Triple Chocolate Cake Cookies

A few months ago I discovered cake batter cookies, which I must say are such a great invention! The cookies come out soft and chewie, which is a must in my book, and you can whip up a batch in no time flat! Here is the recipe I developed for Triple Chocolate Cake Cookies.

Makes 16-18 cookies ( Preheat oven to 350 degrees)

Ingredients

• 1/2 Box of Chocolate Cake Mix
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1/4 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 Cup White Chocolate Chips

Directions

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, and mix until well incorporated. The dough will be dryer than your typical cookie dough, but this is normal. Drop spoon-fulls of dough onto a baking sheet, and place into your preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool completely on a rack.

I think from start to finish you can easily have these cookies done in 20 minutes! Also with the wide variety of cake mixes out there you can create some really fun and tasty combinations!

Cranberry Crumble Cookies

Guess what it’s my day off again, and yes i’m back in the kitchen baking! I found this recipe on Pinterest while looking for Rhubarb recipes. Sadly when I went to the store they were  out of rhubarb, so I decided to get creative and sub in cranberries. I figure they will be a great addition to this cookie, because they have that same tartness that I was looking for. The recipe is adapted from OX Breakfast .

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Ingredients ( Makes about 20 mini cookies)

1. 2 Cups Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
2. 1/4-1/2 Cup Sugar ( I used 1/4 cup because I like my mixture more tart)
3. 1 Lemon Zested
4. 1 Lemon Juiced
5. 6 Tablespoons Butter, melted and cooled
6. 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
7. 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
8. 1/2 Cup Flour (whole wheat works)
9. 1/2 Cup Chopped Almonds (optional)
10. a big pinch of salt

Fruit Directions

Combine the first 4 ingredients on a baking pan, and place in oven once it has preheated. Baked until cranberries have softened and liquid has evaporated by half (about 20 minutes). Remove from oven and allow to cool. Reduce oven to 375 degrees.

Cookie Directions

Combine ingredients 5-10 in a mixing bowl, then fill silicone baking cups with 1 tablespoon of this mixture ( Substitute a mini  muffin pan if you don’t have the baking cups. I bought mine at the dollar store, so they really aren’t a huge investment if you want to go out and buy some).

Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and place a spoonful of cranberry mixture on top of each cookie. Sprinkle a small amount of the left over cookie mixture, and place cookies back in the oven for an addition 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to cool for 5 minutes in the baking cup. Transfer cookies out of the baking cups using a spoon, and place on a cooling rack.

These cookies are so easy and have such a bright flavor spring flavor!  Who knows, maybe the Easter Bunny will be making a special delivery of these cookies to some friends in the near future….

Chicken Gyro Wraps with Tzatiki Sauce

It wasn’t until college that I tasted my first Gyro, and at that point there was no turning back…. I often remember finding myself at a little Greek place near campus late on a Saturday night with friends, stuffing my face with that tender lamb meat (Yes a know a wonderful visual)! While the lamb was good it had nothing on that cool Cucumber sauce! I would order my meal with extra sauce in order to get my fix 🙂

While eating a big Gyro can be so satisfying, it can also create a not so lovely “Food Baby” in your belly… In order to get my Gyro on more often I make this delicious meal at home using chicken, and I have recreated that glorious cucumber sauce. Here is that recipe I use ( Makes 2 Servings)

Tzatiki Sauce

• 1/4 Cup Grated and Drained Cucumber
• 1/2 A Lemon Juiced
• 1 Cup Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Dry Dill
• 1 Garlic Clove Grated with a Micro Plane

Stir all ingredients to combine, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (the longer you can let it sit the better the flavor). Now move on to the Chicken.

Chicken Marinade

• 2 (5 oz) Chicken Breasts
• 1/4 Cup Greek Yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
• 1 Teaspoon Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt ( I use McCormic Brand. If you don’t have this product go get it! But if you don’t have this product a pinch of dry oregano, salt, and pepper will work just fine)

Place all ingredients into a Ziploc bag to marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. The yogurt and vinegar will help tenderize the meat and make it really flavorful.

After marinating take the meat out of the refrigerator, an allow it to come back to room temp for 10-15 minutes.

Grill chicken on a grill pan for the best flavor, if you don’t have one use your trusty saute pan. Cook till chicken reaches an internal temperature 170 degrees F. Allow the meat to rest for 5-10 minutes under a piece of tin foil to allow the juices to redistribute. While you wait get your wrap and toppings prepared.

Wrap and Toppings

• 2 Whole Wheat Tortillas
• Iceberg lettuce
• Thinly Sliced Red Onion
• Tomatoes

I used whole wheat tortillas, but any type of wrap will do just fine. Start by adding a row of lettuce, then thinly sliced red onion, and sliced tomatoes. I am not a fan of the tomatoes so I leave them out. When the chicken is done resting,  slice the meat and place next to the lettuce. Top with as much of that Tzatziki sauce as your little heart desires!

Roll everything up tightly and slice in half.

These chicken Gyros always hit the spot, and they also help me avoid that “Food Baby” issue 🙂

Holy Cupcake!

I had a massage this morning at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness (IBW)! Let me just say, if you have never had a service done by a student you are totally missing out! I’m there several times a month getting pampered, as I should be! From hair, to skin, and nails you can have a full spa day on a budget! I don’t know about you, but I love me a deal!

Ok, back to what this post is really about Cupcakes! As I was walking out from my appointment The Milwaukee Cupcake Company caught my eye. I have always want to try their creations, and today seemed like the perfect day! I got one for Alex, and one for myself. Lets just say I was very impressed! My cupcake was a pear and ginger cupcake, with glitter pear butter cream frosting, and the most adorable eatable flower on top. Absolute perfection. For Alex, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cupcake, with chocolate butter cream a drizzle of chocolate, and half a peanut butter cup on top.

So if you ever happen to be in the Third Ward stop on in and treat your sweet tooth! Happy weekend everyone!