Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

I told you I would post more recipes once I got to cooking again. Well, I've somehow started cooking again. And what better place to start than COOKIES!!

This sweet little girl turned 16 last week and she asked me to make the cookies for her birthday bash. Wow. I ended up sending over 250 cookies with her, then we kept a few for ourselves. They were a hit, and only a few were leftover. Here are the recipes for the three different kinds of cookies:

Peanut Butter M&M Cookies

I used the recipe on the link, only I replaced the chocolate chips with mini m&m's and I added vanilla. They were probably my favorite. They tasted like a big peanut butter m&m.

Velma's Soft Sugar Cookies

These were a fav of ours growing up. My old neighbor, Velma Lyle used to make them, and she always had some on hand when we would go and see her {which was all of the time, because she had the coolest barn to play in}.

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup oil
4 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt

Cream butter and both sugars. Gradually add vanilla and eggs. Slowly add oil and blend thoroughly. Add dry ingredients and blend again. Chill dough at least 1/2 hour. Roll into balls or drop by tsp onto cookie sheet and flatten with the bottom of glass dipped in sugar to be very thin. Dough is very soft. Do NOT sift flour. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love good old fashioned chocolate chip cookies, and I finally found a recipe I like. It's a huge batch - perfect for making ahead of time and freezing the balls of dough for a fresh cookie anytime (not such a good thing for my thighs though).

2 cups butter (4 cubes)
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
6 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3 cups chocolate chips

Cream together butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop onto greased cookie sheet by heaping tablespoons. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned.

I had planned on making snickerdoodles too, but ran out of time. All I can say about this craziness is that I am so in love with my new kitchen, and the convection oven!! Here's a shot of my sweet kitchen - and remember the view makes it even better!!