Christmas Baking

We don't bake a lot but I figured that because it's nearly Christmas, it was time. We haven't had a spare morning to do anything lately so today was the day. Marin and I picked out two recipes: Cookies and Reindeer Chow. They are pretty easy recipes and don't have a million ingredients. They are also delicious. 

Marin takes any opportunity she can get to wear an apron. 

Marin's favorite part is sneaking M&M's when she thinks I'm not looking. 

Now we just need to share all of these goodies with other people so we don't eat them all ourselves. 

Currently Clicking: Week #23

Each and every week, I gather links of all of the places I have been perusing in the great, grand internet. There are plenty of people out there doing big things and small things. Some of these are practical, some are inspiring. This week we are reaching deep into how to live an exceptional life and have gratitude. There's a new coffee house in town that I didn't know about. I am thinking about baby proofing and trying to find ways to make it look better. Then, of course, I've thrown in a cookie recipe, because why not? 

1. I think this is a reminder that all of us need sometimes, especially when life isn't full of adventure but is full of routine and putting down roots somewhere. How to live an exceptional life, even when life doesn't feel exceptional. 
2. On the same track, wasting time is not something I am fond of. I have had many an afternoon wasting away in front of the television,  binge watching Netflix. Don't Waste A Moment. 
3. First of all, I love coffee. Second of all, I had no idea this coffee house even existed in my own backyard. I think what they are doing is neat. Colorado Coffee Shop Employing Homeless People Is 'Opening Up the Eyes' of Its Community.  I will need to go check it out sometime. 
4. Before we know it, our little gal will be mobile. I think baby gates are necessary but not very cool looking, decor wise. Here is a DIY red door, baby gate. I think it's great! 
5. These chocolate dipped, peanut butter cookies look great! 
6. A shift in perspective is always good. We can get caught in stuff that really just doesn't matter. Give Me Gratitude or Give Me Debt. 

Oatmeal Raisin Bites

The man and I have been on Weight Watchers for a while and we really love it, as far as diets go. I guess I should really call it a lifestyle because I hardly ever feel deprived and that's why I've returned to the plan time and time again. One thing is for sure though, I still love me some baking. It's therapeutic for me to put some headphones and tunes on, get myself covered in flour and brown sugar, and bake something yummy. Some recipes suck in this regard because they aren't good for you, but some, like the ones from WW's are a godsend. I still get my cookie/bread/cake fix and know that I won't totally blog my diet. Win, win. 

The recipe that I recently tried was for Oatmeal Raisin Bites. I only altered the recipe a tad. I added one more egg (which might take this up to 3 points per cookie, instead of two), because the dough was really dry. 

The hubby, roommates, and any other person that walked into our home greatly approved. I will remember this recipe. 

You will need: 

1 1/2 cups uncooked rolled oats

3/4 cups whole-grain wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp table salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cups regular butter, softened

1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1tsp vanilla extract

1 cup raising, chopped 

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Preheat oven to 350ºF

In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; set aside. 

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars until incorporated. Add egg and vanilla; mix thoroughly.

 Add egg and vanilla; mix thoroughly. Add oat mixture and mix until just combined; fold in raisins.

The hubby helped. 

Drop rounded teaspoons of batter onto 2 ungreased cookie sheets, about 1-inch apart each. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies or 11 to 12 minutes for crispy cookies. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on cookie sheets for about 2 minutes; remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

Side note: I left these in the oven a tad longer because of the addition of the 2nd egg. They took a little longer to bake completely. 

I'm sad they all have already been eaten.