Valentine's cookies!

I didn't get around to making my Valentine's cookies until Valentine's Day. I'm a bit disappointed in myself, but I had fun, and that's what counts!

I tried a new recipe, which is always hit-and-miss. They weren't as buttery as I would have liked, and they really needed to be refrigerated for several hours before rolling. But then again, they were supposed to be drop cookies.

I don't think I'll use this recipe again, but it was worth the experience.

My icing also didn't turn out perfectly; it was extra runny, and it ended up Pepto-pink, instead of a light pink like I wanted. I made the best of it though, and drizzled or dipped most of the cookies, as to avoid neon shock.

If anyone has any delicious tips for me, please let me know!

Oh, the humaity! Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Cups

Image courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess
I thought that this link needed to be shared. No, it was begging me, literally. These Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Cups hail from the blog Hostess with the Mostess, and wouldn't any guests love you for these. I can't wait to try them out on some very grateful friends!

h my! Tonight was Halloween Cookie Night, and I must say it was a smashing, yet messy, success!

These cookies look like something that arose out of the ashes of Chernobyl, but I think they have a certain kind of 8-eyed charm. I'm not super happy with my cookie recipe, so I'm on the lookout for a new one, if anyone has any suggestions.

I really didn't get around to much of anything this week, but hopefully I'll make up for it this weekend! And I'm definitely getting in the Halloween mood! I already have a beautiful pumpkin, and I'm thinking about what to carve on it!

But for the weekend, here are a few ideas. Have a great one!

• One of my favorite fall staples, apple butter on Curiositys
• Inspiration in this cute bag on artsy-crafty babe
• A cute and cozy ruffled shirt from Craftzine
• Halloween town treat bags from little. lovely.

Wednesday needs...

A little bit of link love. Just to break up the mid-week slump. I'm definitely in the funk, so here's a few things that cheer me up:

• Snickerdoodle Duo cupcakes from Bakerella
• Embroidered book corner from Craftzine
• rubber stamping from Sweet Tidings
• paper dolls from Martha Stewart
• shortbread cookies from Make it Do
• easy screenprinting on Angry Chicken

My, oh my, baking and pie

It has finally cooled down here, and I am really enjoying the weather... and the clothes... jackets and sweaters. Yum yum. And along with the great fall weather, baked goods galore!! Here are just a few recipes and an icing tutorial-- oh, joy!

• milk chocolate cookies-- yum, yum-- from Martha Stewart via Heart of Light
• delicious-looking popovers from angry chicken
• A tutorial for Magnolia Bakery's icing on Cupcakes take the Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Bites from Bakerella
• adorable pie tins from LollyChops
• and last but not least, recipes from the new book The Happy Baker:A Dater's Guide to Emotional Baking

Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I bake when I am mad. Honestly, I have been mad and stressed a lot lately. But this is one easy, delicious recipe that puts me back into the right mood!

These chocolate, peanut butter cookies require no baking, and thus, are much quicker to make than normal cookies. Or perhaps they should be called a candy. Either way, they are delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 Tablespoons (or less) cocoa powder
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 3 cups (plus some) of quick cooking rolled oats

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan.
2. Add milk and sugar to the melted butter, and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Mix in cocoa powder-to your liking.
4. Add the one cup of peanut butter, and stir the mixture until the peanut butter has combined.
5. Slowly combine the oats into the peanut-butter-chocolate-y goodness until all the oats are covered in chocolate. Then drop the mixture onto a sheet of wax paper by the tablespoon.

You can enjoy these treats hot and cold, although I can never hold out until they cool. These really are perfect for a bad day!

4-Ingredient Peanut-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'd like to post for you my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It's my go to recipe for when I need to bake, but I don't have a lot of time. (My other go-to-cookie is sugar cookie for when I'm feeling sassy and creative and have a LOT of time).

My sister and I have been trying out different versions of this recipes for a while, because we always forget the amounts!

The cookies are not peanut-allergy friendly, but for those of you who have a gluten allergy, like a friend of my sister, these cookies are great! And those of us who aren't on gluten-free can enjoy them too!

Ingredients:

• 1 egg


• 3/4 cup peanut butter


• 3/4 cup sugar


• about 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350.


2. Mix together the peanut butter and sugar, then fold in the egg. Mix well.


3. Fold in chocolate chips.


4. Drop in 1-in balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. They will spread.


5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or a little longer if you like your cookies crunchy.

Like I said, quick and easy. And delicious, especially hot.