Trail Mix Cookies

My little galley kitchen transformed into a Christmas treat factory this year. Specialty ice creams, meringues, toffee. So much sugary goodness.

Now that all the Christmas goodies are gone, I find myself still scurrying through cabinets for something sweet. Bad habits dying hard, I suppose.

Rather than the traditional January crash diet, I like to move myself slowly back to healthy bathing suit season food. Swap the rich, sugary fluff for a hearty oatmeal cookie instead. I'm on an apricot and cranberry kick right now, providing direction for Trail Mix Cookies. Hearty, protein-packed cookies shoved full of spices, fruit and nuts. Granola wishes it had grown up to be this cookie. I can hear its muffled regret from inside the cereal box. These are seriously delicious.

15 Minute Peanut Butter Cookies

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Here it is - a 15-minute cookie recipe, as in 15 minutes from the time you feel the urge for cookies until they're on the oven rack cooling. How? I don't know, but it works. Just what Tim and I needed the other night after a long day.

Ingredients

1 c peanut butter (crunchy is fine, natural is fine)

1 c sugar

1 t vanilla

1 egg

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. Voila! Instant gratification

Mine came out a little soft. In my exhausted daze, I think I put them in before the oven preheated.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tim loves a good chocolate chip cookie. In fact, he asked for groom's cookies instead of a groom's cake. I just have to indulge him with some homemade goodness occasionally, especially during rainy weather. I know everyone has a chocolate chip cookie recipe. But here's mine.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1 c butter, softened
3/4 c brown sugar
3/4 c sugar

Cream together and add:
1 t vanilla
2 eggs

Mix thoroughly then add:
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1 T instant coffee granules
1/4 c cocoa powder

Mix and add:
2 c chocolate chips

Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Cool in baking rack.