So the Baking Begins

Friday night I was surrounded by some lovely ladies whom I call friends, sharing drinks and COOKIES!! I couldn't wait. This is the first time I have participated in a cookie swap. I choose my mom's no bake Haystacks and Anise Seed Cookies (they are Italian cookies that Sue Micchici would bring Grandpa).

The haystacks have got to be my favorite cookie. They literally take 10 minutes to make and you just need to let them stand 2-4 hours to set up. They are made with cocoa powder and oats. Healthy right?

Cocoa Haystacks

2 c Sugar

1/2 c milk

1/2 c butter

1/2 c cocoa

1 pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

3c rolled oats (or 4 c if you don't want the coconut)

1 c coconut flakes

~combined first 5 ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan

~ heat till a rolling boil (stirring frequently)

~ once a rolling boil has been reached cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly

~ remove from heat and add vanilla, oats, and coconut

~ drop spoonfuls onto wax paper

~ let stand for 2-4 hours

makes about 36 cookies

So the Anise Seed Cookies were not a good go. I am not sure who these people were that submitted the recipes online but I lost half of my batter because they had the baking times off. Yes I say they because they are the ones that submitted it and they should know the times correctly. While I understand every one's oven is different, the time I was given caused them to burn, that is not even close to a cooking time in my opinion. So I had to reduce it and keep trying till I got it right.

Anise Seed Cookies

4 eggs;separated

1 3/4 c Powdered Sugar;sifted

1 pinch of Salt

2 c Flour; all purpose

1/4 tsp Baking Powder

2 tsp Anise Seed; ground

Grease and flour baking sheets Beat egg yolks,l powdered sugar, and salt in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Beat egg whites until very stiff;fold into egg yolk mixture. Sift flour, baking powder, and anise into egg mixture;fold in quickly but thoroughly.

Fill pastry bag fitted with a plain nozzle with cookie mixture. Pipe in small rounds onto prepared baking sheets. Let stand over night to dry out (about 18 hours is best).

Preheat oven to 325 and bake for 20 minutes (I found I needed to bake them for about 12-15 depending on thickness to get a chewy center).

Because I felt bad since I lost the majority of my Anise Seed Cookies I made these beauties that I got from this blog called The Idea Room. I have to say they are as yummy as they are easy to make, they are Candy Cane Kissed Brownies. I have everything (with the exception of the chocolate chips) used to make them in the background of the picture. I also made a batch for Dave to take to work cause I am a good wife like that.