Category: Food

Oreos – Homemade

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Cookie Recipe

Filling Recipe
1 stick (8Tbs) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 + 1/8 tsp vanilla extract

Combine with beater.

 

There is a definite Wow! factor when making your own Oreos.  It’s a great way to impress people at parties, and it can be a unique food gift.  But, these are also something you’re going to want to have extras of to enjoy for yourself.

Store-bought Oreos contain high fructose corn syrup and GMO canola oil, among other unhealthy and unnatural ingredients.  Besides that, there’s the plastic packaging that comes along with store-bought products.  So, I started making my own several years ago, and I’ve never looked back.  As usual, the homemade version is FAR superior in taste and quality.  You’ve got control over the ingredients, if you’d like to go organic, etc.  And they are more of a special treat, so there’s less likelihood of binge eating.

I’m gonna be totally upfront here and say that these do take some effort.  Not the dough or filling, but cutting out the cookies and assembling them.  And the buttery dishes…  But, if you’ve got a good podcast going or a good friend with you, and you know what you’re getting into, it’s really not that bad.  And the results are truly worth it.

I forget the reason, but, years ago, I used a different recipe for the middle of the cookies.  I’ve modified it since then, and I can’t seem to find the original source.  The filling recipe on the cookie link above looks similar enough though.  I used to buy non-hydogenated vegetable shortening just for these, but I found it went to waste, since I don’t make these that often.  I think using all butter works just fine.

A couple more tips:

-I don’t think the link above suggests this, but after flattening each cookie, I use a small circle cookie cutter.  I like to do mini cookies and regular-sized ones.  Just make sure you have an even amount of each.  Or not…  They’re super yummy to eat on their own.

-I don’t pipe the frosting.  I just smear it on with a knife and squish between two cookies.

-These freeze really well, so as much of a pain as it might be to make more of the cookies, I find it’s worth doubling the recipe sometimes and freezing them.

These make a unique food gift, and they’re great for a sweet tooth craving.  Hope you enjoy!

Cinnamon Rolls – fast

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45-minute cinnamon rolls

I first made these the week before my first-born decided she was ready to see the world.  I made them with the intention of freezing them and having them on hand for after the baby was born.  And it was one of the best presents I gave myself.  Well, food is at its best in the first weeks postpartum, anyway, but I have made these since and they’ve held up to my memory of them.

I like to make these for Christmas morning, along with a quiche, as a special treat.  I make the rolls the night before and refrigerate them for the next morning.  The biggest tip I’ll share is that if these don’t all get eaten fresh, then I highly recommend freezing them.  I accidentally put the leftovers in the fridge this year, and they just didn’t do well.

This is obviously a short-cut recipe, so I’m sure there are better ones out there that I should really try someday.  But, so far, this has been a winner for us!

Chocolate Ricotta Mousse

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One version of the recipe

The one I’ve usually used
(from the same recipe creator, but not on her site–just in her awesome book)

This is the one of THE easiest and yummiest desserts!  Super decadent and almost no effort, if you’re using store-bought ricotta.  I’ve never made it to the point of refrigerating it before consuming, but if you have the patience, that’s awesome.  I think the recipe says you can top with whipped cream.  I don’t really find this necessary, but in the past, I’ve separated out some of the whipped ricotta before adding anything and used that as a whipped topping.

Cheesy Broccoli Potato Soup

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Cheesy Broccoli Potato Soup recipe

This is one of the easiest soups ever, and it’s so yummy!  The “shortcuts” I take are using frozen broccoli, having frozen grated cheese on hand, and using a jar or cubes of non-MSG bouillon, instead of stock.  Using an immersion blender also cuts down on the dishes and hassle.  I like to double this, since it’s so simple, and freeze the leftovers.

(I made this with purple potatoes once, which made it a dark, delicious green!  Would be perfect  to add to a St. Patrick’s Day feast.)

Hot Cocoa

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There’s something about a rainy winter day that just begs for a cup of hot chocolate. I grew up with the store-bought hot chocolate packets, but in my quest of going homemade many years ago, I started making our hot cocoa mix and have never looked back.

Why homemade?

Hot cocoa mix is ridiculously simple to make. It’s also cheaper, healthier (I don’t even recognize some of the ingredients on store-bought packets), and way less wasteful in terms of packaging. I also love that once I make a batch of this, I put it in a large Mason jar and it lasts for such a long time; it’s rare that I suddenly run out. (And, an added bonus, I don’t have to support companies like Nestle.)

How?

There are a ton of recipes online. Some use powdered milk in them, so you can just add water. This mix might be really good if you’re on the move or on a camping trip. At home, I tend to like the recipes with just cocoa, sugar, and salt that can be mixed with cow milk or alternative milk. Someday, I’d love to do a taste test comparison, but so far I just stick with the first one I tried, which I found in Jennifer Reese’s book Make the Bread, Buy the Butter. I make a big batch and store it in a Mason jar with the “recipe” written on a label on top. Her recipe also suggests adding vanilla extract after everything has been mixed.

Gift Ideas

Homemade cocoa mix is a very simple gift, but also a very welcome one. Small Mason jars of cocoa mix would be great for neighbors or co-workers or even party favors. A larger jar could stand on its own as a gift, especially when decorated with ribbon or a nice label. Cocoa jars could be a fun addition to a homemade food basket. And, you could even make your own Hot Cocoa Basket and include jars of crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks or spice, measuring spoons, mugs, or anything else that might be a tasty complement to the cocoa. 

Hope you enjoy!