Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

The other day I tried one of these cookies and had to make them.

So glad I did.

Kudos to Chef Anette for sharing! :)

I love the recipe, and to be honest... I usually hate Oatmeal Raisin cookies.

This recipe is a keeper!!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Source: Culinary Institute of America

Makes 48 cookies

Flourless cooking spray for greasing

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups tightly packed light brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

3 large eggs

5 cups rolled oats

1 1/4 cups dark raisins Maldon Salt for top of cookies

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a bowl and set aside.

In a stand mixer use paddle attachment to cream together the butter, sugars, and vanilla on medium speed until smooth and a light texture, approx. 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each one. Add the dry ingredients on low speed. Then fold in the oats and raisins. Chill dough for 10 minutes.

Divide the dough into four and roll each section into parchment paper to make a foot long log. Refrigerate until firm enough to cut. -30 mins-

Slice logs into cookies, sprinkle with a tiny pinch of Maldon salt and bake 2 inches apart. Bake 12-15 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Challah French Toast

What bread makes the BEST French Toast?

My pick would have to be Challah! :)

:note: always use real vanilla, you will definitely taste the difference!

4 Eggs

1 Cup Milk

1-2 Tsp Cinnamon

Splash of Vanilla

One Loaf Challah

Make sure to cut the Challah in thick slices.

Whisk all ingredients together and place a pat of butter in skillet on medium heat.

Brown on both sides, and smother with syrup. :)

Yankee Candle Lip Balm

Holy cupcakes!

Seriously, Vanilla cupcake - Buttercream lip balm?

I'm all over that like icing on cake! :)

This is a sweet treat for my lips that doesn't go to my hips, hehe!

I was in the mall getting candles at

Yankee Candle and they had these at the register and I had to have them!!

They also have these scents in candles :)

Warning: they are not edible although you might want to eat them!

I was not sponsored by any of the above, these are items I purchased and use regularly :)

Wordless Wednesday - Cupcake Liners

They had some new liners at the store..

I couldn't resist buying all the packs they had of the Pink Cupcakes! :)

Quick and delicious

Top Left:

Store bought chicken salad with crackers, yum!!

Top Right:

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 Cup Sour Cream

1 Cup Mayonnaise

1 Cup Grated Parmesan

1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella

2- 10 oz Packages Frozen Chopped Spinach, defrosted and drained

2- 14 oz cans Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped

4 Cloves Minced Garlic

1/4 Cup Shredded Mozzarella

Pre-heat oven to 350

Combine all but 1/4 cup Mozzarella. Mix until combined and top with the 1/4 Cup Mozzarella.

Bake in Pyrex glass or your favorite oven safe casserole dish

for 20-25 minutes.

Bottom Center:

Grape Jelly Chili Meatballs

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1- 32 oz Jar Grape Jelly

2- 12oz Chili Sauce, such as Heinz

84 Frozen Meatballs (approx.)

Combine Jelly and Chili sauce in stock pot and bring to a boil, jelly should be liquefied.

Add frozen meatballs and cook for 2.5-3 hours.

Enjoy

Food Network, HGTV -- Bye bye?

Are you serious..??

It's true.. As of January 1, 2010 Food Network and HGTV both a program of Scripps Network

were cancelled from IO (Cablevision).

They were unable to reach an agreement and now my

$150 cable bill seems pointless without my favorite channels.

I'm paying so much already, more than other companies..

For what?

Good luck Cablevision if they are not able to get Food Network and HGTV back on.

I'm sure they'll lose more money than they "planned" on saving.

Demand Cablevision to bring back your favorite channels.

Food Network HGTV