Fossils - "the bones of the dinosaurs that they left when they fell in the mud". That's Levi's definition. Not bad for a 3 year old! I found this idea on a blog and please forgive me, but I have no idea which blog right now.
First, you need to have your kids wash their plastic dinosaur toys. This is important in my home because some of my dinosaurs have been around for about 15 years! I have to also add that a certain 18 year old helped with this project! Some things you just never outgrow!
In a food processor, mix 1 stick of softened butter, 1 1/4 cup flour and 3 T. sugar until it becomes "crumbly". Then form it into a dough log. I had to put mine in the refrigerator because it was a bit soft. Then I cut slices - about 1/4 inch, and the boys (all three of them) pushed various dino parts into the dough. It was a lot of fun. I baked them at 325 for 15 minutes or so. The blog site also suggested dipping the bottoms of the cookies into melted chocolate - a mud look!
Easy fun for my dino lovers!
I am sure that somewhere, sometime, somebody made these and perhaps there is even a different name for them; however, I was "goofing" in my kitchen and kinda came up with these. I really wanted to use white chocolate chips in these, but I was all out, so I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. When added with the maraschino cherries, it is kind of reminiscent of a chocolate covered cherry.
Cream together:
1 cup butter flavored Crisco
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
Add in 1 tsp. almond extract
1 Tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
Mix together, then add to creamed mixture:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Add 1 cup chocolate chips
and 1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries
Drop onto cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350.
Cool, then melt about 1/4 cup chocolate chips in a ziplock baggie. Cut the tip and drizzle the chocolate over the top of the cooled cookies.
They were good and look festive for Valentine's Day, although we will be enjoying these at Tanner's Superbowl party.
COOKIES-my sworn enemies. At least when I'm trying to stick to the Weight Watcher's plan. Oh, I've done so well the past 2 weeks. Then, we do a cookie exchange at our congregation, and BOOM - I fall off the wagon. The buttery texture, the chocolate, the powdered sugar, the Hershey kisses - oh, how can I help myself. Someone needs to get these cookies out of my house - I swear I can hear them call my name!
Here are the cookies I made for the exchange.
(After dipping and sprinkles)
We had to make 10 dozen and wouldn't you know it - I was 2 COOKIES SHORT! So, I cheated and gave 11 cookies to 2 people. I am confessing this now so I don't have this little sin to my name :-). I made White Chocolate dipped Maraschino cherry cookies.
(Before dipping)
I think they were good- like I said, I was 2 short for the exchange, so I really did not get to taste mine, and I really don't feel like making anymore. We'll just eat the ones that I got from the other participants. Next year, I'll make some of these for my family.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
I don't have a lot of things that I really say "these are the best", but I have to say (please don't think I'm bragging), these cookies are the best! I did not think up the recipe, nor can I take credit for the technique, but I have copied all those and turned it into one dog-gone good cookie! The recipe is just from the back of the Nestle Semi-Sweet chocolate chip bag - "original chocolate chip cookie".
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups chocolate chips
However, I DO NOT use butter. I use butter-flavored Crisco (Aldi's now has their version of it much cheaper!). Plus, I always play around with the flour by possibly adding more -depending on how "sticky" the dough feels - if you can touch it and your finger comes away clean, it is ready! If some dough sticks on it, add a bit more flour. Plus, because I married a man who does not really like chocolate (don't judge him too harshly, he really is a great guy), I only add about 3/4 the called for amount of chocolate chips.
Now, the "best in the world" part: use an ice cream scoop and make a big ball of dough - roll it around and put it on the baking sheet - you'll only get about 6 cookies per sheet. I have to give credit for this idea to my BFF Shari, who is very gifted and talented in the domestic goddess field. Bake them at 350 not 375, but before they're done, move them to the top rack for a couple of minutes. These cookies are the best!
At least that's what all my sons' friends told me back when they were in elementary school, and that's what my hub tells me. For my self-esteem, I must believe it, so if you find out otherwise, please keep it to yourself! :-)
Here are a few other tips I picked up from the Food Network or somewhere like that:
-put the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so before you bake them.
-do not over mix the dough once you've added the flour, or you'll see what "one tough cookie" is all about.
-take the cookies out about a minute before you they turn too brown-they continue to bake after they're out of the oven, especially if you use the baking stones.
-double the recipe - you'll be glad you did after everyone eats them up in the first 30 minutes.
-they always taste better the second day (this is my opinion).
(these are not that great of pictures, but you get the idea)
ENJOY!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Doing things (like making cookies) for others can totally make YOUR day!
