1/3 cup butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
Cream the peanut butter and butter together; beat in the sugars, eggs and vanilla until well combined. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt until well mixed, then fold in the miniature chocolate chips. Spread into a 9" x 9" greased baking dish.
Bake in preheated 350 oven for about 30 minutes, but start checking for doneness (toothpick test) at 25 minutes. They will be done when the top springs back a little, don't over bake.
I can't believe that it is time to start thinking about Christmas baking!! It is my favorite time of year, when I can bake with wild abandon and it all goes into the freezer for holiday cookie boxes. Do YOU give cookie boxes as gifts? How do you present the cookies? I usually just put my baked goods in a decorated large foil pan, but I'm looking for something a little different this year...maybe more festive? Any ideas?
13 comments:
I usually use a pretty tin to put my cookies in when I give them as gifts. I usually wrap them in a pretty Christmas napkin and then put a Christmas or white doiley on top to cover them. Very nice...
We are trying to downsize after retirement. I like to use odd plates or baskets that are still nice. Wrap them in cellaphane and add a bow, or raffia. I also watch dollar stores or garage sales during the year for unique items.
I like to give cookies and candies in holiday tins that I buy when the after Christmas sales start.
My aunt used to buy the 4 x 6 inch tins, line them with wax paper, pour home made fudge into them and give them to people as their own personal sized fudge bar.
You could also use those pre decorated / printed gift boxes. Just pack your cookies inside one of those.
I'm going to make these peanut butter brownies today. They look yummy!
I found some cute Gladware containers at my local Target, they have winter prints on the side and red and green lids. I like the idea of using them instead of foil so the can be reused again and again or recycled if they wear out. Price wise they were about the same as foil tins- I think they were $2.50 for a 3 pack. I hope that helps! :)
I always give mine in a woven straw or wicker basket with a dish towel underneath the baked goods and a big red and green and gold Tartan bow tied to the handle!!! Always beautiful!!!
Hi Coleen! First I just want to say that I love your blog and all the recipes you offer. I have saved alot of them for some future meals! To give cookies at Christmas.. I haunt the local thrift stores for some really cool Christmas plates, platters etc. Then I put three or four cookies in a pretty cupcake liner and then fill the plate or platters with these. I also add some cupcake liners filled with nuts and chocolates to the plate as well. Then I wrap it in celophane and add a pretty bow. I also tell them to keep the plate or pass it on.It makes a nice little gift for co-workers or special people.
Thanks,
Wanda
Olde Crow Mercantile
Hi Coleen! Last year for the kids' teachers and associates we made an assortment of cookies, chocolate covered nuts (your recipe), microwave peanut brittle (your recipe) and the Chrismas Fruit Ladder (also your recipe). I bought shirt boxes, which we decorated, and lined the bottom with foil. I put all the goodies in there. It turned out pretty cute.
If I'm not giving something as big as a fruit ladder, I just wrap the cookies up on a melamine Christmas plate (or even a disposable plate) with either colored saran wrap or cute press and seal wrap. I tie it with a little ribbon or rafia.
My little chocolate hater would love these (minus the choc chips, of course)! He always hates it when there is not a chocolate-free dessert option. These would be perfect to keep on hand for him.
I usually visit the dollar store to look for cookie plate options. They have cute real plates, baskets, metal and plastic containers that are decorated for Christmas.
My daughter has taken over the holiday baking these past few years and, even at 21, insits upon the traditional cookie tins. Some times we have to drive all over the suburbs finding the right sizes and quantities. I have wanted to, for a select few, use nice baskets for the outer container, but just can not get her to buy into that
I usually give away my cookies on decorated paper/foil plates. I'm thinking of using Christmas decorated tins this year. No wrapping needed, maybe just a bow.
I'll be watching your post for more ideas.
http://pinterest.com/pin/98657048056614727/ I think this is a cute idea- taking an old oatmeal container, covering it in scrapbook paper, and putting cookies in there! It would be cute with a pretty bow on top! I've also seen it done with pringles cans. I don't normally give cookies in my baskets, but everything else, I just put a few pieces of candy in cellophane bags and then put them all in a pretty basket, wrap it in cellophane wrap (from Hobby Lobby) and then put a pretty bow and tag on it!
Mmmm..these sound tasty, I bet the kids would love 'em!
I do give cookies, candies, etc... I usually use holiday-decorated tins that I pick up on clearance the year before lined with tissue paper. Sometimes a fun Chinese take-out style box, if I'm giving something stackable. Sometimes little pastry bags. I use whatever strikes my fancy and pleases my pocket book ;)
These look so good. I have used many containers to give cookies and candy for Christmas. One year all I did was buy some inexpensive pizza pans and made giant cookies in each pan to give to my friends. They seemed to like the giant cookies. Thanks.
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