Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with white chocolate chips

This is my third year participating in the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap!  That means that I have sent, and received, approximately 108 tasty cookies through this exchange.   Each year after sign-up you get assigned to three different bloggers, you bake up three dozen cookies, send a dozen to each different blogger, and then wait by your mailbox for your cookies to arrive.  I made the above cookies, but more about those later...

Check out what I got!

Delicious Double Chocolate Biscotti with Almonds and Sea Salt from Blogging over Thyme

Classic Coconut Macaroons from Ink Foods

Wonderful Date Nut Cookies from Two True Foodies

Lucky me!!  Thanks to all the bloggers who shared with me!  I so enjoyed every bite!

I mailed out oatmeal cookies with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.  I think cranberries are great at Christmas time and white chocolate chips pair perfectly with them.  I received these before and couldn't wait to mail them out myself.  Unfortunately there weren't any left for me to eat...better get back in the kitchen!

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies with white chocolate chips

adapted from Southern Living

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sweetened dried cranberries (I used Craisins)

1 and 1/4 cups old fashioned oats

2 cups white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat. 

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.  Set aside. 

Beat butter at medium speed with mixer until creamy.  Add sugars, beating well. Add egg and vanilla, beating until blended.  Gradually add flour mixture and beat until blended, scraping bowl as needed.  Stir in cranberries and white chocolate chips.

Drop dough by heaping spoonful onto cookie sheet.  Bake for 9-11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned.  Cool on sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. 

These cookies will definitely be added to my holiday baking rotation.  I had so much fun participating in the cookie swap this year, can't wait for the next one!  Thanks again to the lovely ladies who baked for me!  3 dozen cookies! So glad it's stretchy pants season!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

So sorry about my long absence here on the blog!  We just moved into our new home and only got our Internet set up last week!  A week without Internet is just the worst! Thank goodness I have my trusty Iphone!  We've had a lot going on, and I'll fill you in on the new place, but here's a quick recipe.  This is the first thing I baked in my new kitchen!  I probably should have made something super impressive and delicious.  Honestly though, this was pretty delicious.  P and I enjoyed it for breakfast for a couple days.

I love quick and easy breakfasts and these bars fit the bill. Very few ingredients and only 1/4 cup brown sugar!  Perfect to share with the little ones.  I, of course, like to spread mine with a little extra peanut butter.  These were simple enough that I could do most of the work while the baby ran around the house.  A little yogurt on the side and we were satisfied till lunch!  Great to eat on the go for those who are too busy to sit down to breakfast.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

1 and 1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1/4 packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 large ripe banana, mashed

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350.  Prepare 8x8 square baking pan with cooking spray or parchment paper.

Mix together oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.  Add in the vanilla, milk, and egg. Stir together.  Finally add banana and peanut butter.  Stir until ingredients are fully combined.  Pour into baking pan and spread evenly.   Bake for 20 minutes.  Cut into squares and enjoy!  Store in airtight container for up to three days.

Baby approved!  Looking forward to sharing more treats with her, and you, from our new home and kitchen!