Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 1/2 cups rolled or quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease 3 baking sheets or spray lightly with cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.

Place the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer set on high speed until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth.  Gradually stir in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined.  Stir in oats and raisins until blended.

Drop the dough by rounded spoonfuls 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets.  Flatten the dough slightly with a fork.

Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes.  Cool on the sheets for about 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to finish cooling.

~ This recipe is pretty flexible if you aren't a raisin fan.  Simply replace the raisins with 1 cup of chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips. ~

Easy Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour 
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In small bowl, combine coconut, sugar, flour and salt. Stir in egg whites and vanilla, mix well.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.  Bake at 325 degrees F for 18 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on a wire rack.

~ Simple, easy, sweet and delicious! ~

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.  Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.  Set aside.  Combine butter and brown suger in large bowl and beat at medium speed with mixer until fluffy.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Beat in vanilla.  Add flour mixture and beat at low speed until stiff dough forms.  Place powdered sugar in shallow dish.  Roll dough into balls, about 2 level teaspoons each.  Toss in powdered sugar to coat, shaking off excess.  Place about 1 inch apart on baking sheets.  Bake 8 - 10 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned on the bottoms and have crackled appearance on top.  Cool on wire racks.  Cookies can be stored in airtight container for up to 3 days.  Makes about 52 cookies.

~ I found this recipe in a magazine and thought it looked pretty simple so I decided to try them.  I made these over the holidays and they were like little heavenly balls of fudge.  A total delight! ~