I love these recipes because they can be made by all ages (even wee little ones - especially the Reindeer Cookies). The Chocolate Oat Drop Cookies need some supervision when melting the butter and dropping the cookies. Both recipes are fast, easy and can really help you out in a holiday pinch when your child or significant other comes home and remembers they need 50 cookies first thing tomorrow morning for a cookie exchange at school or work. We’ve all been there, and now I have recipes for just such occasions!
My heart grew 10 sizes last year when my cousin texted me and asked if she and her friends could come over to our house and “get their Christmas on.” How cute is that? And what exactly does that mean? Before I could think about it, my heart texted her back with, “What time should I pick you all up from school?” and, “Does everyone have permission?”
You can choose whatever cookies you like for this recipe: Gluten-free, peanut-free, plain-old chocolate chip - whatever tickles your fancy. Some cookies are more rectangular or round than others. Don’t worry; it doesn’t matter. The end result is super cute, so go nuts and pick whatever cookies you like. Maybe white chocolate dipped Reindeer cookies are more your speed? Either way, you will need just a few things to get started.
First you need to recruit some good old-fashioned kitchen helpers. Three little helpers are perfect for the first recipe because everyone has a job; in my case, my cousin Jacqueline and her two friends Kate and Ava were excellent cookie assemblers.
Super Cute Reindeer Cookies
You will need:
2 packages (pack sizes may vary) of your favorite cookies from the grocery store (I used Caramel Tim Tams)
1 bag of salted mini pretzels (the salt goes really well with the caramel)
1 tube of white icing
1 tube of chocolate icing
½ cup of chocolate chips
3 packages of Swedish Berries candy
To assemble:
One child dots the white icing in two places, two for eyes, then dots on each eye with a chocolate chip, gently pushing the icing down to form the whites of the Reindeer’s eyes.
The next child then uses the chocolate icing to attach the Red Berry for Rudolph’s bright red nose.
Finally, the piece de resistance is sticking the pretzel antler on. Using the chocolate icing again, have the third child dot the icing in the centre top of the Reindeer’s forehead and stick on the pretzel and viola! They take about 15 minutes to set.
Memories made? Check! Whimsical cookies made? Check!
Time for another recipe? Check!
Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies
This recipe is a classic. Most homes when I was growing up had their own version of this cookie. You can make big ones or little ones, depending on how many you need. This recipe makes 36 tablespoon size cookies or 50 teaspoon size cookies; it’s all up to you.
This first thing your trusty recruits are going to need to do is spread out some parchment or wax paper to drop the hot cookies on to slightly harden and cool. You’ll need two large sheets, either on the countertop or lined on a baking sheet.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together:
½ cup butter
2 cups of sugar
½ cup of milk
1 tsp. vanilla (Tip: Why not try different flavors of extract? Maybe you want to try mint, orange or almond for your own signature flavor.)
Bring to a gentle boil, then carefully remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in:
3 cups of instant oats
1 cup of sweet shredded coconut
Using two spoons, drop either a teaspoon or tablespoon size of the batter (depending on the cookie size you want) onto the parchment paper and let cool. When the cookies have cooled, place them in a plastic or glass container and they will keep fresh up to a week.
How about that! All those cookies made and you didn’t even have to turn on the oven. Not only are you the hero of the hour, you are also a Christmas time-saving genius!
Butterfan Catering and Pop-up Buffets is a local catering company specializing in holidays, special occasions and pop-up buffets. With over 15 years experience, Butterfan produces creative and fun private, corporate and public events combining cool dècor items and catering services into one. Call Desiree at 403-861-7146 for a chat and a quote, or check out her website, www.butterfan.com. Stay in the loop by following her blog, Butterfan Living, www.butterfanliving.com, follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/butterfanliving and Twitter @Butterfan.
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