Calling all Bakers

[melisa]

I'm not a baker!!!! I need to bring 9 doz. cookies/brownies/bars to a family reunion the first week of August. There will be plenty of kids as well as adults, any suggestions?

Melissa

[Natasha]

Lucky you!! I would love the opportunity to bake on such a large scale. Doesn't come up too often, unfortunately. This is such a huge category that I'll ask you a few questions to get a better idea of what you'd like. Light, not light, or both? Any particular flavors or recipes you're interested in having/making? Chocolate, non-chocolate, or both? I WILL BE BACK - bearing my tried-and-true (recipes, that is) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif - just for you!



[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 07-24-2000).]

[Denise]

June had a whole article on brownies. I made the raspberry cheesecake, coconut butterscotch, caramel, and mint ones. They were all easy and got rave reviews at work. Both the butterscotch bars and the chewy granola bars from Jan 00 are delicious and the cinnamon apple snack cake (recipe posted under coffeecake theme) is out of this world!

[MrsReber]

I have made the easy lemon squares in the past. They are out of CL, I think maybe from last year? Grace had mentioned them in another post about old recipes. They were very easy and very light- tasty. I have been meaning to make them again. Sorry I don't know the exact issue.

[lorilei]

(MrsReber, we must be thinking alike)

Lemon bars always seem to be a hit. They are my personal favorite, and I know CL has had a recipe or two for them over the years.

I make a very easy non-lite recipe that I call "CHOCOLATE REVEL BARS". They are always a hit with chocoholics -- and my husband goes nuts for them. They go by many names, but are basically cookie bars with an oatmeal base and a chocolatey fudgey topping.

Or -- are you up for something a bit more exotic? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 07-24-2000).]

[LSB]

Lemon bars are in CL April 99.

[melisa]

Keep them coming ladies! I have to consider cost, time involvment and ease of making, again I'm not a baker http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

In thinking of the adult family members:
I think a few bars would work great. The lemon and granola sound great, I have both issues.

For the kids, cookies are a must, fat/healthy does not matter! But Kid Friendly is key! The chocolate oatmeal sound great!

My husband mentioned a chocolate cookie that is dusted with powdered sugar...ring a bell?

Cookieless is Seattle,
Melissa

[lorilei]

Recipe coming up... it's /not/ light, but it's always a hit!

By the way, I use fat-free sweetened condensed milk when I can. I also use regular oatmeal (not quick-cooking oats). I also frequently leave out the nuts.

Chocolate Revel Bars

1 cup margarine or butter
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate pieces
1 14-ounce can (1 ¼ cups) sweetened condensed milk
2 Tbsp. margarine or butter
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 tsp. vanilla

In a very large mixing bowl beat 1 cup margarine or butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or until softened. Add about half of the flour. Then add brown sugar, eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla, and baking soda. Beat until thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Then beat or stir in the remaining flour. Stir in the oats. Set oat mixture aside.

For filling, in a medium saucepan heat chocolate pieces, sweetened condensed milk, and the 2 Tbsp. margarine or butter over low heat until chocolate is just melted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in walnuts and 2 tsp. vanilla.

For crust, press two-thirds (about 3 ¹/3 cups) of the oat mixture into an ungreased 9x13 baking pan. Then spread the chocolate mixture on top of the crust. Drop the remaining oat mixture from a rounded teaspoon on top of chocolate layer.

Bake in a 350 degree oven about 25 minutes or until top is light golden (chocolate layer will look slightly moist). Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Makes 30ish bars


[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 07-24-2000).]

[Natasha]

Originally posted by melisa:
Keep them coming ladies! I have to consider cost, time involvment and ease of making, again I'm not a baker http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

In thinking of the adult family members:
I think a few bars would work great. The lemon and granola sound great, I have both issues.

For the kids, cookies are a must, fat/healthy does not matter! But Kid Friendly is key! The chocolate oatmeal sound great!

My husband mentioned a chocolate cookie that is dusted with powdered sugar...ring a bell?

Cookieless is Seattle,
Melissa

Based on what you're looking for, I will post a recipe for Chip Crumbles later. It's like a chocolate chip cookie in bar form. Sinful and oh-so-easy. I'll probably also post one or two more (since I love to bake so much, I kinda get carried away sometimes...) Maybe Butterscotch Pecan cookies? Anyway, I'll post the C.C. for sure. They're always a hit.

Speaking of Seattle, don't you want/need any biscotti recipes to accompany the beverages? LOL. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Grace]

Here is a recipe that was posted earlier by Shelly and got GREAT reviews - I haven't tried them, but they might be just the thing for the kids..

