COLORADO-Ultimate High Altitude Chocolate Chip Cookies

Another recipe from "Our Cookie Nation" installments...

Ultimate High Altitude Chocolate chip Cookies

1 c. butter or margarine 

(I never use margarine-the water content always makes the cookies spread more)

1 c. white sugar

1 c. brown sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, stir together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar.  Mix in eggs one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla (although the instructions say to stir these ingredients together, but I used my hand mixer).

In a separate bowl combine the flour salt and soda, then add to the butter mixture just until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips (I used an entire 12 oz. package of chocolate chips...you can never have too many of those!).  Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, about 2" apart.

Bake 12-15 minutes until edges begin to turn golden.  Allow cookies to cool for a few minutes (I usually leave them about 5 min.) on the baking sheet, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes approximately 48 cookies.

Note:  I also live in a high altitude state, so I was thrilled to find a cookie recipe that had been adapted for our neck of the woods.  However I did some research and found out that of course you can make this cookie no matter where you live, just omit the additional 2 Tbsp. of flour!
We loved this cookie!

Simple Apple Crisp

I know that most people seem to associate Apple Crisp dessert with the fall season, but I love I all year long!
Here is one I've made many times, and is easy to prepare.

APPLE CRISP

1 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. rolled oats

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. butter, softened

4 c. peeled and chopped apples

(I love to use Granny Smith apples)

1 c. white sugar

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 c. water

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until crumbly.

Press half of the crumbly mix into a greased 9 x9 baking dish. Cover with the chopped apples.

Ina large sauce pan combine the white sugar, cornstarch, water and vanilla. Cook and stir over medium heat until clear.

Pour syrup over the apples, and sprinkle remaining crumb mix over all.
Bake for about 45-50 minutes until the apples are tender. 
Serve with ice cream if desired!

I like the apples to still be a bit crisp when finished baking, but if you prefer them to be tender, bake as long as 1 hour. I think you will love this simple crisp!

Crazy Snicker's Salad

This is a recipe I found while blog hopping, and it has such a quirky list of ingredients I knew I just had to try it!

SNICKERS SALAD

1 ( 8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (3.4 oz.) box instant vanilla pudding mix

3-4 tart apples

3 regular size Snickers Candy Bars

2 c. cold milk

2 c. miniature marshmallows

Core and chop up apples into bite size pieces.  Cut candy bars into small pieces.
In a large mixing bowl combine pudding mix and milk together, whisking until smooth. Add the apples and candy bars, and stir until everything is well coated.  Fold in whipped topping, and then the marshmallows.


You can serve right away, but we found we liked it better after the salad had chilled for a couple of hours.

Source:  One Crazy Cookie

Diet Coke Brownies

THE POST TITLE IS TRUE!  

I MADE BROWNIE'S USING DIET COKE!

Now think about it...2 fabulous, delicious, (necessary) items brought together, and as impossible as it seems, made even better!!
I found this recipe at  Every Mile a Memory, and when I read the post I almost fell off my chair.  I thought this was an impossible recipe, that it was a hoax, that it was an early April Fools day trick, but hey, I will try anything once, so....

TO DIE FOR!

Diet Coke Brownies

1 box fudge brownie mix ( I used the 9 x 13 pan size)

1 (12 oz.) can Diet Coke

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl dump the brownie mix in.  Open that can of Diet Coke (try not to drink any of it), and slowly pour over the dry brownie mix. It will foam up a lot. I stopped to stir in the soda a couple of times.

When all of the Diet Coke has been stirred in and well incorporated the batter will be very liquid, but that's OK.

Pour into a 9 x 13 pan which has been lightly coated with non-stick spray (bottom of the pan only),and bake for 30-35 minutes or as directed on the box.  I found though that I had to increase the baking time by about 7 minutes in order to have  a toothpick inserted in the center come out clean
Let them cool, cut them into 24 pieces and try not to eat the entire pan before the family gets home!

I have also made this recipe using the low fat boxed brownie mix, and I'm not kidding, you can't tell the difference!
Using the low fat mix, and cutting into 24 equal pieces, each brownie is 105 calories, and 0.5 grams fat.
OH MY!

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