Chocolate Creme De Menthe Cookies

Note: I was sent some baking tools from OXO in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

It’s that time of year again – OXO’s Bake a Difference Campaign is live! Every year, OXO supports Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and the fight against pediatric cancer. Before I share my cookie recipe, I wanted to tell you a bit about Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer (CFKC) is a nonprofit founded by two OXO employees after their son, Liam, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Through grassroots bake sales across the country, CFKC raises funds to develop new, improved and less toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Liam Witt’s legacy lives on as the organization works toward a cure for pediatric cancer, helping children and families everywhere.

Every year, OXO supports CFKC by encouraging people to bake and share. OXO sent me a bunch of baking goodies to help me get my creative juices flowing so I can share a new cookie recipe. This year’s kit included a 3-Piece Silicone Spatula SetSilicone Baking Cups (paid link)Non-Stick Pro 2 Piece Sheet Pan Set, and 3-Piece POP Round Canister Graduated Set.

For every cookie baked, OXO donates $1 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer up to $100,000, so here is my new cookie this year to support the cause and spread the word!

Here are some of my old cookie swap and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer posts, in case you’re in a baking mood:

To help support, you can also register for the Bake a Difference campaign and host a virtual bake sale or an in-person event!

Moving to this year’s cookie: These Creme de Menthe Cookies are chocolate crinkle cookies with a chocolatey mint center. It is based off a cookie recipe I found in an Amish Community Cookbook (paid link) I’ve had for years.

Ingredients (makes about 3 dozen cookies):

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons coffee
  • 1 teaspoon coffee extract (can substitute vanilla extract)
  • 1 (12 oz package) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Andes mint baking chips (paid link)

Continue reading Chocolate Creme De Menthe Cookies

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Note: I was sent some baking tools from OXO in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

If you follow this blog, you know I am a huge fan of OXO-branded, well, anything. And every year, OXO helps to raise funds for childhood pediatric cancer research, supporting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. In order to bring awareness to this organization each year, OXO has organized food blogger cookie swaps, which I’ve participated in since 2012.

Here are some of my old cookie swap and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer posts, in case you’re in a baking mood:

This year is a bit different. Instead, OXO is sponsoring The Cookie Chain, which empowers people to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and awareness of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer by baking, sending, and sharing packaged cookies to friends and loved ones. Participants can sign up via Cookies for Kids’ Cancer for a Cookie Chain kit including cookie bags, stickers and postcards about the promotion.

source: cookies for kids’ cancer

In the hopes of getting as many people involved as possible, I jumped at the chance to set up my own Fundraising page and got to baking! To help me get my bake on, OXO sent over some of their awesome baking tools. Here are some more details on those baking tools:

  • Silicone Baking Mat (paid link): The OXO Good Grips 2 Piece Half-Sheet Pan and Baking Mat Set is the perfect pair for any baking adventure. The reusable Silicone Baking Mat replaces parchment by transforming sheet pans into a non-stick surface. The food-safe silicone and fiberglass construction resists grease and residue and fits perfectly into the Half-Sheet Pan. Dishwasher safe. The Non-Stick Pro Half-Sheet pan is made from durable commercial-grade aluminized steel with a micro-textured pattern that promotes airflow under and around food for even, consistent cooking. The two-layer scratch- and stain-resistant coating is PFOA free and ceramic reinforced for exceptional performance for years to come.
  • 3 Piece Mixing Bowl Set: Non-slip bottoms ensure the Mixing Bowls stay put on countertops and feature a soft, comfortable handle that’s easy to grip. The wide lip and spout make it easy to pour ingredients. Bowls nest for convenient storage.
  • Dough Whisk: When it comes to mixing dough by hand, a spoon just won’t cut it. You need a dedicated dough whisk to cut through thick dough. The solid stainless steel wires prevent sticking while the unique shape incorporates wet and dry ingredients with less effort. The innovative handle shape and soft, comfortable grip reduce pressure on your hands to prevent fatigue while you work. Once your cookies are in the oven, it’s easy to clean dough from between the coils. Dishwasher safe.
  • Medium Cookie Scoop: This size 40 portioner is designed for easy scooping and consistent shaping. The soft grip absorbs pressure while you squeeze to smoothly release your cookie dough. Dishwasher safe.
  • Baker’s Dusting Wand: With a quick twist to open and close, and a half-solid, half-perforated globe design, the Baker’s Dusting Wand is designed to prevent clumps, dumps and powdery messes. Perforation allows for evenly floured baking pans and lightly dusted baked goods. Sized to fit in most flour containers for storage.
These baking tools were the perfect excuse to make a cookie recipe I had been eyeing up for a while now, Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies!
My recipe is based off a NYT Cooking recipe that can be found here. This recipe utilized both baking powder and baking soda so that the cookies rise and then fall quickly, created the crinkled effect on the cookies.
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 (0.67 oz) tube of red food coloring gel (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more as needed

Continue reading Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Smores Cookies

Note: I was sent OXO’s 8-Piece POP Container Baking Set in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

Have you picked up on my love of S’mores yet? 🙂 As a city girl, I don’t get the opportunity to enjoy an actual s’mores over an open fire very often, so I love creating the same flavors at home in baked goods and other treats. So you know I jumped on the opportunity to make a batch of Marc Murphy’s Smores Cookies to support Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

Every year, OXO makes a commitment to donate up to $100,000 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, donating $100 for every blog post (like this one). In order to help me make this post, OXO sent over their new 8-Piece POP Container Baking Set.

