I love easy weeknight meals. I also love comfort food that just takes you back in time and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. And these “Tastee” loose meat sandwiches are the perfect solution for a chilly weekday. In just a few minutes, using some condiments and spices you probably already have in your fridge and pantry, you’ll love this delicious recipe and how quickly it goes together.
This year, I’m quitting resolutions altogether. I know that’s an odd statement to make in the very beginning of a post all about making resolutions you’ll keep, but stick with me here… the best way to set resolutions you’ll actually keep is to STOP MAKING RESOLUTIONS. That doesn’t mean not to resolve to do anything… but it means changing your mindset and your tactics so you can experience resolution success.
We were waiting in line to meet Santa. It was a great day, but the crowd simply got to be too much for my little guy. The excitement of the morning, the need to wake up early for the special breakfast, and the sugar of pancake syrup were all combining for a perfect storm of shyness and jitters. “Mommy, please take me.” So, despite a few funny glances, I lifted my 4 year old onto my hip and held him close.
I love cookie recipes. What I don’t love is getting part of the way through my recipe and seeing “Now chill for 2 hours.” You know what happens when I chill for 2 hours? I end up with no cookies because the cookie dough was just too tempting… Who has time to wait while cookies chill? I don’t. Well, sometimes I do, but for this recipe, I don’t have to worry about the temptation… with these, you just mix, scoop, and bake.
Start these buttery sugar cookies with 1 cup of butter (or, 2 sticks) that you’ve melted in the microwave. Next, in a large bowl, add 2 cups of sugar, and 2 eggs.
Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and half a teaspoon of almond extract. I’ll sidenote by saying you don’t have to use the almond extract– my grandma’s recipe, which is what this one is based on, certainly didn’t contain it. But I feel like almond extract really brings out the buttery flavor of these cookies and compliments the vanilla nicely, so I like to add it in. Stir that all up until it’s well combined and the sugar has mostly dissolved.
Sift in 3 1/2 cups of flour, stirring after each cup. You’ll get a nice, thick dough.
Scoop balls of dough by the tablespoon, then roll it in granulated sugar. Place cookies a couple of inches apart on a greased baking dish, and bake for 12 minutes at 300.
Now… if you don’t want round cookies, you can chill this dough for 2 hours, roll it out on a floured surface, and cut it out with cutters. In that case, omit the extra granulated sugar. But if you’re cool with round cookies, skip the chilling step and just put them on the pan. For reals.
When they come out, I like to give them a nice WHACK with my spatula before scooping them onto a cooling rack, because it kind of flattens them into a nice, round shape. Otherwise, they’ll be a little puffed in the middle (so feel free to leave them that way!)
Which is better, the cookie or the dough? And do you have trouble waiting for cookies to chill, or is that just me? Let me know in the comments below!
Need more cookie ideas? Try my strawberries and creme miracle cookies or maple bacon pinata cookies!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareTheJoyOfPie #CollectiveBias
![Looking for the perfect dessert? You can #sharethejoyofpie with these apple pie egg rolls and easy 3-ingredient pumpkin pie ice cream. Even better? The ice cream doesn't require any special equipment-- just a mixer and a few ingredients. You'll love these dessert egg rolls, too-- they're perfect for parties or a great weekend at home. For Christmas, share the egg rolls or your favorite pie with neighbors in this adorable neighbor gift idea! #ShareTheJoyOfPie [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/0bXwR6p.jpg)
Mmm… pie. It’s easily my favorite dessert for Christmas– nothing says “celebration” like a big slice of dutch apple or pumpkin pie. But sometimes, you need a little twist on a classic, and that’s where today’s recipes come in. All you need is a couple of Marie Callender’s® Dessert Pies, a couple of extra ingredients, some Reddi-Wip®, and a mixer… and you’ll find some serious pie love.
Christmas is sweet… sometimes a little overly so. That’s why this custard pie is so perfect- it’s not too sweet, but it’s the perfect amount of sweetness for your dessert bar at your holiday party, a nice contrast from the overly sweet desserts that tend to pile up at the holidays. Plus, it’s beyond easy… especially if you use a pre-made crust!
I’m going to warn you now… these snackin’ crackers are nearly impossible to walk away from. You really cannot eat just one or two pieces, making them the perfect addition to your holiday spread. Trust me, whether you’re making these for tailgating, your New Year’s Eve party, or even this upcoming Christmas, these are going to fly off of the table and into your guests mouths, because… wow. They’re that good.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WaterMadeExciting #CollectiveBias
![Make your own sparkling champagne glasses for your next party-- 3 great ideas for adding a little whimsy to your glass (and helping guests tell their glasses apart!) Sparkle the glass, add your favorite sparkling drink, and you're party-ready to ring in the new year. #WaterMadeExciting [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/wwPGyzc.jpg)
I love a little glitter. Okay, I love a lot of glitter… there’s never enough sparkle in life, is there? With Christmas parties in full swing and New Years’ Eve coming up, I had to come up with a way to really make my party plans sparkle. And today, I’m sharing three of those ideas with you, plus some ideas to add a little extra pep to your sparkling water this season!
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Prismacolor, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #relaxandcolor http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
Relaxation is getting harder and harder to come by, isn’t it? I wouldn’t trade the life I have for the world, but sometimes at the end of the day, before I can close my eyes to sleep, I just need to take some time to… well, unwind. That’s a lot of why I’ve wholeheartedly jumped onto the adult coloring book craze– for me, it’s about a creative outlet where I just take a few minutes each night to color, relax, and breathe before I doze off. At first it started with colored pencils and a coloring book, but now I’ve added warm fuzzy socks, some nice chocolate, lit candles, and sipped some tea, and I have to say, it’s made for a much calmer me. But here’s the deal– it’s Christmastime, the season of giving, and I knew that I couldn’t keep this relaxation to myself. I had to put together the perfect gift of relaxation for my best friend.
This year, Santa wants Bacon, and to share that message, I’ve partnered with Farmland Bacon. This post is sponsored by Farmland, but all opinions are my own.
![Santa wants bacon. If you love bacon as much as Santa does, you'll love these maple bacon pinata cookies. They're packed with a full piece of bacon in each slice-- perfect for Santa OR for your Christmas party or cookie exchange! BaconForSanta [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/LGIm9Ai.jpg)
Bacon. I love bacon. Like… so much. But the problem is, I never get any bacon– my son always insists on stealing it from my plate. I’m pretty sure stealing bacon means he should end up on the naughty list… right? Luckily for him, Santa has offered a very great way to, well… improve your chances of not being on the naughty list. It’s easy– just give him bacon. That’s why this year, I have an idea so you don’t have to compromise between the traditional milk and cookies (yum) and what Santa really wants for Christmas– BACON (even yummier). Maple. Bacon. Pinata Cookies. That’s right– bacon filled cookies with a hint of maple flavor. I’m not joking. There’s a full slice of delicious Farmland bacon in every cookie.
