So I began baking this week. This is something I always do with my grandchildren and we have great fun. I am going to give you two great recipies for cookies that do not involve baking. Both are balls that get dipped in chocolate.
I want to give you a few hints about chocolate. I melt regular chocolate chips in a double boiler. You can also use the microwave, but then you have to figure out how to keep the chocolate hot and melted while you are dipping the cookies. If you don't have a double boiler, use a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. You do not want a full rolling boil because then the water will spatter and get into your chocolate. Ugh! The other secret is paraffin. You buy this at the grocery store, usually where the canning supplies like jars and lids are. Ask if you can't find it. It comes in a box and each box has several rectangle shaped cakes. I use one third a cake to a 12 ounce bag of chocolate chips. Put the paraffin in the chocolate once the chocolate has melted. Wait for it to melt and stir well. This will work for anything you want to dip in chocolate. It gets firm and shinny. Also, in case you are wondering, it is perfectly safe to eat.
Ok, so here are the recipes. The first is super easy and was given to me by a co-worker a few years ago. The second has a few more ingredients but this is my family's favorite Christmas cookie. I could stop baking everything else as long as I made these. I got this recipe at a cookie exchange I attended when I was an Air Force wife probably well over 30 years ago. Here goes, enjoy!
OREO CREAM CHEESE BALLS
1 regular size bag of Oreos
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
12 oz bag of chocolate chips
1/3 cake of paraffin
Break the cookies into a food processor or blender. Process until they are fine crumbs. Add the cream cheese and process until it all comes together. If you don't have a food processor, transfer the crumbs into a bowl and use a hand mixer to combine the cream cheese and crumbs.
Roll the mixture into small balls about the size of a grape, only round. Put in the freezer for two hours or until you are ready to dip. I usually do all my dipping on one night , so I save all my cookies for then. Follow the directions above for melting the chocolate and paraffin. Dip each ball and set on waxed paper to dry. Makes about 5 dozen. If you have chocolate left over, save, remelt and use for the next batch of cookies.
FAMILY FAVORITE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
2 C graham cracker crumbs
2 C powdered sugar
1 C shredded coconut
1 C chopped walnuts
1 C crunchy peanut butter
1 C maraschino cherries drained and chopped
1 t vanila
2 sticks butter melted
1/3 cake paraffin
12 oz. package chocolate chips.
Add crumbs and sugar to melted butter and mix well. Add all the other ingredients and mix until all is combined. Form into balls about the size of a small walnut. Refridgerate or freeze at least 2 hours. Follow directions above for dipping in chocolate. Makes about 5 dozen.
Later this week, I will post some other family favorite cookie recipes. 'Tis the season, get baking!!
