves, moons, stars and bells are our favs), or you can roll into 1" balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 400˚F about 12 minutes.

Roll in powdered sugar immediately after removing from oven. Once batch is rolled in sugar, roll in powdered sugar a second time.


4 dozen


Wisconsin Electric cookbook (circa 1960s)

1 package Keebler crackers
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter or margarine
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter


Grease 9x13-inch pan; place crackers on bottom of pan (cover complete bottom).

In saucepan over low heat, mix sugars, milk, margarine and graham crackers. Boil for 5 minutes. Spread over crackers. Add another layer of crackers.

Melt butterscotch chips, milk chocolate chips and peanut butter until smooth. Pour over bars and chill.


16 servings


Friend

1/2 cup crunchy-style peanut butter
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
6 oz pkg chocolate morsels


Preheat oven to 375°F. Measure peanut butter, shortening and brown sugar into Classic Batter Bowl using Measure-All® Cup. Add granulated sugar, egg and vanilla; beat until thoroughly combined.

In Small Batter Bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to peanut butter mixture; mix well. Stir in chocolate morsels. Using Medium Scoop, drop batter 2 inches apart onto Rectangle Stone. Bake 10-15 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes; remove cookies to Stackable Cooling Rack to cool.


4 dozen


Pampered Chef

1/2 cup Karo syrup
1/3 cup evaporated milk
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (18 oz)
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 tsp vanilla


Spray 8" square baking pan with cooking spray.

In microwaveable 3-quart bowl, stir corn syrup and evaporated milk until smooth. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir in chocolates until melted.

Add confectioners sugar, vanilla and nuts. With wooden spoon, beat until thick and glossy.

Spread in prepared pan. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.


Friend