NORTHFIELD, MN December 13, 2011 — Procrastinators need recipes they can rely on for last minute cookies. With little time to spare, you can make these homemade treats. No one needs to know that an energetic push produced these delectable Christmas cookies.
A recent Saturday found me procrastinating about baking cookies. After all, I had plenty of time to make treats for my daughter’s youth group. Then, SURPRISE, my husband called to say he was in the rush line and had gotten us tickets to a concert that started in less than an hour. What’s a procrastinator to do? Find a quick and easy recipe.
With just 20 minutes to spare, these No Bake Chocolate Cookies were a perfect pick. For a cheery look, I topped off each cookie with three green and red M & M’s. The youth had their treats in time, and I got to the concert with minutes to spare.
No Bake Chocolate Cookies
(Makes about 2 dozen cookies)
2 cups white sugar
6 tablespoons dry cocoa (mix with sugar to dissolve any lumps)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
1 cup coconut (optional)
Green and red chocolate M & M’s
Cookies with M&Ms
Mix the first four ingredients together in a saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat for 3 minutes while stirring continuously. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over oatmeal and coconut (mixed together ahead of time) and stir quickly as it harden. Drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Press colored M & M’s immediately into cookies to decorate for the season. Cool and remove to store in an airtight container.
Hungry little boys coming in from playing outside want cookies NOW. My two nephew’s, age seven and nine, like “Hockey Pucks.” The name comes from how the cookie looks – just like a real puck! These cookies are great for a team to work on together too. One can make the cookie sandwiches while the other dips them in chocolate.
Hockey Pucks
2 sleeves of round crackers (like Ritz)
8 ounce peanut butter (creamy spreads more easily)
1 package chocolate almond bark or melted chocolate chips (12 ounces)
Spread peanut butter between two crackers to create sandwiches. Melt almond bark over low heat until melted. Drop sandwiches gently into chocolate and swirl until covered. Place hockey pucks onto wax paper. Let cool before removing from wax paper. Store in an airtight container and enjoy.
Even if it is Christmas Eve afternoon and gifts await wrapping, you won’t go wrong making these Christmas cookies. See, procrastinators can enjoy homemade treats too. All it takes is simple recipes you can rely on.
For more Christmas cookie recipes visit Claire Hickey’s column Feed The Mind, Nourish The Soul.
Note: Making Change will return to its regular content after the holiday season.
Related Articles
Blue ribbon Christmas cookies and snack recipes
Simple and satisfying Christmas cookie recipes
Red and green Christmas salad recipes
Please credit “Donna Rae Scheffert for Communities @WashingtonTimes.com” when linking to this story
Read more from Donna Rae Scheffert at Washington Times Communities and Online Leadership Tools.
Donna Rae is an award winning writer, consultant, planner, facilitator, and coach. She holds the coveted ‘Futures’ award was named an Outstanding Faculty member at the University of Minnesota. She has co-authored five books and numerous articles.
Connect with Donna at LinkedIn Follow Donna at Twitter
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
