Chewy Hot-Cocoa Cookies

1 small box of instant chocolate pudding
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Mix pudding mix, butter & sugar.  Add in egg & vanilla.  Mix flour & baking powder in a separate bowl.  Combine the mixtures.

Roll the dough out to 1/4" thick [I use an adjustable rolling pin & a Bethany pastry board to make this step simple]

Cut cookies & place them on a parchment covered cookie sheet, 1/4-1/2" apart. 

Bake the cookies for 6 mins @ 350 degrees. 

They will appear slightly puffy when they come out of the oven, let them completely cool on a cooling rack & they will return to their original shape.
  
*A quick tip: I dust my pastry board [& the ball of dough] with mixture of flour & SUGAR before I roll the dough out.

Whipped Cream Frosting:
2-3 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 pint of heavy whipping cream

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend the ingredients until they reach a "whipped cream" consistency.

Refrigerate the cookies once they are "frosted" to preserve the whipped cream topping.

To dress them up: I sprinkle them with a little hot cocoa mix, Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits [tiny dehydrated marshmallow bits], & add a mini candy cane or crushed candy canes.

 

Blue Ribbon Sloppy Joes

 Ok, so I've never actually won a ribbon for these... But you be the judge.  I'd place my bet on these 'Joes in any competition.

Here's the recipe:

2 lbs ground beef
1/2 large onion, diced
3/4 c. water
5 teaspoons minced garlic
2/3 c. ketchup
1/3 c. chili sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2-3 teaspoons chili powder
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 splash of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce [clear bottle, red sauce, green top, rooster on the label]
Salt & pepper to taste
 *Optional, but HIGHLY recommended:  1- 22oz can of Bush's Best Grillin' Beans [Bourbon & Brown Sugar]

Brown the ground beef in a large, deep skillet [or pot, if you don't have a deep skillet]
Add the onion [I do this before the beef is completely browned]
Once the beef is browned & onions are soft, add the water
At med/low heat, add the remaining ingredients & let simmer until it thickens!


Serve 'em up & enjoy.

These are perfect on a cold day... especially after hours of shoveling - or thinking about what hours of shoveling would feel like, while watching your husband hard at work through the window.





 

Cupcake Stands

 

I made these mini cake stands by bonding an upside-down cup to a small saucer with 100% clear silicone caulk.  Once they are put together with the silicone, leave them untouched for 24 hours!  They are dishwasher safe.   

 

 How cute would this be on top of a dresser for jewelry?  Or a sink-side dish for soap & sponges?

Watch for these on our Coonskin June Etsy Shop [Coming Soon!]  I'll keep everyone posted on our grand opening!