Shelly
Junior Member posted 07-11-2000 10:55 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the recipe. However, a word of warning: these are incredibly addictive! (the dough is good too!! hee hee)

* Exported from MasterCook *

Monster Cookies


Serving Size : 54 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cookies

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups chunky peanut butter
6 cups rolled oats
9 ounces M&Ms® plain chocolate candy
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together margarine, sugars, vanilla, and soda until light and fluffy. Add eggs and then peanut butter, mixing well after each addition. Stir in oats and M&Ms and mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with fork. Bake for 8-10 minutes. ( Cookies should look a bit underdone when you take them out.)
Per cookie: 170 cal, 7.6 g fat

This nutrition info is calculated using Shedd's spread sticks. I've had no problem using lower fat margarine in this recipe, but they night be even better with reg. margarine or butter - I haven't tried it. Also, I like to refrigerate my dough for about 30-40 min so the cookies are thicker. They will spread out more if the dough is at room temp; just a personal preference! Enjoy!

[KimberlyE]

Here are my suggestions that I have had success with when baking for a lot of people. There is a recipe on the back of the Toll House Chocolate Chunks for Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars...easy and yummy.

In another post (I'm not sure what thread) someone mentioned Monster Cookies (see above post)...I have been making these for years to take on trips, parties, etc. They are great and it's easy to make a lot of them.

As I was sending my message someone posted the recipe...cool. There are a lot of ingredients so these aren't cheap to make but maybe you could go to Costco to stock up.

[This message has been edited by KimberlyE (edited 07-24-2000).]

[Mamasue]

These are always a big hit with young and old!

* Exported from MasterCook *

WHOOPIE PIES

Recipe By : Sue
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Chocolate Cookies/Bars


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
6 Tbl. Shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. milk
1 egg
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 c. flour
1 ½ tsp. Soda
1 tsp. Salt
5 Tbl. Cocoa

Cream shortening and sugar together; add milk, egg, vanilla and mix. Mix in flour, soda, salt and cocoa. Drop dough by tablespoons on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 400 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool on rack. Make filling and sandwich together.

Filling:
1 c. shortening
6 Tbl. Marshmellow fluff
¾ c. sifted confectioners sugar
1 Tbl. Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla.

Beat all ingredients till smooth and creamy. Spread filling on underside of one cookie and top with another to make a sandwich.



[This message has been edited by Mamasue (edited 07-24-2000).]

[Grace]

Here are chocolate ones with powdered sugar..

CookWare(tm) from Cooking Light(r)

Devil's Food Cookies

SOURCE: Cooking Light YEAR: May/June 1993 PAGE: 159

INGREDIENTS FOR 30 SERVINGS:
1/4 cup margarine, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 egg whites
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Vegetable Cooking Spray
2 tsp. sifted powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cream margarine. Add 2/3 cup sugar and beat at medium speed of an electric
mixer until blended. Add buttermilk, vanilla, and egg whites; beat well.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture, mixing
well.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets coated with
cooking spray. Bake at 350º for 7 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool
completely on wire racks. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Yield: 2-1/2 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories 64 (26% from fat) Fat 1.8g

[Mamasue]

If you want something really, really, easy and chewy and another big hit....then make these. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

* Exported from MasterCook *

Chocolate Crinkles

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cookies/Bars

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 package chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil

Mix well and drop by spoonfuls into powdered sugar to coat. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10
minutes.


Source:
"cyber-kitchen.com"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


NOTES : A great quick, moist cookie made with cake mix. Use any flavor cake mix to create your own cookie.
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0



[This message has been edited by Mamasue (edited 07-24-2000).]

[Shelly]

Hey Grace, you beat me to the punch!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Not only are the Monster Cookies to die for, but the recipe makes between 4 and 5 dozen, depending on how big you make them........
I can see right now that I'm going to have a hard time deciding which of the recipes from this post to try first! Since I'm a die-hard chocolate freak, probably the chocolate revel bars................ http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Grace]

Sorry Shelly! You've got to be quick to beat me on days I'm working from home!! This board sure is addictive! I doubt I'll try the monster cookies even though they sound great! Since I've found this board, I have been so inspired to make so many new dishes and desserts, I put on a few already, and that's even with only eating the CL stuff which is supposed to be light!! Now I just have to learn portion control....if only it all wasn't so darn good!

BTW, I FINALLY got my August issue, YEAH!!!

Grace

[Natasha]

Melissa,
Here is the recipe for Chip Crumbles. Very easy and VERY good. My boyfriend s eyes literally light up when he sees that I ve made these http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Chip Crumbles
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup brown sugar, packed
11 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
[I skip the nuts and just add more of the REALLY good stuff (the choc. chips)]
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Crumble butter, sugar, vanilla and flour together in bowl. Stir in nuts and chips. Pat into ungreased 9x9-in. pan. Bake in 350-degree oven for 25 minutes or until browned. Cut while still warm. Cool in pan. Yield: 36 squares.

