HOT (Heath Oatmeal Toffee) Cookies

HOT COOKIES
~ Heath Oatmeal Toffee ~

HOT Cookies

Heath Toffee Bits Give These Cookies A Great Texture And Flavor!

These are wonderfully delicious cookies.  I make them for someone that doesn’t like Toffee, but they LOVE these cookies!  The ‘Bits’ blend right in and give them a sticky, soft texture with a sweet, delicious flavor….   If you also have someone that doesn’t like the Coconut, like I do, then splitting the batch in to two halves will allow you to make some of each…  This makes a LOT OF COOKIES…..

Ingredients:

1  Cup              Butter or Margarine, softened  (2 sticks)

2                        Eggs

2  Cups            Light Brown Sugar, packed

2  tsp                Vanilla

1 3/4  Cups     All-Purpose Flour

1  tsp                Baking Soda

1  tsp                Cinnamon, ground

1/2  tsp            Salt

3  Cups            Quick Oats

1 1/3  Cups     Toffee Bits  (8 oz. pkg. Heath Bits ‘O Brickle)

1  Cup               Coconut,  sweetened  (optional)

Preparation:

Heat Oven to 375 Degrees (F)

Lightly grease a cookie sheet  (I use two)

Beat Butter, Eggs, Brown Sugar and Vanilla in a Very Large Bowl until well blended.  Add Flour, Baking Soda, Cinnamon and Salt; beat until blended.

Stir in Oats, Toffee Bits and Coconut with a Large Spoon.

Drop the dough by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart on to a prepared baking sheet.

BAKE  8 to 10  minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Cool 1 minute, remove to wire wrack (important)…   Cool Completely!

Makes 4 – 5 Dozen Cookies.

These cookies go fast, so enjoy one while they’re still around….

Your New Favorite Cookies!!!

Here is a great standard Cookie Recipe from JW8!  I also love to add Dark Chocolate Pieces to these cookies and they turn out fantastic…

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Famous Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

With Neiman’s being based out of Dallas, we have all grown up hearing this story:  Who knows if there is any truth to it or not, but ask anyone and somehow it happened to someone in their very own family!

A lady, while visiting New York, stopped in to Neiman Marcus and visited the Cafe’ where she enjoyed Tea and a Chocolate Chip Cookie.  She enjoyed it so much that she asked for the recipe.  The waiter told her that the cost would be two fifty, and she happily agreed to the price (assuming that it was $2.50).  Later, when she received her charge receipt she realized that Neiman’s charged her $250.00 for the recipe!  She vowed to get even for the rediculous price by giving it away to anyone that wanted it for FREE!!!

The Famous Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

Well, there’s the story, but honestly it is a very BASIC cookie recipe!  Who Knows Where The Truth Lies???   But here it is:

Neiman Marcus' Chocolate Cookies...

Ingredients:

This Recipe makes 112 Cookies, so it is usually halved:

2  Cups          Butter

24  Ounces   Chocolate Chips

4  Cups           Flour

2  Cups           Brown Sugar

2  tsp               Baking Soda

1  tsp               Salt

2  Cups           Sugar

1  (8 Ounce)  Chocolate Bar (Hershey’s), grated

5  Cups           Oatmeal

4                        Eggs

2  tsp                Baking Powder

2  tsp                Vanilla

3  Cups            Chopped Walnuts  (Or Use Texas Pecans Honey)

Let’s Make NM Cookies:

Using a blender or food processor, pulverize the oatmeal in to a very fine powder.  The idea here is not to make Oatmeal Cookies, but rather to hide the texture in a fine Chocolate Chip Cookie!

Using a mixer, cream the butter with both sugars.  Add the Eggs and Vanilla.

Mix the creamed mixture with the Flour, Oatmeal, Salt, Baking Powder and Soda.

Add the Chocolate Chips, grated Chocolate Bar and Nuts.

Roll in to balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 Degrees (F) for 10 minutes.

Enjoy and Share this great recipe!  Have a Wonderful Holiday Season from JW8…

Hot Peppered ‘Killer’ Candied Pecans (Walnuts)

Hot Peppered ‘Killer’ Candied Pecans
or Walnuts…

Get Killer Pecans from http://www.killerpecans.com

My friend and co-bartender, Robert brought me to the Killer Pecan factory in Dallas, Texas and a love was born!  They are truly the Absolute Best!  If you don’t order the originals or just want to make your own, then use this as a base recipe and let’s get started….

Perfectly served with Martinis. . .

Ingredients:

2  Cups          Raw Pecan Halves  (In Texas, you can just pick them up from your neighbor’s yard!)
OR
2  Cups          Raw Walnut Halves

3/4  Cup        Sugar

2  Tbsp          Sugar, additional

2  Tbsp          Butter, unsalted

1  tsp              Kosher Salt

1/2  tsp          Cumin, ground

1  tsp               Black Pepper, freshly ground

1/4  tsp           Cayene Pepper

optional:

1/2  Tbsp       Paprika, smoked

1/4  tsp           White Pepper

1/4  tsp           Accent  (MSG)

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 350 Degrees (F).  Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper.

