Lovely Lemon-cream Icebox Cookie Sandwiches

So as I was searching for a lovely recipe to post about, my mom said to me "Daisy, how come you aren't eating healthy anymore? I mean, it was so good for you!" It was right about then that I found this recipe, and that was all the reasoning I needed. I turned my computer screen towards her and said "Mom, this is the only reason I need to quit eating healthily is this recipe right here. It is the most delicious thing I think I have ever seen in my entire life.! I mean, when you look at these sandwich cookies, couldn't you just die?!" And so that was what started a big long discussion between me and my mom about healthy eating and whether or not I should make, and eat, these sandwich cookies. In the end, we decided to make them because, ya know, who wouldn't? So anyways, I made the cookies and they were so good! so I suggest that you go check out some of their other recipes as well here.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter-flavor shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons finely shredded lettuce peel
Finely crushed lemon drop candies or decorating sugar (optional)

For the Frosting:

5 ounces cream cheese (not low-fat or whipped), at room temperature
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons lightly packed, finely grated lemon zest
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
5 ounces confectioners sugar (1-1/4 cups, spooned and leveled)

Method:

In a large bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
Add sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Beat until combined, scraping sides of the bowl occasionally.
Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.
Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer.
Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour and the lemon peel.
Divide dough in half.
Shape each half into a 10-inch roll.
Wrap each roll in plastic wrap or waxed paper.
Chill for 1 to 3 hours or until dough is firm enough to slice.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut rolls into 1/4-inch slices.
Place slices about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set.
Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute.
Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool.
Spread lemon cream frosting on the bottom sides of half of the cookies, using about 1 tablespoon of frosting per cookie.
Top with remaining cookies, bottom sides down.
I desired, roll edges of sandwich cookies in crushed candy.

These lemon-cream icebox cookie sandwiches have not been rolled in crushed candy
Image curtesy of Honeyville Farms

The Totally Not Boring Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie

So I know when you read the title you totally just wanted to read this recipe about totally not boring oatmeal chocolate chip cookies right, and I'm not sorry to say that I won't let you down.  This cookie is not only delicious, but it is also, wait for it, totally not boring! When you make this totally not boring, and delicious, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, you will feel the flavors explode in your mouth. As Remy tells his brother Emile in Ratatouille,
Remy: I have got to to teach you about food. Close your eyes.
            Now take a bite of . . .  No! No! No!
            Don't just hork it down!
Emile: Too late.
Remy: Here.
            Chew it slowly.
            Only think about the taste.
            See?
Emile: Not Really.
Remy: Creamy, salty sweet, an oaky nuttiness.
            You detect that?
Emile: Oh, I'm detecting nuttiness.
Remy: Close your eyes. Now taste this.
            Whole different thing right?
            Sweet, crisp, slight tang on the finish.
Although Ratatouille is just a cartoon, Remy does make some good points about how you need to enjoy the food as you eat because, too many a time, we have just guzzled down a cookie in less than 30 seconds as Emile does, and never end up actually tasting the flavors. S I hope you enjoy these cookies, and taste every flavor of the oatmeal, and chocolate chips in this cookie.


Ingredients:

2 cups (10 oz) of all-purpose flower]
1 teaspoon of baking soda
3/4 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup (8 oz/2sticks) of unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (7 oz) of granulated sugar
1 cup (7 oz) of packed light brown sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2 3/4 (9 oz) of rolled oats
1 cup (6 oz) of bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks
1 cup (6 oz) of milk chocolate chips or chunks

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Measure the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and whisk it to combine.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on the medium speed for 3-5 minutes, until lighter in color and fluffy. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl several times during the process.

While the mixer is running, crack the eggs into a liquid measuring cup and add the vanilla extract. Reduce the speed to low and then slowly pour in the eggs, letting them fall in one at a time and incorporating the first one entirely before adding the next.Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl once during the process.

Gradually add the dry ingredients (in 2-3 additions) with the mixer on low speed. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl once to fully incorporate the butter and sugar. Combine the oats and chocolate in the same bowl used for the dry ingredients, then add them to the dough with the mixer on low speed, mixing just until everything is well distributed. (Sometimes it is easier to finish mixing with a rubber spatula.)

Scoop the dough into balls the size of ping pong balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared pans (about 6 per pan), then press them into 1/2 inch thick disks.

Bake them for 10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through the baking time. The edges of the cookies should be golden brown, while the centers will appear blonde and slightly underdone.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets.

Image Curtesy of Inspired2cook

I hope you enjoyed making, (and eating) your totally not boring oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! For more expert tips and delicious recipes, check back next week at themoodfoods!