Left over gratification

If you’re anything like me, then you definitely stock up on sweet chocolates during christmas time. It’s almost overload, but I always end up with left overs. I was thinking of different ways I could use these extra chocolates by incorporating them into other recipes and remembered that nothing is better than peanut butter and chocolate. mmm Reese’s.

Since I am no baker, I took the easy way out. So I went out and bought a pouch of Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix. I picked out about 6 medium sized Patchi milk chocolate pieces to mix into the cookies. It’s only 9 minutes for preparation time and 10 minutes of baking time!

Ingredients

1 pouch (1lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon water
1 egg

Directions

- Preheat the oven to 375°F

1. Prepare 6 medium sized chocolate pieces.

2. In a medium bowl, add the oil and water.

3. Crack one egg into the bowl.

4. Throw in the cookie mix.

5. Un-wrap the chocolate and cut them into small pieces.

6. Crush the pieces with any type of crusher that is strong.

7. Add the crushed chocolate to the cookie mix.

8/9. Stir the ingredients until a soft dough forms.

10. Shape dough into 36 (1-inch) balls.

11. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. For even baking, make sure cookies are the same shape and size.

12. Remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely, about 20 minutes. Now it’s ready to try these yummy treats! mmm…

You could also use these delicious cookies that you just baked as a nice little party favor or thank you favor in the new year! It will make a fun project. Just follow these instructions to create a nice package!

What you’ll need:

Baked Cookies
Clear plastic box like this
Gold ribbon (thick and thin)
Scissors
Liquid glue

Directions

1. Pick out a bunch of cookies, a clear plastic box like this and some gold (or any color you like) ribbon available at any craft store.

2. Glue the thick ribbon around the bottom of the box and glue from the back.

3. Place the cookies in the box and close the lid.

4. Put the thin ribbon through the thick horizontal one and pull through over the box and under the thick ribbon on the other side.

5. Turn the box over and bring the ribbon together to tie in the middle and criss-cross. This creates a ‘plus’ on the back of the box, and flip the box back over to make it right side up.

6. Cut the string and tie the together to make a knot.

7. Use the scissors against the surface of the straight ribbon to create curls.

8. Cut about 6 inches of the thin ribbon and tie around the knot, and follow step 7.

9. Voila! You’ve got your cookie favors!

Who would you give these favors to? Enjoy!

(images: samia kallidis for burrs & berries)