And here is another one that the kids might really like, and that I like too!! (Hey Shelly, I posted this one with you in mind too!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Peanut Butter Bars
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup peanut butter (smooth)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Mix all together in bowl and pack into greased 9x9-in. pan. Bake in 350-degree oven for about 30 mins. Cool. Frost. Cut into 36 squares.

Icing
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth)

Melt together in saucepan over low heat. Spread on cooled bars. Cut proportions down if you want just a showing on bars.

Not haute cuisine or light cuisine, but what the hey?

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 07-24-2000).]

[Laura B]

These cookies are FABULOUS!!! My mom makes these every christmas. They are not light at all, but they are very delicious and the recipe makes 5 to 6 dozen depending on how large or small you make them. I have seen kids and adults alike scarf these down like they are going out of style. They are pretty simple to make - the batter is pretty tough so I use a kitchenaid mixer to make it.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Mom's Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 60 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cookies Desserts


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup shortening
2 large eggs
2 cups coconut
2 cups oatmeal
1 bag chocolate chips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine ingredients in order listed.

Shape dough into balls and place on cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes until golden.

Description:
"These are the cookies Mom always makes at Christmas."
Source:
"Mom"
Yield:
"5 dozen"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 107 Calories (kcal); 6g Total Fat; (46% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 6mg Cholesterol; 43mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates

NOTES : Depending on how much batter per ball you use and how tightly you pack it, you can make small crispy cookies or larger soft ones. I prefer the larger soft ones.
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

[Susann]

I can recommend Shelly's monster cookies. Everyone who has tasted them begs for the recipes (even people who NEVER bake!!!). They are sooooo delic.

[melisa]

Ladies, WoW, what a great responce! I have printed all of the ideas and together with my husband (oh, yes...his family reunion...he gets to help!) we will decide which treats to make. It appears that everyone has given a thumbs up for the monster cookies!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for puting my fears to rest!

Melissa

[Katrina]

Melissa--

Here's a tip I discovered years ago that makes cookie making go faster for me. I never have been very adept at the part of cookie recipes that says "drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet". I always ended up feeling uncoordinated and making a mess! Now I use a small or medium ice cream scoop to put cookie dough on the sheets-- the kind with the spring-loaded handle thingy that pops the ice cream out of the scoop for you. I even spray the inside of the scoop with a little Pam before I start to keep any dough from sticking. Your cookies with turn out round and uniform in size and people with think you are a pro! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Katrina (edited 07-25-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Katrina (edited 07-25-2000).]

[lorilei]

And I always do as many baking sheets at a time as I can -- I think I've managed to fit 4 in my oven at one time on occasion http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Makes things go a bit faster.

[bookworm]

Here's a couple more ideas:

Snickerdoodle Cookies

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Topping
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars with an electric mixer on high speed. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
2. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar.
3. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix well.
4. Preheat oven to 300 degrees while you let the dough rest for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator.
5. In a small bowl combine the sugar with the cinnamon for the topping.
6. Take about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the dough and roll it into a ball. Roll this dough in the cinnamon/sugar mixture and press it onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat for the remaining cookies.
7. Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes and no more. The cookies may seem undercooked, but will continue to develop after they are removed from the oven. When the cookies have cooled they should be soft and chewy in the middle. (http://www.topsecretrecipes.com)
Makes 16-18 cookies.

Ginger Snaps

1 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup shortening
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream together the sugars, molasses, shortening, butter, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
3. In another large bowl combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
4. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and beat while adding the water. Continue to mix until ingredients are incorporated.
5. Measure a heaping teaspoon of dough at time. Roll the dough into a sphere between the palms of your hands then press the dough onto the cookie. Flatten to about 1/8-inch thick.
6. Bake cookies for 10-14 minutes or until edges begin to brown and cookies are crispy when cool. (http://www.topsecretrecipes.com)
Makes 120 (10 dozen) cookies.

[melisa]

Katrina: When I started reading your tip on how to make this process go by faster, I thought you were going to say "crack open a bottle of wine!" Thank you and Lorilei for the tips, I will try these and also a bottle of wine!

Melissa

[Shelly]

Grace, I'm with ya on the portion control thing. I could eat a dozen cookies' worth of the monster cookie dough in a hot minute!! Thanks Natasha for the PB bar recipe AND the chip crumbles too - I can't wait to try these. Only problem is, I have too many desserts to try in proportion to other stuff! My sweet tooth has been ruling my life lately http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif ! Snickerdoodles are really good too - haven't made those in years!
The ice cream scoop trick works very well - I use one too. And lorelei - just how big IS your oven? I would love to be able to fit 4 cookie sheets in at once! I wouldn't have as much time to eat the dough if I could get it baked faster http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif. Wow, what a thread! Did somebody mention slobber/drool in a previous thread?.....................

