Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. Chocolate instant pudding
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup cold milk
6 squares semi-sweet chocolate, chopped, divided
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts, divided
1 cup creamy peanut butter
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 13x9 inch dish with foil; spray with cooking spray. Mix first 4 ingredients until blended.( Mixture will be thick.) Press half the cake mix mixture into prepared pan. Bake 10 min. Sprinkle half each of the chocolate and nuts over crust; top with peanut butter. Cover with layers of remaining cake mix mixture, chocolate and nuts. Press gently with spatula. Bake 15 min. Cool 1 hour. Refrigerate 4 hours before cutting into bars.

No Bake Coco-Date Cookies

1 stick margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup chopped dates
2 eggs, well beaten
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup rice krispies
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
In a large skillet over low heat, barely melt margarine. Stir in sugar, dates, and eggs. Continue stirring and cook slowly until thick, about 10 min. or more. After mixture thickens, remove from heat,stir in pecans, rice krispies, and vanilla. Cool. Spread coconut out on wax paper. Roll teaspoonsful of mixture in coconut. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Monster Cookies

This recipe was a request from my daughter, Becky, who along with her husband Jon and their 3 children are missionaries in Italy.

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. firmly packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 cups peanut butter
3/4 tsp. light corn syrup
1/4 tsp. vanilla
4 1/2 cups oatmeal
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup M & M's pieces (mini)
1 --6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips

Cream butter and gradually add sugars. Beat at medium speed. Add eggs, peanut butter, syrup, and vanilla. Beat well. Add oats, soda, and salt. Stir well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Dough will be stiff. Pack into 1/4 cup measuring cup. Mound onto lightly greased cookie sheet 4 inches apart. Press into 3 1/2 inch circle. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 miutes. Center will be slightly soft. Cool on cookie sheet several minutes before removing. Makes approx. 2 1/2 dozen.

Chewy Brownie Cookies

2/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, beat shortening, brown sugar, water, and vanilla on med. speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add to sugar mixture, beating on low speed just until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until cookies are set. Cookies will appear soft and moist. Do not overbake. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely. Makes about 3 doz. cookies.

Oatmeal Cookies

This is different recipe than one I blogged before.

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup flour
5 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
2 cups raw oats
1 cup coconut
1 cup nuts or chocolate chips or gum drops or raisins
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mom's Soft Raisin Cookies

1 cup water
2 cups raisins
1 cup shortening
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Combine raisins and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook for 3 min., remove from the heat and let cool (do not drain ). In a mixing bowl, cream shortening; gradually add sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture along with raisins. Blend thoroughly. Stir in nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 14 min.

No Bake Peanut Butter Clusters

I got this recipe from Deanna Melton, a dear young lady that I have known since the day she was born. Her dad was a dear friend of mine when we were children and he married a girl that became a dear friend, also. We have remained friends through the years. Deanna is now a pastor's wife and mother to 3 children. These cookies are absolutely delicious!

1 cup light karo syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter
4 cups Special K cereal
Bring syrup, sugar, vanilla to a boil. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and Special K cereal. Drop from spoon onto wax paper.

Dishpan Cookies

If you are ever in need of a very large batch of cookies, this might be your recipe. Plus, they are delicious!

Cream together:
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 cups oil
Mix: 4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup nuts
1 1/2 cups oats
2 tsp. soda
2 cups coconut
6 oz. chocolate chips
6 oz. butterscotch chips
or you can make them with 12 oz. of the same flavor chips
Bake at 325 degrees for 8 - 9 minutes.

Choco-Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
3/4 tsp. salt
3 cups oats
12 oz. pkg chocolate chips
3/4 cup nuts, chopped
Bake in 375 degree oven for 9-11 minutes

Dream Cookies

These are some of my son, Mark's, favorite cookies. When he was a little boy, he always liked these. I think he still does.

1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 lb. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Boil all together in large saucepan. Let come to a full rolling boil. Pour the boiling mixture over 3 cups uncooked oats, mix thoroughly. Add 1 cup coconut and 1/2 cup nuts. Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper.

Orange-Glazed Date Drops

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening or oil
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup oats
1 cup chopped dates
Cream shortening, sugar, and egg. Add other ingredients. Bake on cookie sheet 10 to 12 min. at 375 degrees. For glaze: 2 Tbsp. orange juice and 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar.

Lone Ranger Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 cup coconut
2 cups corn flakes (crumbled )
2 cups quick oats ( uncooked )
1 tsp. vnilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup nuts
Cream shortening, add sugar . Beat well and blend in beaten eggs. Sift flour, salt, soda, and baking powder. Add to creamed mixture. Add vanilla, oatmeal, cereal, coconut and nuts.
This makes stiff dough, mix by hand. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Coconut Cookies

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix together. Put into 9 inch square pan
Bake 7 or 8 min. at 350 degrees.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups coconut
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix well. Put on top of crust and bake 15 minutes. Cut while hot.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

2 cups unsifted flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

On a piece of wax paper, stirring with a fork, thoroughly mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a large mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar; stir in corn syrup, then pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Mix well. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring until smooth. Stir in raisins and pecans. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet 2 in. apart, flattening slightly with back of spoon. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven until cookies are lightly browned on bottom and spring back when touched, about 15 min. Makes about 48 cookies.

Pineapple Coconut Bars

2/3 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/2 cup flour
Bake on cookie sheet 10 min. at 350 degrees

Top with:
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup well-drained pineapple
1 cup coconut
Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees

Angel Cookies

1/2 cup margarine
1 cup vegetable shortening
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar (packed )
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. almond flavoring (optional )

Cream together margarine and shortening. Add eggs, Mix well. Add brown sugar, white sugar and vanilla, combine thoroughly. Mix together flour, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Slowly, add flour mixture to creamed mixture, mixing well. Drop by teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 8 minutes in 350 degree oven. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Ice Box Cookies

You can tell that this is a really old recipe by the name. It's one that all 5 of my grandchildren love.

2/3 cup white sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup margarine
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix and store in refrigerator over night or I usually bake mine immediately.
Bake 350 degree oven for 7 - 8 minutes.

No Bake Butterscotch Bars

1 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
3/4 cup margarine
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 pkg. butterscotch chips

Cook sugar,eggs, and margarine over low heat, stirring constantly for about 5 min. Cool, then add graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows, coconut, and nuts, Put mixture in a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan. Melt peanut butter and butterscotch chips, then spread over top for frosting. In warm weather, refrigerate.

Maxine's Oatmeal Cookies

These are my husband's favorite cookies.

1 Cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar ( firmly packed )
Cream together
Add 2 eggs
Cream again
Add 1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix then add 3 cups quick cooking oats. Mix again.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes.
Sometimes when we go on a trip, I will make these and add raisins, pecans, chocolate chips and coconut. George calls them his gourmet traveling cookies.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have had this recipe for more than 50 years. It is a different kind of chocolate chip cookie. It is Becky's favorite.

1 cup shortening
2 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp. soda
3/4 tsp. salt
2 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cream together shortening, and sugars. Add rest of ingredients. Roll into walnut sized balls. Bake at 400 degrees for 7 min. Will be only slightly brown. These are a soft cookie.