easy

Simple Shortbread Cookies

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I can’t believe I don’t have a shortbread recipe on this blog yet! I seriously thought I did because I’ve made these a few times and they are so good! These are so simple to make and a great cookie to be creative with! Get the kids involved! Make different shapes! Use different toppings!

I have another shortbread cookie recipe that I will post another time. They have a more “Christmas” flavor if you know what I mean. Also, with this recipe, feel free to substitute a tablespoon of milk for lemon juice for a more lemony flavor. Or orange zest! Oh man! Now I want to make these again…. But that’s what I love about simple recipes like this one. You can add whatever you want to make it your own and change it up.

For now, this is the recipe I used. Have fun!

What you will need:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Dash of salt
1 cup unsalted butter at room temp
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
Different toppings or sprinkles. I used Wilton candy melts in chocolate (brown) and red.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together sugar and butter until creamy and smooth. Add in vanilla and milk until just combined. Slowly beat in flour mixture until dough is formed. Separate dough into 2 equal rounds and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Take out one ball of dough and roll it out on a floured surface until just over an 1/8 of an inch thick. Cut out desired shapes and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just browned on the edges. Continue until you use up all the dough. Allow to cool on a wire rack before decorating.

Enjoy!

 

Easy Homemade Bread

Seriously, this bread is so easy to make! And it’s quick, only 1 hour to rise. You will never want store bought bread again. I ate two huge slices smothered with butter as soon as it came out of the oven. It was pure heaven if I do say so myself 🙂 So put on your aprons and lets get to baking!

What you will need:

9×5 inch loaf pan

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 packet of Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups warm water
Non-stick spray or oil for pan

In a large bowl or bowl of your electric mixer, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. In a small cup or bowl, stir together the yeast, sugar and half a cup of the warm water. Let rest for 5-10 minutes.

Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture along with another cup of the warm water. Stir with a large wooden spoon or knead with the hook attachment until a nice dough is formed, slowly adding more water as needed. Once the dough is formed, place the bowl in your oven to rise for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, take the dough out and preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Grease the loaf pan. Stir the dough (I just used my hands) and transfer it to the pan. Let rise again while the oven preheats. Then bake for 30-40 minutes (mine took 32 minutes). Allow to cool on a wire rack and then slice and enjoy!

So pretty and delicious! The picture below is directly out of the pan.

Cookie in a Cup 

yuuuummmmm seriously. No further typing is necessary. Want a quick homemade cookie? Here you go…

What you will need:

Microwave safe cup or mug

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
1 tablespoon whisked egg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Chocolate chunks or chips. As many as you want!

In your microwave safe cup, melt the butter  in microwave for about 35 seconds. Then add the sugars, vanilla, salt and whisked egg and mix well. Then add flour and chocolate and stir until everything is combined. Microwave on high for about 1 minute. Let cool but best served warm. Enjoy!

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

My husband has been in Toronto at a work conference the past 5 days. To me, a stay at home mom of a 2 year old boy, it has felt like a month! So to do something special for him upon his return today, I’m cooking a nice dinner and made these peanut butter cookies for dessert! He loves, I mean, LOVES peanut butter. And these cookies could not be any easier. 3 ingredients that you should already have on hand. And this recipe doesn’t make a ton so you won’t have 2 dozen cookies staring you down the next few days 😉 So let’s go bake!!

What you will need: 

Cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

1 egg
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter

I got 14 cookies. If you need more, just double the recipe!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients. If needed, refrigerate dough for 10-15 minutes. Make 1-2 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Make criss cross patterns with the tines of a fork on each cookie, pressing down gently. Bake for about 12 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy!

2 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies

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The title says it all. We always have leftover bananas so instead of making bread or muffins, I tried cookies. These are a healthy, easy snack for all ages. Perfect! You can also add whatever else you want, like cinnamon, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. But here’s what you need…

Cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
1 1/2 cups quick oats
3 ripe bananas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. In a medium bowl, mix together oatmeal and bananas until combined. Add whatever else you would like. I added cinnamon to my second batch and they were much better. Drop by spoonfulls onto prepared cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!