source: https://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org/

I have been using POP Containers for years, and couldn’t wait to use the new and improved versions! As always, the POP containers are a must-have to keep your pantry organized. The clear containers are airtight, stackable, space-efficient, and the new versions are completely dishwasher safe! I use POP containers for everything from my baking supplies to grains, lentils, dried beans… you name it! The 8 piece baking set includes two 0.4 qt containers (great for baking powder, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, etc.), one 1.1 qt container (perfect for brown sugar), and two 4.4 qt containers (sized to fit 5 lb bags of flour and sugar), along with some other baking-centric goodies: two 1/2 cup scoops that secure to the underside of the lids and a brown sugar terracotta saver that keeps brown sugar soft and clump-free. Besides now being completely dishwasher safe, another upgrade is the handy fill line, so you don’t overfill your POP containers.

source: oxo.com

I couldn’t wait to fill up my new POP containers. I used the 4.4 quart containers for flour and sugar (I clearly need to add sugar to my grocery list!), and added the 1/2 cup measuring scoops to the containers. I filled the 1.1 quarter container with light brown sugar, and, after soaking the Brown Sugar Saver in water for 15 minutes, secured it to the underside of the lid.

Lastly, I filled the 0.4 quart containers with baking soda (hooray! no more worrying about the potency of my open baking soda!) and my graham cracker crumbs.

I adjusted the original recipe just a bit, so visit this link if you’d like to see the original.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cup (5 ½ ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (3 ¾ ounces) graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 12 tablespoons (6 ounces, or 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (3 ½ ounces) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (3 ounces) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 (12 ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup mini marshmallows

Continue reading Smores Cookies

Old Fashioned Cupcakes

Note: I was sent a Non-Stick Pro 12 Cup Muffin Pan, Silicone Baking Cups, and a Baker’s Decorating Tool from OXO. All opinions are my own.

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, so I’m sharing this recipe a bit ahead of time. Every year, OXO donates up to $100,000 to support an organization called Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. The organization was founded by two OXOnians (OXO employees) who were inspired by their son Liam’s battle with pediatric cancer, a disease which claims the lives of more children in the US than any other disease. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer provides inspiration and support to allow anyone to easily get involved in fundraising to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

To help reach their goal, OXO donates $100 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer for each blogger who posts a recipe to bring awareness, up to their $100,000 commitment. I’ve posted twice a year for the last few years to help bring awareness to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Click here to see some of my past posts.
This year, OXO sent me Silicone Baking Cups, a Non-Stick Pro 12 Cup Muffin Pan, and a Baker’s Decorating Tool to make this post.
Here’s a little about each product:
  • The Non-Stick Pro Muffin Pan (paid link) features a unique micro-textured pattern that ensures even baking and adds structural rigidity. It’s made with a ceramic-reinforced, two-layer, commercial-grade coating that provides ultimate non-stick release and is scratch-, stain-, corrosion- and abrasion-resistant.
  • The BPA-free Baking Cups have handy tabs to help remove them from muffin tins without making a thumbprint, and the inside of each Cup is smooth and non-stick to release your treat easily. With a fill line, your cupcakes will be consistent every time.
  • Our easy-to-use, easy-to-fill Baker’s Decorating Tool is designed to give you complete control while decorating. The unique trigger provides a smooth stream of icing for clean lines, and the comfortable handles ensure a steady grip and protect icing from warm hands.

I wanted to make a new, fun, and different cupcake to try out all of these cool tools. My husband and I are huge fans of Old Fashioned Cocktails, so I decided to turn those flavors into Old Fashioned Cupcakes! Note: the frosting contains alcohol so this is not a kid-friendly recipe.

To bring in the flavors of an Old Fashioned, I made a Vanilla-Orange Cupcake and topped it with Bourbon-Orange Cream Cheese Frosting. To finish it off, I added a maraschino cherry and some orange peel.

Ingredients:

Vanilla-Orange Cupcakes: (adapted from a Martha Stewart Recipe)

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • vanilla bean, split and scraped out
  • the zest of 1 navel orange
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeeze orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached All Purpose White Flour)
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Bourbon-Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • the zest of 1 navel orange

Other ingredients:

  • peels from 1 navel orange
  • 12 maraschino cherries

Continue reading Old Fashioned Cupcakes

Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies #OXOGoodCookies

Each year in the fall, OXO adds a little sticker to select baking items to help spread the word and raise money for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. A portion of the proceeds from each product sold with the sticker is donated to the cause.

 

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a recognized 501c(3) public charity duly incorporated under the laws of the state of New Jersey. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. 100% of proceeds raised by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer fund pediatric cancer research.

 

 

In addition to the proceeds from sold stickered products, OXO will be donating $100 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer for each blog post dedicated to this campaign in October (up to our $100,000 commitment*.)

*In 2015, OXO will donate up to $100,000 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer through product proceeds, bake sale matches and other fundraising efforts

 

I’ve done posts the past couple of years, including a recipe for Spritz Butter Cookies and Vegan Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.

OXO was kind enough to send me a “cookie kit” to help me make another batch of cookies for this cause. The kit included:

 

So, here is this year’s blog post for #OXOGoodCookies! I have been in a chocolatey mood since participating in #Choctoberfest last week, so why not add a bit more chocolate to our lives?

 

These cookies really bring the chocolate: dark chocolate cocoa powder gives the cookies their dark color, espresso granules enhance the chocolate flavor, and chopped hazelnuts add some crunch!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons), at room temperature
  • 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar with 1 tablespoon molasses added)
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso granules
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (I used mini)

Continue reading Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies #OXOGoodCookies

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