[Beth]

Brownies are a no-fail. A couple of things I've made that are a little different are no-bake caramel peanut bars that are made with rice cereal and topped with a chocolate butterscotch topping. Very simple and you can cut the 13x9 pan into lots of small bars since they are so rich.

Another easy one that kids and adults like is chocolate mint refrigerator cookies. The dough starts with a devils food cake mix, add chocolate chips, eggs, peppermint, roll, chill and slice. I'd post them now, but I'll have to find them.

[Beth]

Everyone may have exhausted this thread by now, but here are 2 more ideas for kids or a crowd:

Caramel Morsel Bars

14 oz. caramels
3 T water
5-6 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup low salt roasted peanuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips

In large pan (4 qt), melt caramel with water over low heat. Stir in cereal and peanuts and mix well. Press into a greased 13x9 inch pan. Sprinkle chips over top and place in warm (200 deg) oven 5-10 minutes to soften. Remove and spread mealted chips to form a frosting. Cool completely (not easy), and cut into bars.


Chocolate Mint Refrigerator Cookies

1 20 oz box devil's food cake mix
1 egg
3 T water
1 6 oz pkg semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp peppermint extract

Mix all ingredients together well. Form dough (a bit sticky) into 2 rolls on waxed paper. Roll and chill several hours. Slice chilled dough about 1/4" thick and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees about 12 min. Recipe says 6 doz.

[Melman]

Hi! I LOVE this Bulletin Board!!! I've been reading for several weeks now and can't stay away from it!!

I should have guessed that my first entry would be one of my favorite subjects! Cookies! I love making them...though my main cookie baking takes place at the holidays.

I found the *SECRET* to baking cookies a real ease. PARCHMENT PAPER!! I know my mom didn't tell me about it...I had to learn from Pampered Chef. It's terrific...I've never had soft cookies stick to it...never had crunchy cookies stick/burn to it. Talk about an easy cleanup!!! I use 2 or 3 sheets for an entire batch of cookies...one sheet is usually in the oven on a baking stone while the other is on my counter being loaded with cookie dough to put in the oven as soon as one batch is done.

The only problem with parchment paper is that I've had a tough time finding it in any of the stores around here. The last time I needed some, I checked no less than 5 or 6 grocery stores and finally had to settle for a kitchen store. (If you have a tough time finding it, Pampered Chef sells it in their catalogs). Give it a try!!!

[Kelly]

How about Rice Krispie squares - they are always the first to go - both the kids & adults love them. I've also mixed in mini m&m's to give them some color.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Kelly:
How about Rice Krispie squares - they are always the first to go - both the kids & adults love them. I've also mixed in mini m&m's to give them some color.\

Okay, here's a stupid question, but I tried to mix them with mini chocolate chips once but they melted and I ended up with chocolate rice krispie treats. Not bad, but not what I was going for! How do you keep the chocolate from melting???

[lorilei]

Originally posted by lindrusso:
[QUOTE]Okay, here's a stupid question, but I tried to mix them with mini chocolate chips once but they melted and I ended up with chocolate rice krispie treats. Not bad, but not what I was going for! How do you keep the chocolate from melting???

I think M&Ms have a tendency to be easier to use, since the candy shell keeps them from melting into the treats -- You might get a few melty rainbow stripes, but no chocolate krispies http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[MrsReber]

lindrusso- I like to melt butterscotch chips with my marshmallows and have even tried peanut butter chips in order to make rice krispie treats. This thread is delicious. I copied most of the recipes on here! My husband is going to be a very happy camper.

[binae]

I loved the Butterscotch Brownies in the[Jan 2000]Could you send me the recipe?I misplaced mine & have torn apart my kithen lookig for it.
QUOTE]Originally posted by Denise:
June had a whole article on brownies. I made the raspberry cheesecake, coconut butterscotch, caramel, and mint ones. They were all easy and got rave reviews at work. Both the butterscotch bars and the chewy granola bars from Jan 00 are delicious and the cinnamon apple snack cake (recipe posted under coffeecake theme) is out of this world![/QUOTE]

[BeckyM]

I missed this post when it first started in July, so I know this recipe won't help for the family reunion in August. But for anyone who is looking for a great EASY recipe for bar cookies, here's one I love. All you do is layer the ingredients in a 9x13 pan and bake, then cut into bars. They are really rich, and people tend to scarf them down quickly (myself included http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif )


SEVEN LAYER BARS

1 stick margarine or butter
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup flaked coconut
1 6oz pkg. (1 cup) chocolate chips
1 6oz pkg. (1 cup) butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk

Melt margarine in 9x13" pan. Spread graham cracker crumbs over bottom of pan. Cover with coconut, then butterscotch chips, nuts, then chocolate chips. Pour Eagle brand milk over all. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.