Perfect M&M Cookies

When I saw this recipe on Pinterest I just knew I had to make them.  I found the mini M&M's at the store and I was ready to bake.  I think you will really like these cookies.  They are very easy to throw together and bake.  It probably would be best to use the mini M&M's if you can find them.

There is my secret ingredient from my regular chocolate chip cookies.  I guess it isn't so secret since I found it in this recipe too.

Start with 1 stick of butter that is softened.  Beat well.

Add 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

Mix well.

Add an egg.

Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Add 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

3 Tablespoons Instant vanilla pudding mix. I put the whole package in.

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups mini M&M's.  There were a few left in the bag for snacking.

You will have to fold these in by hand.  Mix well.

I used a small cookie scoop to dip up the dough.  Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes.  Keep an eye on them. Let them rest on the cookie sheet for about 10 after they come out of the oven.

Warm from the oven.  They smell good too.

Enjoy!

Perfect M&M Cookies Recipe

1 stick butter softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups mini M&M's

Jamie Deen's Stone Fruit Cobbler

A couple of weeks ago Jamie Deen made this cobbler on his show so I went to the web site and printed out the recipe.  I have a peach pie that I have been told was pretty good but this pie used plums as well as peaches, so I was curious about making it.  I liked it but my husband said it wasn't my peach pie.  I will probably make this again especially if we are having company.

The hardest part of this pie is peeling and cutting up the fruit.

I peeled and cut up about 4 peaches.  You could leave the peaches in slices but I chose to chop them up.

I went ahead and put the 3/4 cup of sugar on top of the peaches so that they could start to make a little syrup while I cut the plums.

Add 1/4 cup cornstarch

Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Toss well.

Then I peeled and cut up about 5 plums. Toss well.

Spray a 2 1/2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Add the fruit.

Now for the topping.  Melt one stick of butter.

Add 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour.

Add 1 1/4 cup milk

Add 1/2 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix well.

Pour on top of the fruit.

Place in a preheated 350 oven and bake for about an hour, or it is nice and golden brown.

Fresh from the oven.  Serve warm....

with ice cream.

Stone Fruit Cobbler Recipe

Filling:
6 cups sliced stone fruit about 5 medium peaches and 5 plums
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Topping
 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups milk
1 stick butter melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Lee's Cucumber Salad

A couple of weeks ago we ate dinner with some friends and they had this cucumber salad and I know it is going to sound strange but it is so addictive.  I like cucumbers but I don't just sit around and eat them because I taste them the rest of the day.

I started out with three small cucumbers and these are English cucumbers because they were the smallest ones they had at the grocery store.  These English cucumbers are burpless so you don't taste cucumbers the rest of the day.

I sliced the cucumbers in nice size pieces.  You don't want them thin or in too big of hunks either.

Toss them in a bowl.

Put a little fresh pepper on them and some salt.  The salt works best if it is Kosher salt or sea salt that is a little bigger grains.

Now this part will change depending on how many cucumbers you cut up.  I started with 3 Tablespoons of red wine vinegar.

Add 3 Tablespoons olive oil.

Whisk them together well.

Pour the mixture over the cucumber slices. Toss well to coat.  Then if you want to add some more salt and pepper add that.

Because I had more dressing than I needed I sliced another cucumber and added it to the bowl too.

I stored them in a plastic container with a lid.  It helps because you can put the lid on and shake well.  It helps to mix the dressing on all the cucumbers.  Place in the fridge for a while.  They taste good after a couple of hours but I bet over night they are going to be great.  I sampled them after a couple of hours and they were so good.  I did add a little more salt and pepper to bring out the flavor more.  Add according to what you like.  This makes a good addition to a meal with veggies.  Taste like summer to me.

****Note**** These cucumbers are best when they are only in the fridge for a couple of hours to just get cold.  If they stay too long the oils will solidify and you have to let them sit out for a while.  Also just know that the salt will bring out the natural liquids of the cucumbers too.

Orange and Dark Chocolate Scones

Nothing is better than chocolate and orange.  These scones are a great blend of these two flavors.

This is a nice basic scone recipe with the addition of chocolate and orange zest.

Start with 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons orange zest

It smells so good.

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Sift it all together well.

Measure out 1/4 cup +2 Tablespoons of buttermilk.

Measure out 6 Tablespoons butter.  Make sure it is cold butter.

Cut into pieces to add to the flour mixture.  You could grate it if you like.

Using a pastry cutter, fork, or two knives cut the butter into the flour until it is well incorporated.

Add the buttermilk.

Separate an egg and save the yolk. Add to the mixture.

Add 3/4 cup chunks of dark chocolate.  I used dark chocolate chips.

Mix well and roll out of a lightly floured surface.  You can pat them out instead of rolling if you like.
I use a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter to cut out my scones but if you want them in triangles you can do that as well.  It was a little warm on the day I made these so after I cut them out I put them in the fridge for a few minutes.

Now to fix your egg wash for the tops.  Start with 1 Tablespoon water.

One egg.

Whisk together. and then brush the tops of the scones with the mixture.

These scones have been brushed with the egg mixture.  Place in a preheated 425 oven.  Bake for about 10 minutes.  Since mine were cut smaller I didn't cook them as long.


Orange and Dark Chocolate Scones Recipes
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoon orange zest
2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons butter
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup +2 Tablespoons buttermilk
3/4 cup chunks of dark chocolate

egg wash
1 egg
1Tablespoon water.