White Chocolate Oatmeal Cherry Cookies - Crazy Monday

Monday mornings are never easy but it seemed like a cloud was hanging over this house yesterday.

One of the dogs had an accident, then my son fell halfway down the stairs before school and it sounded a little like this.  I ended up having to drive him to school and on the way back my allergies decided to take a hit out on me and I ended up looking like Rocky after taking on Apollo Creed...the first time.

To top it off, I rushed into my house racing for the computer for a call I had scheduled and tripped over a pair of shoes and went flying into a chair in the dining room, doing further damage to my already blown out eyes.  After binge watching The Crown, I realize everyone has their problems but I did feel a little more jinxed than normal for a Monday. 

Oh well.  At least I have cookies.  Life is good.

Cranberry Bliss Bars

Cranberry Bliss Bars

I don't do traditional holidays.  Every other year, my son is with his Dad for (name the holiday) and I don't have family within driving distance.  Don't break out the tissues for me just yet.  This unconventional way of life can have an upside.

When my son is away for whatever reason, be it camps or at his Dad's house, it gives me time to regroup, clean up the house, and get my affairs in order so I can be completely on when he comes back to me.  I also never take the time I have with my kid for granted because I know that time is limited.

Packing from The Container Store

So, even though I don't celebrate holidays in the traditional sense, I do love to make holiday treats which I promptly give away to neighbors and teachers so I don't devour them all while I work from home.  These bars have to be the best invention ever to come out of Starbucks, besides the Peppermint Mocha.  I have been searching high and low for a recipe that makes a good imitation and this one is it.  Thank you, Pinterest!  This is about as close as you are going to get to the stuff at the Starbucks counter and dare I say, perhaps a little bit better.       

Ridiculous Magic Bars

I completely and totally lost control of these bars. There is an insane amount of sweet running through these darlings and if you are not a fan of sweet, you might want to close it up and try back another day.

The usual seven-layer or magic bars have a graham cracker crust with flaked coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts and a layer of sweetened condensed milk on top. Sometimes these are made with white chocolate, sometimes not. What these bars are never made with is caramel squares.

Why would anyone use caramels you ask? Well, my single life sometimes has an odd affect on my baking. The night before I was set to make these, my Dad came over to babysit while I went out to partake in shenanigans among friends. The next day, I went into the cupboard to find my one and only bag of butterscotch chips half eaten. Since I had been out to the wee hours of the morning, I was not in a position to a.) complain to my very understanding Dad, b.) looked like night of the living dead and a trip to the grocery store to buy another bag would have scared little children and c.) my head was pounding and the thought of going out in broad daylight was a little too daunting. So, when in a baking bind, substitute. I happened to have a bag of caramels and I compensated for the loss of butterscotch with about seven caramels. Did it work? Like a charm! Absolutely sublime. xoxo - AJ

Recipe:

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup salted butter, melted
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 package butterscotch chips
1/2 package white chocolate chips
1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
7 caramels chopped
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease an 13x9-inch baking pan.

Stir together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer, using your fingertips,the back of a spoon or a spatula. Spread chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and white chocolate chips in a layer on the graham crackers. Spread walnuts in a layer on the chocolate chips. Spread coconut in a layer on top. Pour sweetened condensed milk over everything. Sprinkle caramels evenly over center of dish.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until coconut is golden brown.

Cool completely before slicing.

Bars can be served at room temperature or chilled.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

I bought macadamia nuts a few nights ago because I was loose in the grocery store alone without my son to speed along the shopping process and all kinds of goodies dropped into the cart. I had never tasted these round, buttery, salty nuts outside of a cookie and after popping a few in my mouth I can safely say that those little darlings are absolutely addictive. Combine the nuts with the white chocolate in a doughy cookie and the combination is velvety and decadent. Enjoy! xo – AJ

Recipe:

1 cup butter softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
1 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the butter and sugars together until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time until well mixed and then add the vanilla and almond extracts. Scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times between mixing. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir together with a fork. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, mix the nuts and chips until combined. Drop tablespoon size dough onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Do not over bake! They will not look done but they will cook more out of the oven.

Let cookies cool for about 15 minutes and remove to a wire rack or newspapers to cool.