Easy-to-Make Cookies to Satisfy Sweet Cravings

(Family Features) Whether it’s a home-cooked meal, a tasty snack or a delicious dessert, sometimes the best recipes are the easiest. Take your sweets to the next level by adding an option to your cookbook that’s as simple as it is tempting and satisfying.

These Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies require only three everyday ingredients that can be prepped and baked in less than half an hour. Just preheat the oven; mix the peanut butter, sugar and one egg; roll into individual balls then flatten on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes.

The key ingredient is the flavorful peanut butter that packs a protein punch while delivering the taste that’ll bring loved ones back for seconds.

Find more ways to incorporate peanuts and peanut butter into your desserts at gapeanuts.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 8-10 minutes

• 1          cup peanut butter
• 1          cup granulated sugar
• 1          large egg

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar and egg.
3. Using small cookie scoop, place dough balls on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Flatten with fork to make traditional peanut butter cookie crisscross pattern.
4. Bake 8-10 minutes until done. Cool thoroughly before removing from cookie sheet. Store in air-tight container.

SOURCE:
Georgia Peanut Commission

(BPT) - When Inga Lam of BuzzFeed’s Tasty, the world’s largest social food network, gets going in the kitchen, she makes sure to consider all aspects of her baking process when creating the perfect treat. As a Tasty Creator, Inga is known for showing budding chefs how to sharpen their skills and live out their top-chef dreams by creating viral recipes that are easy to recreate at home. Below, you’ll find her tips to make holiday cookies that will stun this holiday season.

1. Check Your Temperature

To ensure top-quality results when baking, precise temperature is paramount. During prep, eggs and butter must be room temperature (unless the recipe calls for your butter to be melted) as this will guarantee proper spread and texture.

2. Tender Love and Cookie Care

Once the oven is preheated to the desired temperature, let it continue to sit a while longer to ensure that your treats are being cooked in the perfect baking environment. As the Official Oven of the Tasty Kitchen, LG ProBake Convection ovens make this task foolproof thanks to convection technology that evenly distributes heat on every rack. When finished baking, let your cookies rest on the baking sheet even before transferring them to a cooling rack. While warm cookies are tempting, let them properly cool to prevent breakage and loss of shape — perfection cannot be rushed!

3. The Art of Cookie Decór

While there’s no right or wrong way to decorate your cookies, start small and gradually build onto your designs — remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take away! Piping designs with icing is a fun and easy way to create a mix of textures and designs. Fun fact: sprinkles hide everything; so if you ever mess up, just add more sprinkles!

4. Capturing Your Cookie Candids

You’ve worked so hard on your one-of-a-kind holiday cookies, and now it’s time to capture your masterpiece. No professional camera needed; just whip out your smartphone and find the best spot in the house for natural light. Never use flash!

5. The Perfect Post

Everyone knows it’s all about the angles. Top-down is Tasty’s signature style, but shooting at a 45° angle is my personal favorite for showing the full scope of what I’ve made. Feel free to be playful, but always make sure the background is clear of obstructions. Showing your hands is a great way to show how you engage with your food, and don’t be afraid to stage a few props to create a fitting atmosphere for your dish!

To make your own Tasty cookies at home, visit lgtastycookieclub.com and receive your first LG | Tasty Cookie Club kit.

Helpful Holiday Recipes for the Home Chef

(Family Features) With everything that goes into creating a full holiday menu for guests of different ages and palates, taking on that task can be a challenge for any host. However, simple recipes that please the masses can help make life easier for home chefs.

From the main dish all the way to dessert, plus the drinks in-between, put these recipes to the test to help make your holiday gathering a breeze. Put your adult guests at ease with a cranberry-flavored cocktail, followed by a main course made sweet thanks to this turkey brine. As things come to a close, finish off any leftover appetites with a quick cookie recipe.

To help make your holiday hosting easier, find more tips and recipes at Culinary.net.

