Who doesn't want to visit Paradise?

There are many types of Paradise, but usually when people are talking about paradise they are thinking about sunshine, tropical beaches, ocean views and lots of fresh food and fruits.

Probably why this cookie bar is named Aloha Paradise Bars.   I contains lots of coconut and dried pineapple.  One bite takes you on a mini vacation to paradise. Ha, ha, ha, only if  you like those flavors.   I made this recipe my own by adding some dried cranberries for a touch of holiday color and flavor.   Sweet and tart.  Makes a great addition to any cookie tray.

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Who Remembers Archway Cookies?

Archway cookies used to be sold in many varieties in every store.  Now your lucky if you can find them in the stores around the holiday season. You can however order them online if you so choose. There were so many kinds, Cashew Nougat, Soft Oatmeal, Iced Oatmeal, Oatmeal Creams, Soft Molasses, Windmill, Frosted Lemon, Hermits, Cherry Chip, Raspberry Filled, Coconut Macaroon, and Dutch Cocoa to name a few.

My mom was a terrific baker and cook, but she didn't make many cookies.  She usually made large batches of donuts and cakes.  Probably because they went farther and lasted longer with all of us kids.   She did purchase cookies to put in my father's lunch and many times they were the Archway brand. She would pack a couple in his lunch and would try to hide the rest for his lunch the next day.  Try is the key word.   Often one of the grandchildren would be visiting and my dad would pull out the cookies and give them a cookie while he had one or two with his coffee.  This happened with many kinds of store bought goodies and the grandchildren. 

My all time favorite was the Coconut Washboards that came in a bag.  They were very crisp and crunchy and went really well with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea.  It was one of those things where you could sit and eat the entire bag. 

This recipe, however, is for their Dutch Cocoa Cookie.   There are a lot of copy cat recipes out there but I tried this one and it came out very nice.  I only made a few adjustments as the dough was very sticky, so I added a tad more flour and I dipped them in white chocolate for the holiday season.  

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New addition to my Christmas Cookie Tray

Every year since I married my husband (1984), I have made trays of cookies to give away at Christmas time.  Heck, I have even made cookie trays for graduation parties and a few weddings. 

For several years instead of trying to do all the baking myself I went to a cookie exchange party.   I did not host the party but the just of it is:  Everyone brings 6 dozen cookies of one kind of cookie.  You can serve appetizers and drinks and play games or even bake extra cookies for sampling and awarding prizes during the party.  The big TADA  is when the hostess tells you how many of each cookie you can take.   the equation 6x12 divided by the number in attendance.  Of course the lower number in attendance the more of one kind of cookie you get.   Sometimes the party I went to, numbers were so large we only got 3 of each kind of cookie.   But no matter the number of who was in attendance you went with 6 dozen of one particular cookie and you came home with six dozen of a variety of cookies. At this time we would all gather up our large trays or cookie tins and form a line around the trays, boxes and tins of cookies displayed for exchanging.  We would then start choosing our allotted number of cookies from each tray until we made it full circle.  Then we would cover up our treasures and head home to enjoy the spoils. 

I haven't gone to a cookie exchange party in a few years. However, each year I still manage to make up a few trays to hand out.  The past several  years I have gotten together with friends to either bake and exchange in their home or mine.   It is always a good time and makes for a busy and fund day. 

This year I decided to try out a new recipe to add to my tray, Raspberry Almond Tarts.   These cookies are made in the mini muffin tin.   I love how anything made in the mini muffin tin is just the right size, one bite for some and two bites for others.  This allows  you room to have another or simply to just taste something altogether different.   I have found a few cookie recipes to use in the mini muffin tin as well, this one of course, Pecan Tassie's, Peanut Butter Cookie Cups, Cherry Almond Delights and Fudge Puddles.  I have also found that the dough in this recipe can be used in several cookie recipes.  I have also used it in making Kolacky's, Italian Fudge Roll Cookies and Rugelach, Italian Nut Horns, Hungarian Walnut Rolls, Hamantaschen Cookies, Cream Cheese Crescents and even thumbprints at times.   All of these make great additions to any cookie tray. 

Cookies are delicious anytime of year but Christmas seems the most popular holiday with having to leaving cookies for Santa.    Yet another reason to bake cookies.   Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and hoping you have your fill of delicious Christmas Cookies during the season and all the year through.

Raspberry Almond Tarts

Here is the recipe for Raspberry Almond Tarts.....

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How do you like your Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Do you like them crispy or soft?  Do you like them flat or chunky?   How about stuffed or not?

I describe my favorite chocolate chip cookie as crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, chunky with lots of chips and nuts.  It can be stuffed with Hazel Nut spread to take it over the top. 

With Hazelnut Spread Stuffed Inside

Do you want one?   Once you have the ingredients on hand they are very easy to make and it takes no time at all to have a cookie sitting next your favorite beverage while reading a book or watching a show or movie. 

Here is the recipe let me know if you try it......

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Needing some Italian Love

Who doesn't love an Italian recipe?  This one delivers all the Italian Love you are looking for and keeps its promise that is hinted at in its name: Chocolate Italian Love Cake. 

It puts together both Chocolate Cake and Italian Cheese Cake in to one glorious bite.  What makes it even better is that it calls for only a few ingredients.  If you like you can swap out the flavor of two of its ingredients for an entirely different flavor.   Are you feeling the Love yet? 

This recipe is also magical.   You prepare and pour into the pan a Chocolate Cake Mix and then you prepare and pour in the cheesecake mixture.   But after baking the two have entirely switched positions and the Cake comes out baked on top while the cheese cake layers itself in nicely on the bottom.   Once completely cooled you frost with a Pudding and Cool Whip Layer.   Now your loving it. 

I for one can't wait to try some flavor mashups by swapping out the Chocolate cake mix and pudding mix.    What about Spice Cake and Pumpkin Pudding or Strawberry Cake and Strawberry Creme Pudding, or Banana Cake and Banana Pudding, etc. 

Please let me know if you try this recipe or if you do a swap out.   Here is the recipe.............

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