Place 3/4 Cup of the Sugar in a medium, heavy-bottomed skillet and cook over high heat, stirring until it turns a light caramel color.  Usually 4-5 minutes.

Add the Butter and stir until melted.

Stir in the Nuts and coat evenly with the mixture.  Remove from heat.

Coat Evenly

Transfer the Nuts to the prepared sheet and arrange in a single layer.  Place in the oven and bake, tossing every 5 minutes until the Nuts are toasted.  About 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and pour the Hot Nuts in to a medium sized bowl.  Add the Salt, Cumin, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper (Smoked Paprika, White Pepper and MSG if opted) and the remaining 2 tablespoons of Sugar and Very Quickly toss the Nuts  (like flipping pancakes) again and again to coat them evenly.

Immediately transfer the Nuts to another baking sheet, lined with Parchment Paper, and separate the individual Nuts with a fork.

Parchment Paper is your friend!

Allow to cool completely…..

Serve or package festively for a wonderful gift!

That’s a version of ‘Killer’ Pecans from JW8…..

Hot Peppered Candied Nuts make a wonderful gift!

As you can see, this recipe can be moderated easily to accommodate your individual tastes.  Candied Walnuts are especially delicious when combined with steamed, shredded Brussel Sprouts and Bacon as a side dish (My Favorite and can be cooked in a ZipLock Bag in the Microwave ~ No one will ever know)…

What a wonderful gift or Salad Topper or …. ….. …… …… !  The possibilities are endless.

Enjoy!

Enjoy from JW8!

Jello Party Pops!!!

Jello Pina Colada Gelatin Pops

Do you remember Jello Gelatin Pops that used to be right next to the Pudding Pops!!!  Those were my favorite, but like so many other favorites they went away one day to never return forcing me to find a way to make them at home….   This is Good News, since you can make Any Flavor, Any Shape and even add Alcohol if you prefer for a great Party Treat!!!

Jello Party Pops!!!

While popsicles are so popular during the Summer, don’t count them out for your Holiday Parties…  Especially New Years since you have the freedom to create!  If you have an idea and can’t find it, then you can dream it up out of Jello….

I am posting my favorite recipe for Pina Colada (Non-Alcoholic) Gelatin Pops, which are Divine!  Following is a Base Recipe to turn any Cocktail in to a Jello Shot or Jello Party Pop….

While you can't find these anymore, you can make them at home!

Pina Colada (Non-Alcoholic) Gelatin Pops

Ingredients:

1  Cup              Boiling Water

1  Package     Jello Gelatin, Pina Colada 4 Serving Size

1/3  Cup          Sugar

1 1/3  Cups    Cold Water

6                        Paper or Plastic Cups,  (5 oz.)

6                        Wooden Pop Sticks

Procedure:

STIR  Boiling Water in to combined dry Gelatin Mix and Sugar in a medium bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved.  Stir in Cold Water.

POUR  evenly in to Paper Cups.  Freeze for 2 hours or until almost firm.

INSERT  a Pop Stick in to the center of each cup, use plastic wrap if needed to ensure that sticks are centered and straight!  Freeze an additional 3 hours or overnight until firm.

To release the frozen Pop from it’s cup, place the bottom of the cup under warm running water for 15 seconds, press the bottom of the cup firmly to release the Pop!  (Do Not twist or pull on the stick)

Store leftover Pops in the freezer for up to 2 weeks!

Enjoy this old favorite from JW8!

A Cupcake Pan is a Great Help!

Easy ~ Easy ~ Easy

Options are Limitless......

Turn any Cocktail in to a Jello Shot or Jello Pop!!!

Basic directions and tips to get you going:

You will use:

3 oz Jell-O or other gelatin (any flavor), 6 oz water and 6 oz vodka (or other distilled spirit).

Here’s How:

1. Pour gelatin into a bowl.

2. Add boiling water, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved.

3. Stir in liquor.

4. Refrigerate until cool.

5. Pour into shot glasses, molds, or a baking pan for a sheet of Jell-O to cut up once set.

TIP: The small, plastic shot cups are perfect because the drinker can just squeeze the shot out.

6. Refrigerate until the liquid sets. (At least 2 hours, but overnight refrigeration is recommended)

7. Serve cold.

Use A Popsicle Maker or Mold for shapes...

Place the Shapes in Cones for a Festive Touch...

Here’s How I Do It For Parties:

1. Use unflavored gelatin (usually comes in 1/4 ounce packets).

2. You will want to add a small amount of sugar to reduce the tartness of the finished jelly shot. Simple syrup works best and if you use it, it can take the place of a portion of the water. Most importantly when working with Gelatin is to ensure that all solids are completely dissolved!

