January 30, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Vanilla Beans

I had a different post ready. But you should always blog about what you are most excited. And I am most excited about these vanilla beans.

Vanilla beans can be expensive. However these beans from Beanilla via Amazon * are very reasonable. They are $5.98 for five pods.

I tried them the other day with my chocolate chip cookies. I just added half of the caviar from one bean to my cookies. Oh my gosh! You guys! These cookies are knee-weakening. They melt in your mouth. It ends up being just sixty cents extra to add these to your cookies. It is so worth it.

To get the caviar for the cookies, simply cut the pod in half.

Slice the pod open. With the back of the knife, scrape the vanilla bean all the way down. Add the caviar to the cookies at the same time you add the vanilla extract.

Have you used vanilla bean seeds in your chocolate chips cookies? What did you think? I have used the caviar from the pods in creme brûlée as well. What else have you used vanilla beans in?

It’s the little things: making your baked treats taste better. Yum!

* I am not being compensated for this post. This is my experience with this company. Your experience may be different. I just wanted to share where I like to get my beans. : )

January 9, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Pie Crust Cookies

I have been really sick. How sick? Well, I have not had a glass of wine since Christmas. That’s how sick. I know. Who knew it was possible? It has been thirteen days of a cold with a fever and I am now beginning to think it is time to see a doctor.

Or not.

We’ll see.

It makes for interesting dreams.

But in the meantime, my sweet mother brought me over the nicest gift in the world. It was a container of pie crust cookies.

Pie crust cookies happen to be my most favorite thing in the whole wide world. My mother and grandmother used to make them all through my childhood. They start with homemade pie crust dough (which is why I never make them). The pie crust dough is rolled out then generously sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Then cut into long irregular shapes, punched with a fork, and put into the oven to bake. Hence the clever name, “pie crust cookies.” I don’t know where or how they came up with that.

When she delivered these, I almost cried in my delirious state.

They have been what has kept me going these last few days.

Well, that and a glorious little product called ~~heaven~~ Sudafed.

Have you ever had these delightful little treats? And why does everything taste so much better when your mom makes it? What’s your favorite thing to have when you are sick? Spaghetti for some reason also always makes me feel better. It is what we are having for dinner tonight.

It’s the little things: anything that makes you feel better when you are sick.

Thanks Mom.

November 20, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Cookie Butter!

Oh, yes, cookie butter. I wish I had it on camera, the moment I first saw this spectacular creation on a giant display at the store. I think time froze as I reread and reread the label, my mouth gaping open. Drool puddling on the floor. I, of course, grabbed a jar. When you see something with words that you normally associate the other way around (Butter Cookies), you have to grab it.

I got home and immediately opened the jar. I tried it. Oh my goodness! Heaven. I checked the calories. Ninety calories for one tablespoon. Reality.

I knew I would have to eat this with something healthy to not feel like Goldie Hawn in “Death Becomes Her.” Anytime I eat frosting from a can, my husband reminds me of that scene. So, I tried it with apple slices. I love apple slices with peanut butter. Now, I love apples slices with cookie butter. It is better. Trust me.

And because I am a hoarder with OCD, I rushed out the next day and bought another jar. It tastes like condensed thick creamy spice cookies. Amazing!

I made a cookie butter cake. Um, this is what it looked like for a week. Not my finest creation. How could I ruin my cookie butter this way?

Then I made cookie butter oatmeal cookies. Now we’re talking. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of my thighs clapping. Recipe for this to come. You will be oh, so happy.

I have also learned that Trader Joe’s carries cookie butter. There is a rumor on the internet that they only allow the purchase of two jars per customer. Is this true? I have not stalked the shelves here, yet. They also make a chocolate version and a crunchy version. Oh! The choices. The possibilities. The dirty spoons.

It’s the little things: it’s creamed cookies! Creamed cookies! Dreams do come true.

Have you tried this yet? Do you hoard it? I am scared they are going to run out.

October 22, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

In Which Bigger Is Better: Chocolate Chip Cookies

I thought I made big chocolate chip cookies. I thought this. But then one day I had the crazy idea to use this giant scoop. And our lives have never been the same.

Because bigger is better.

At least when it comes to treats.

Here is how I do it. This scoop. This wonderful giant scoop. I got mine from Pampered Chef.

This recipe makes thirteen giant cookies. If you eat the cookie dough (I have to say this probably is not healthy. Eat at your own risk, ’cause it has raw eggs) like we did, you will be left with eleven. You will still be happy.

; )

Ingredients:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup organic brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 sticks softened salted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
*Caviar from one vanilla bean

Preheat oven to 360 degrees or 335 convect bake.

With a hand mixer in a bowl or with your mixer: Cream butter and sugars until light, about two minutes. Add vanilla. Incorporate by mixing. Add eggs one at a time until mixture is fluffy. About one minute per egg.

Add salt and baking soda. Nope. I don’t sift. I just blend these in first. I have never had a problem. I think sifting is highly over rated. Mix together with the beater on low.

Add flour one cup at a time and beat on low. Add last 1/2 cup. Beat on low. Mix in chocolate chips.

Scoop cookies onto cookie sheet with your giant scoop. Your sheet will probably hold six cookies maximum. Flatten cookie dough with your palm. When you are done, wash your hands. You should definitely not lick your palms in the kitchen when no one is looking like a human cat.

; )

Put cookie tray in oven. Bake eleven minutes. After eleven minutes, check cookies. Mine always take another two minutes after this.

Remove from oven.

Let cookies cool on sheet for one minute. With a spatula, remove cookies to a cooling rack.

Repeat with remainder of the cookie dough.

Cookies are ready to consume after five minutes on the cooling rack.

Yum! Warm chocolate chip cookies? Is there anything better?

Oh yes! Giant warm chocolate chip cookies!

* Edited on 3/12/2014 If you do not have a vanilla bean, increase vanilla extract to 2 teaspoons instead of one.

I shared this on Savvy Southern Style

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

cookies

It’s The Little Things: Vanilla Beans

It’s The Little Things: Pie Crust Cookies

In Which Bigger Is Better: Chocolate Chip Cookies