Snicker Doodles

Sometimes I wonder how people have a "favorite cookie".  Seriously, you can pick one?  How can you single out one type of cookie when there's chocolate chip, peanut butter, pumpkin snicker doodles, white chocolate cranberry?  You must be a real cookie expert... Unfortunately I haven't reached that status yet.  Better keep sampling them all.

A couple weeks ago there was a bake sale at school.  Imagine that! Kids, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, donuts.  It just goes together way too well. Let me tell you, if the government had a bake sale in every school across the country just one day, they'd be out of debt.  Possibly even have some extra Benjamin's to spare! Kids love food!

Let me rephrase that... Who doesn't love cookies, brownies, cakes, donuts, chocolate covered whatever, etc.???? You're just not American if you don't!  Once again getting myself way off topic.  Anyways, I made these for the bake sale at school.  No, not for the government bake sale, a senior project bake sale.  One teacher in particular absolutely LOVES these cookies.  Like they are her FAVORITE.  One and only favorite. Yes, just one type!  She always has to buy one a couple plateful.  Next time I'll just bring an extra tray with her name one it.  One for the bake sale and one for her!

Snicker Doodles

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071086

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter flavored Crisco shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon cream of tarter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• Cinnamon Sugar

Instructions

In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the first six ingredients.

Stir in flour, adding more if batter is too sticky.

Roll balls in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake at 350* for 8 to 10 minutes.

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Pumpkin Yogurt

It’s a little over a week from Christmas and I’m still not ready to give up my pumpkin recipes.  Is it acceptable to eat pumpkin year round?  I hope so because that’s what I plan on doing!

Over the past four or five months I’ve probably ate ten cans of pumpkin puree…on my own.  Wow, I just realized how much that is.  Ten cans..give me a minute to do the math.  Ten cans x 16(?) ounces per can = 160 ounces of pumpkin.  It’s a miracle I’m not the great big pumpkin!!

While some of it has been pumpkin pies, pumpkin squares, pumpkin smoothies, etc. this conception is a little healthier.  Greek yogurt, canned pumpkin, and cinnamon.

It’s been a little too cold recently, but sometimes I’ll mix it up and freeze it for 30 or 40 minutes.  Then it’s like ice cream!  Yummm….(ice cream is my weakness)

Pumpkin Yogurt

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071148

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain or vanilla greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a bowl. Mix to combine.

Refrigerate until ready to eat.

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Banana Cinnamon Bun Smoothie

For the longest time I was on this smoothie craze.  Banana, strawberry, peach, blueberry, pumpkin...I tried them all.  Thanks to Pinterest I never ran out of ideas.  :)  This was the first "recipe" I tried, and it's probably the one that started my blending obsession.

Recipe is in quotes because there's one thing you need to know about me.  I rarely follow an original recipe.  99.9% of the time I add/remove/double/half something.  Every recipe has room for improvement!!

Feel free to add or substitute your own favorites to this "recipe".  That's the beauty with smoothies...you can throw in just about anything (as long as it's not the main ingredient) and still have a drink that tastes amazing.  Don't like almond milk?  Use cows milk.  Not sweet enough? Sugar, honey, or maple syrup will do the trick.  Too much cinnamon? Just use a dash.  

Banana Cinnamon Bun Smoothie

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071150

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/3 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into glass and enjoy!

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Snicker Doodles

If you haven't guessed it already, I absolutely love Christmas! Not because I get presents and go shopping (well...those are pretty great too) but mostly because I get to give everyone gifts. Really. I look forward to it all year.

But since I have so many teachers it's hard to get them something they'll use that's not too expensive. Last year I may have given my teachers the best gift yet.  Everyone gives baked goods or little homemade treats. But unbaked goods? Now we're talkin!

Yep that's exactly what I did!  I gave each of my teachers a box of cookie dough balls. They loved it too! Why? Because who wants more sweets over the holidays? Since these were unbaked they could be saved for later.

Just one thing...make sure you include baking instructions...

Snicker Doodles

:Ingredients:

1 cup butter flavored Crisco shortening

2 eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon cream of tarter

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/4 cups flour

Cinnamon Sugar

:Directions:

In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the first six ingredients.

Stir in flour, adding more if batter is too sticky.

Roll balls in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake at 350* for 8 to 10 minutes.

Copyright © 2014, Grace George. Simple and Sweet Creations. All Rights Reserved.

Click for printable recipe.

Baked Apple

It's official...I'll be able to survive in college!  Last night I perfected the most important microwave meal of the day...DESSERT!  Here's what my diet will consist of: Microwave Eggs for breakfast (and lunch, and dinner) and then this baked apple for dessert. :)  What college kid would complain about that?

Unfortunately, I won't be able to enjoy my mothers apple pies, crisps, and dumplings in a college dorm.  They'd get stolen before I had a chance to take a bite!  Mmmmm...I can taste 'em right now! 

I love how simple this little treat is to make.  Literally in 3 minutes it's all done.  And it only makes a single serving!  I had it for dessert last night, but it could make a great pre-workout or after-school snack, or even a mid-day treat.  Pair it with some greek yogurt, scrambled eggs, or milk for a breakfast too.

Cut your apple in half and scoop out the core.

Place cut side down in a microwave bowl with some water.

Microwave 1 1/2 minutes, flipping the apple over halfway through.  Be careful!  The apple and water may be hot!

Place apple on plate and stuff the centers with oats and brown sugar.  You can use honey or another sweetener instead of brown sugar.  I'd drizzle about a 1/2 tablespoon of honey over each core.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and microwave another 30 seconds.  Look how delicious :) But be careful...mine was pretty warm...

Baked Apple

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071075

Ingredients

• 1 small apple
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon instant oats
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (or other sweetener)
• cinnamon

Instructions

Cut apple in half and remove core.

Place cut side down in a microwave bowl with water.

Microwave 1 1/2 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Place apple on plate and fill centers with oats and brown sugar.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and microwave 30 seconds.

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