3. Add boiling water, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved. Use approximately 1/3 of the total sum of the other liquid ingredients.

4. Mix the cocktail recipe’s liquids using the same ratio as you would for the regular cocktail recipe and add them to the gelatin mixture. You want to plan on having between 7-9 ounces (water included) of liquid for one 1/4 ounce packet of gelatin.

5. Add food coloring. Many of these concoctions will not be very pleasing to the eye. So add small amounts of food coloring, a little at a time, mixing as you go until you have the color you want.

TIP:  Distinguish a variety shots by using different colors for each: Yellow Banana Daiquiri Jelly Shots, Red Planter’s Punch Jelly Shots, etc.

For Jello Shots, go to step 6…   For Party Pops, skip to step 10…

6. Refrigerate until cool.

7. Pour into shot glasses, molds, or a baking pan for a sheet of Jell-O to cut up once set.

8. Refrigerate until the liquid sets. (At least 2 hours, but overnight refrigeration is recommended)

9. Serve cold.

Finished!  Enjoy…

10.  Insert Pop Stick in to the center of each Pop!

11.  Place Pops in the freezer for an additional 3 hours or overnight until completely firm…

12.  Remove by running warm water over the bottom of the Pops to release them and squeeze them out!  Don’t pull or twist the stick or it will come right out!

Finished!  Enjoy…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you can see, making Jello Shots or Party Pops are Super Easy but just require that you plan ahead…  These are always a favorite because, “There’s Always Room For Jello”.

Seven Layer Wonder Bars

Seven Layer Wonder Bars

This old favorite has been around forever and I just don’t understand why they have not been commercially available pre-made as they have done with Rice Crispy Treats and the like.  My partner even made them once with an entire bag of Coconut, rather than one cup, and they still turned out good!

Seven Layer Wonder Bars

Ingredients:

1  Cup      Graham Crackers, crushed

1  Stick    Margarine

1  Cup      Chocolate Chips (I prefer to use Dark or Bittersweet)

1  Cup      Butterscotch Chips

1  Cup      Coconut

1  Cup      Nuts  (In Texas, We Use Chopped Pecans)

1  Can      Condensed Milk

Instructions:

Melt Margarine in the bottom of a 9X13 pan.  Place the remaining ingredients in layers as follows:

Graham Cracker Crumbs, the idea here is to make a bottom crust with the crumbs and melted margarine.

Chocolate Chips.

Coconut.

Butterscotch Chips.

Nuts.

Condensed Milk.  Pour the milk evenly over the top of the layers, this is the binder to hold the cookies in to bars.

Bake at 325 degrees (F) for 20 – 25 minutes.

Cool completely, slice in to bars and enjoy!

Seven Ingredients!

Wonder Bars!

That’s Seven Layer Wonder Bars from JW8, and old recipe that’s always a current success…..

Orange ‘Snow-Balls’

Orange ‘Snow-Balls’ are an age-old, no bake, cookie recipe that tastes amazing!!!  No matter how much work I put in to the Holidays, people always rant and rave over these ‘easy as pie’ delights!  My good friend, God rest his soul, Dale Alexander was just amazed by these (and even asked to bring some home)!  Dale was a world traveler as the Emcee, and Vice President, of Mary Kay Cosmetics. . .  Somehow his palette was dazzled by these simple cookies and I hope that yours will be too!

Orange 'Snow-Balls'

Easy  —  Easy  —  Easy

Ingredients:

1  pound             Vanilla Wafers

1  pound             Powdered Sugar

1  stick                Margarine

1  (6 oz)  Can     Concentrated Orange Juice, thawed

Did I Say Easy?   Here’s How :::::

Crush the Vanilla Wafers until you reach an extremely fine powder.  Mix the crushed wafers with the Powdered Sugar.

Cut in the Margarine like  you would a pie crust.  For Example:  Hold two butter knives together and use them to cut/stir the margarine with the dry mixture until they begin to form a crumbly texture.  Patience is a virtue here!

Add the thawed Orange Juice and mix thoroughly.  Roll in to small balls and then in to the Coconut to completely cover the round cookies.  CHILL!

That’s it.  Keep them stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them, or just keep them cold for a great snack anytime!  You would swear that they are full of Orange Zest (which requires work) but this incredible taste is achieved by using the concentrated orange juice…

Easy To Make!

These look great for the Holidays since they go well with a ‘snowy’ theme…  I have also dipped one side in dark chocolate and they went over huge…

Great for the Holidays!

Keep this recipe handy for a quick batch when you have that unexpected company pop in!  Whether dipped in chocolate or just rolled in coconut, please enjoy these Orange Snowballs from JW8!