Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies with M & M's

Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough (in roll or bucket)

M & M's

Using a small scoop, place dough balls on lined cookie sheet. You can add M& M's now, or wait til after they are done baking. Bake as directed on cookie package. If you put m&m's on before baking, you'll only be able to fit 2 in the dough. If you add them after baking, you'll be able to get more m&m's in but you'll have to work quickly before the cookies set up.

Adding the m&m's after the cookies have baked, makes a chewier cookie.

picture of cookies after baking:

Pistachio Bread without Sour Cream

15.25 oz. yellow cake mix*

1 c. hot water

4 eggs, at room temperature

2-4 drops green food coloring

3 (3.4 oz. each) boxes instant pistachio pudding

1/2 c. oil

red and green sprinkles, optional

1/4 c. chopped pistachios, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Spray loaf pans, if using. I like using silicone pans for easier cleanup. Do not spray the silicone pans, nothing is needed, but you can use butter or oil on them if you'd like. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix*, pudding mix,  hot water, oil, eggs, and food coloring. Whisk until fully combined. Add pistachios if using, whisk additional 1-2 minutes. Transfer batter to prepared pans  and top with sprinkles. For the mini bundt pans you'll need to the place the sprinkles in before the batter. If using the silicone pans, place on cookie sheet for stability. Bake 40-45** minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before removing from pans.

*Cake mixes used to come in 18 oz, then they started packaging them in 15.25 oz. boxes, and now some are packaged as 13.25 oz. You will need to make adjustments by adding 1/3 c. more cake mix to make up the difference. (for a 15.25 oz. mix. If you're wanting to make an 18 oz. cake mix, you'll need to add 1 c. cake mix to a 13.25 oz. package, and 2/3 c. cake mix to a 15.25 oz. package.

**I baked in mini loaf pans for 45 minutes; I baked in micro mini loaf pans for 30 minutes.

first pic: batter in silicone pans; 2nd pic: baked wreaths; 3rd pic: baked loaves; 4th pic: goodie tray reading for gifting!

These are so festive looking for Christmas!

Goodie tray (2024) eggnog bread, chocolate covered cherry (with cream center), cups of cocoa treats, mini cranberry orange muffins, crockpot almond bark, chocolate covered toffee balls, and pistachio bread.

Laura's Easy Crockpot Cocoa

1.5 qt. Breyers chocolate ice cream

1/2 gallon whole milk

1/2 bag (about 6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips (can use other flavors and sizes too)

4 pkts Swiss Miss milk chocolate cocoa mix

7 full size candy canes

10 oz. bag miniature marshmallows

whipped cream

Kraft marshmallow bits

Place entire carton of ice cream in crockpot. Pour milk over top. Add chocolate chips.  Add candy canes. Pour marshmallows over top. Place lid on crockpot. Cook on high for 40 minutes. Stir. Dip out cupfuls and top each with whipped cream and Kraft marshmallow bits if desired.

Easy English Toffee

1 c. butter

1 c. sugar

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 bag melted chocolate chips or melting chocolate (almond bark)

No candy thermometer necessary!

Line 9x13 pan with parchment paper, allowing some to hang over each side. Cook everything except chocolate on medium high for 5 minutes or until the mixture is the color of a brown paper bag (5-5.5 minutes always works for me).

Pour in 9x13 lined pan. Spread melted milk chocolate chips onto the toffee. Top with Heath bits or toffee finishing sugar.

Churro toffee variation: leave the nuts out. Spread toffee with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar before the chocolate sets up.

Take 5 variation: pour toffee mixture over pretzels and peanuts. Spread melted milk chocolate chips over toffee. Drizzle melted peanut butter chips over toffee.

 

Crockpot Tortellini and Chicken Soup with Broccoli

1 onion, diced, I used frozen

3 medium carrots, sliced, I used 2 cans drained sliced carrots

1 can D.M. diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano

1 lb. chicken breast or thighs, cut in chunks

1 t. minced garlic

3/4 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Italian seasoning

6 c. chicken broth

9-15 oz. pkg cheese or mushroom tortellini/ravioli

steamfresh broccoli, cooked

Place all ingredients except tortellini, canned carrots, and broccoli in lined crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. I usually cook it on low. Add the cooked broccoli, carrots, and tortellini/ravioli. Cook 20 minutes more, until flavors are well blended and tortellini is heated through. Serve garnished with parsley if desired.

This is so good on a cold night served with a Caesar salad or a grilled cheese sandwich, or served alone with crackers.