If you're looking for a pretty, delicate cookie, this might not be for you.  This recipe is a combination of a few things.  First of all, last October Stefanie at Sarcastic Cooking (you have to follow her blog, the recipes are ah-mazing) posted this recipe and we've been obsessed.  I'd never thought to put Corn Flakes in a cookie before! Normally we make the traditional green cornflake wreaths, but I thought I should just make cookies!  Last spring, I found some mint chocolate marshmallows on clearance (they're still good, lol) and I had to use them!  So here we are: cocoa, marshmallow, Corn Flake and chocolate cookies. I decided to call them Cocoa Chewy Gooey Cookies, since it makes the girls smile.  

Here's what you need:

• 1 cup of coconut butter (or 2 sticks of butter)
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2/3 cup of brown sugar, packed
•  1 egg
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder (Trader Joe's mint cocoa is awesome too!)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups Corn Flakes (Don't substitute Special K, I tried...no bueno)
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1.5 cups mint chocolate marshmallows (or plain mini)

Let's Bake!

1. I highly recommend a stand mixer, but a hand one will work too!  Use the paddle attachment.  Add butter and sugars.  After about 3 minutes of mixing, scrape down the sides, and add egg, cocoa and vanilla. Mix for another 4 minutes. (If you are hand mixing, this totally counts as a workout!)
2. In a small bowl (I like to use a clean quart yogurt container) mix flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add flour mixture.  Mix on low for no more than a minute. 
3. Add the cornflakes, chocolate chips, and marshmallows. Mix together just until combined.
4. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (or a Silpat, which is on my Christmas dream list!).
5. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop out portions of dough and place them on the parchment. Cover the cookies and press the dough down so it is more of a flat disc. Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 375.
7. Line additional baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Place dough on cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches in between since they spread out.  Bake cookies for 10-13 minutes, until the edges become lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool for a bit, before putting on cooling racks. Cookies will continue to harden as they cool.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies...if you don't eat the dough like I do. 


These are addicting!  I love the chocolaty, chewy, crunchy, gooey combo...plus the subtle mint flavor.  Mmmm, mmm! Santa would love these too.

What do you have baking this season?  Recipes please! 

Better Baking with M&Ms! {Coupon alert!!}

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client.

Want to impress your friends with your baking skills?  Bake a dessert that will be the highlight of every meal with M&M's® chocolate candies!   

Print out your coupon, buy some M&M's® at Walmart, and pre-heat the oven, because whether you have an office or class party, or just want to treat your family, it's time to get out the oven mitts and start baking! #BakingIdeas

I like to keep M&Ms on hand for a quick dessert or snack.  Cookie bars can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes.  

Need some fresh M&M ideas?  Check out the Bright Ideas website! 

 

What do you bake with M&Ms?! I'm always looking for new ideas.  Enjoy the coupon!

Healthified Green Bean Casserole with Stonyfield Yogurt!

Nothing makes me more excited than finding a healthy alternative for foods I'm cooking.  Even better when you can't tell the difference!  Yogurt has been my favorite substitute for a couple of years now.  Check out my awesome yogurt banana bread! 

With all of the cooking and baking coming up for the holidays, buying a big tub or two of yogurt will help you healthify so many things!  Making a spinach dip that uses mayo?  Use yogurt instead! On the Stonyfield website, they have a super handy guide for you!  For the most part, the substitution is a 1:1 ratio, and you can choose regular or Greek yogurt, plain and lowfat.

If you are hesitant to make the switch, try a 50/50 substitution to start with.  For sour cream, I prefer Greek yogurt, since it has that thick texture.

This green bean casserole takes maybe 5 minutes longer because you have to wash and chop the mushrooms, but the health benefits are worth it!  Adding yogurt instead of the can of soup makes the protein of the dish go way up and the sodium drops drastically!  Also, there is less fat.  I could continue to make the dish healthier by omitting the French fried onions, but it's really not green bean casserole without them!

 Here's what you'll need:

• 1 large bag of frozen green beans- Cut or French style
• 1 cup Stonyfield plain 0% Greek yogurt
• 8-12 oz package of fresh mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup skim milk
• Dash of soy sauce
• 1 container of fried onions 
• Salt & Pepper, to taste.  

1.  Clean and slice the mushrooms.  If you prefer to dice them, that works too!
2. Heat a pan over medium heat.  Add the mushrooms and a touch of EVOO.  Saute until cooked and softened.  Pepper and salt them as desired (I tend to go heavier on pepper).  Add a dash of soy sauce. 
3. Clear a hole in the middle of the pan for the butter to melt.  After melted, sprinkle with the flour.  Cook for 1 minute (the flour can mix in with the mushrooms).
4. Slowly add milk.  Mixture will be very thick.  Now slowly add yogurt.  If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk.  
5. Add green beans in the pan, frozen.  Cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Place mixture into a casserole dish.  Top with fried onions!  

Here are some other ways you can healthify your holiday dishes:

• Cut back on the butter and add yogurt in your mashed potatoes.
• Make these tasty yogurt biscuits for breakfast or Thanksgiving meal! 
• For baking, check out the Stonyfield site for TONS of tasty ideas! Even snag a few coupons while you're there!

What healthy tips do you have for holiday cooking and baking? I'm all ears!