Nutella Cookies

I know I have shared a recipe for Nutella Cookies before on the blog.  Recently, while perusing the Internet, I found this recipe (by accident) and thought I would give it a try.  Who doesn't love Nutella?

By the way, check out that link for Sisters with Aprons for some nice pictures for this recipe.

The dough in this recipe was a little sticky.  I baked some on parchment paper and the rest using my new silicone baking mat (my Christmas present).  < First time breaking it out of the package.  I'm hooked.

By the way,  you can substitute for the butter to make it vegan.  Try Coconut Oil or Avocado (remember my Chocolate Avocado Cookies?).

Nutella Cookies

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar *
1/2 cup dark brown sugar *
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon hazelnut extract (I used vanilla)
1/3 cup Nutella
1/3 cup milk

Mix flour and cocoa in small bowl and set said.

In larger bowl, mix butter and sugars until smooth.

Add the extracts and beat again.  Then add the Nutella.

Add half of the flour mixture.  Add the milk and mix.  Add the rest of the flour mix.

Preheat oven to 325 Degrees.

Roll dough into balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.

Use a glass to flatten each cookie slightly.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until slightly crackly on top.  Cool on wire rack.

*I used 1/4 cup sugar

Try them and let me know how you like them.

Enjoy!

Random Acts of Kindness Day

I think I missed the day on this one.  I had it in my head as today.  Personally, I think every day we should do random acts of kindness.  Spread the love and kindness everywhere we go.

What can you do today?

How about smiling at everyone you meet?

Send someone a nice text to brighten their day.

Compliment people.

Hold the door open for the next person.

Brush the snow off some one's car (if you live in an area where you have snow).

Bake some cookies and give to neighbors.

Offer to walk an elderly neighbors dog.

Volunteer at your local school or library.  Maybe offer to watch a neighbor's children while they run errands.

Let someone go ahead of you in line at the store.

Help someone (change a tire, carry their bags to their car, find something in a store, etc.).

There are so many things you can do that will bring a smile to someone.

What will you do?

Girl Scout Brownie Philanthropist Badge

Our Girl Scout Troop just earned their Philanthropist Badge.

The Steps to earn the badge are as follows:

1.  Learn what every person needs.
2.  Investigate how to help people who are hungry.
3.  Find out how to help people who need clothing
4.  Know how to help in times of emergency
5.  Think - and act! - like a philanthropist

Here are some ideas to help you (and your Troop) earn their Philanthropist Badge.

1.  Learn what every person needs.

We asked our girls to write down EVERYTHING they used for three days (before our meeting).  We then created a list with two headings:  "Wants" and "Needs."   The girls then had to classify each item that they used as either a want or need.

As an extra activity, we gave the girls a piece of paper: one side had "Wants" written on it, the other side had "Needs" written on it.  We cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers.  The girls were given some clippings and they had to decide if they were a want or a need.  They had to glue the items onto the correct side of their paper.  This is a great opener for a meeting (something they can do when they get there while you are waiting for the rest of the troop).

2.  Investigate how to help people who are hungry.

We took a field trip to the local food pantry.  Prior to our visit, we asked if there were any items they needed.  We asked the girls to bring in the "needed" items.  The food pantry we visited is run by a couple who had to use a food pantry during their married life.  They wanted to give back and decided that when they were able to, they would give back and create a place to help people who need food.  Their story helped the girls understand that there are people out there without food and that they can help.  The girls helped by packaging a breakfast, a dinner and a snack.  When we were finished, the girls were told that they should be proud.  They packaged enough breakfast packages to give 160 children a good breakfast.

3.  Find out how to help people who need clothing

We contacted our local shelters and asked if we could help out with any clothing needs.  Our shelter was in need of children's pajamas and blankets.  We sent a letter out to school families letting them know that we are working on our Philanthropist badge and that we were looking to help the local shelter.  We asked for donations of (new) children's pajamas and blankets.

4.  Know how to help in times of emergency

For this section, we did a couple of things.  We asked a firefighter to talk to the girls about what they can do to help those in need.  We also did a field trip to "Feed My Starving Children."  < A movie was shown letting the girls know who would get the food that they packaged.  Our girls packaged food that went to children in the Philippines.

5.  Think and act like a Philanthropist

Our girls are using some of their cookie money to donate to an animal shelter.  They are also donating  items for children who have cancer.

Chocolate Avocado Cookies

Yes, that's right.  Chocolate Avocado Cookies.  I know it doesn't sound good, but trust me....they are delicious!

What made me put avocados in my cookies?  Well, I had 4 ripe avocados and wanted to do something with them quickly.  Yea, I could make guacamole, but, I wanted something different.

Enter Chocolate Avocado Cookies.

I found the recipe on Yummy Healthy Easy.  Check it out for great pictures and more recipes.

Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Avocado Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. Truvia (or ¾ cup granulated sugar)
• ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
• ½ cup avocado, mashed or pureed in the food processor
• 3 egg whites
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips

1. In a medium bowl, combine the flours, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a standing mixer bowl, blend the brown sugar and Truvia. Slowly beat in the coconut oil. Add in the mashed or blended avocado, egg whites, and vanilla. Blend on low speed until smooth.
3. Add the flour mixture and chocolate chips and blend on low speed until the dough is just combined. Dough will be crumbly. Refrigerate for about 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 300º F. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Roll the dough into small balls and place on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly and bake for 17-19 minutes (do not over bake!) Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool. Enjoy!

*I did lower the amount of sugar (1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/3 granulated sugar).

Let me know if you try them!  I would love to hear your opinion!

Enjoy!

Super Bowl Snack Ideas

It's that time of year!  The Super Bowl!  Great time for lots of snacks and desserts!

Need some ideas for today?  Check out these recipes:

Guacomole
Hummus
Meatballs
Vegetarian Chili

Sweet idea's:

Bacon Brownies
Nutella Cookies 
Butterscotch Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Raisin Bran Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Trail Mix
Vanilla Pudding Cookies 
Yummy Cupcakes