Dessert in a Snap

After spending hours preparing appetizers, drinks and the main course for holiday get-togethers, many hosts are ready to call it quits in the kitchen. However, that won’t stop guests from getting those late cravings for a tasty treat. If you’re looking for a reprieve from being the lead chef, go for a quick dessert like these Gingersnap cookies, which take just 10 minutes to bake and can leave hosts with more time to mingle. For more quick, nutritious recipes for every meal, visit AICR.org.

Gingersnaps

Reprinted with permission from the American Institute for Cancer Research
Yield: 24 cookies

• 3/4       cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2       cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2       teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4    teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2       teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8       teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/3       cup dairy-free butter shortening sticks
• 1/2       cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
• 2          tablespoons unsulphured molasses
• 1          large egg white
• Glaze (optional):
• 1/3       cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2          teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. In mixing bowl, whisk flours, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, pepper and salt.
3. In separate bowl, use electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat shortening sticks with 1/2 cup sugar 2 minutes. Add molasses and egg white; beat 3 minutes. Set mixer on low speed and mix in dry ingredients to combine. Don’t over-mix. Batter will form soft ball.
4. Place remaining sugar in wide, shallow bowl. Pinch about 1 tablespoon batter and roll it between palms, forming 1-inch ball. Place ball in bowl with sugar and roll to coat then place on light-colored, ungreased baking sheet. Repeat, spacing balls 2 inches apart. Discard leftover sugar. Using bottom of a glass, press to flatten each ball into 1-by-3-inch disks.
5. Bake cookies 10 minutes.
6. To make glaze, if desired: While cookies bake, in small bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar with lemon juice, mixing until sugar is completely dissolved.
7. When cookies are done, immediately use spatula to transfer to wire cooling racks. Using tip of knife, spread 1/4 teaspoon glaze on top of each warm cookie. Cool completely.

Note: Can be stored in cookie tin up to 1 week.

Cranberry Cocktail Cravings

If holiday cocktails are on your menu, give guests a twist on a classic with this Cranberry Moscow Mule made with Nemiroff Original Vodka. This premium vodka is bold with a smooth, full-bodied finish that hints of citrus and fruit. Combined with cranberry juice and ginger beer, it’s an ideal holiday cocktail. Find more holiday cocktail options at nemiroff.vodka.

Cranberry Moscow Mule

• 1          part Nemiroff Original Vodka
• 1          part cranberry juice cocktail
• 2          parts ginger beer
• 1          tablespoon lime juice
• ice
• orange wedges, for garnish (optional)
• fresh cranberries, for garnish (optional)
• rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)

1. Pour vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, ginger beer and lime juice into copper mug filled with ice. Gently stir to combine.
2. Garnish with orange wedges, fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs, if desired.

A Sweeter Centerpiece

A holiday meal is only complete with the centerpiece of the table: a tender turkey that side dishes and desserts can complement for guests of all palates. For a new twist on a holiday classic, add some sweetness to your main course with a Sweet Tea Turkey Brine, featuring Milo’s Famous Sweet Tea. It’s freshly brewed from real tea leaves using simple, quality ingredients free from preservatives, colors or added acids. The family- and certified women-owned business offers a multitude of beverages, all with the same dedication to quality and excellence. Find more information and recipes at drinkmilos.com.

Milo’s Sweet Tea Turkey Brine

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes per pound

• 1          gallon Milo’s Sweet Tea
• 1          cup kosher salt
• 3          large sweet onions, quartered
• 4          lemons, sliced
• 8          garlic cloves, peeled
• 5          sprigs rosemary
• 10        cups ice
• 1          turkey

1. In large stock pot over medium heat, combine tea and kosher salt. Stir frequently until salt is dissolved. Add onion, lemon, garlic and rosemary. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
2. When brine has cooled, pour into food-grade, 5-gallon plastic container. Stir in ice.
3. Wash and dry turkey. Remove innards. Place turkey, cavity-side up, into brine, making sure cavity gets filled. Cover and place bucket in refrigerator overnight.
4. Heat oven to 350° F.
5. Remove turkey from brine, draining excess, and pat dry. Discard excess brine.
6. Cook turkey 15-20 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature reaches 165° F on instant-read thermometer, reserving drippings for gravy.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Gingersnaps and Turkey Brine)

SOURCE:
Culinary.net