Recipe of the Week - Cranberry Treasure Cookies

Now, now, I know it's the new year and everyone has started their diet resolutions, but here's a cookie recipe you'll want to try anyway.  It's one that several of my family members have been baking for years, but I only just tried it myself.   It's super easy, very delicious and by golly, it calls for real fruit.  A diet win-win!

 

Cranberry Treasure Cookies 1 2/3 cup flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 c butter, softened (Melted butter works, too.) 3/4 c packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 c fresh cranberries 1 tsp orange rind (My sister suggests using more.  I just used what I grated from one orange.  It was probably closer to a tablespoon.  Very orange-y = very yummy!) 1 1/2 white chocolate chips 1/2 c pecans, coursely chopped (Totally optional - I didn't use these.)

Preheat your oven to 375.  Use a mixer to combine the ingredients well.  Drop spoonfuls of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly brown.

Yields 3-4 dozen if you make small cookies.

Recipe of the Week - White Chocolate Snack Mix

Making this "snack mix" at Christmas time has become a tradition in my extended family. We also call it "Christmas Crack" because it is addictive! I don't even like white chocolate and I could eat a whole recipe of this! After our children were born, my husband decided that we should call it "Christmas Snack" instead of "Christmas Crack." You can decide for yourself what you'd like to call it. Buy red and green M&Ms to make it more Christmas-y. You can also dye the melted white chocolate with food coloring if you like. Work quickly. The white chocolate cools and hardens in a short amount of time. 10 oz mini pretzels 5 cups cheerios 5 cups corn chex 2 cups salted peanuts 14 oz M&Ms 2 11 oz packages of white chocolate chips 3 T vegetable oil

Line three baking sheets with waxed paper. (You can also tape a long piece of waxed paper to the counter or your dining room table. It's easier to work with this way.) In a large bowl combine all ingredients except white chocolate chips and oil. Heat white chocolate chips and oil in the microwave on medium-high for two minutes, stirring once. Microwave on high for 10 seconds. Stir until smooth. Pour over cereal and mix well. Spread onto prepared sheets. Allow to cool and then break apart and store in airtight containers.

Recipe and photo from allrecipes.com.

If you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share with our readers, please submit it here or email us at submissions@themotherhoodcollective.org