Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Seattle has been living up to it's rainy reputation for the last few days. I love living here, and I really do love the rain, but even I can get a little down when it just goes on for days.

But one thing that always makes me feel better is getting in the kitchen and baking up something for my family to enjoy. Cookies are always welcome, and when my grandchildren get home from a long day at school, it's always a nice surprise for them.

I love being a Nana who bakes treats, and hopefully that is something they will always remember about me.

My granddaughter Ashley is only four but she is already my baking buddy in the kitchen. When we get ready to bake something, she'll ask if we need brown sugar, baking powder, the spatula? She makes me laugh because she's already familiar with what we need for baking.

And Ashley did help me with this very easy and delicious recipe for these cookies. They are soft and chewy, and filled with milk chocolate and chopped walnuts. If you don't want nuts in your cookies, you can leave them out, but they do add so much flavor.

These are the perfect cookies for a milk and cookies kind of afterschool snack. But grownups love them too!!

Recipe for Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 eggs, large
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 2¾ cups flour
• 11.5 ounces milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

 

Directions:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, and sugar with hand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until mixture is very fluffy and turns lighter in color
3. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and baking soda for 1 minute on low speed. Scrape the sides of bowl as needed.
4. Gradually mix in flour just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until golden around the edges - about 11 to 13 minutes.
6. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Makes about 30 cookies.

 

Big Game Day Fun and A Recipe For Spicy Beef Nachos

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GameDayGlory #CollectiveBias

Football season is a big deal in my family. We all love cheering for our favorite teams, some good natured team rivalry, and the chance to spend a Sunday together before getting back to our busy workweeks.

Nothing makes me happier that to see my grownup kids and their families having a good time with each other. Football might be all about the game for some, but for me, it's a great way to spend time with those I love.

My family loves to eat of course, and my recipe for Spicy Beef Nachos is one that I make all the time. Made with ground beef, TOSTITOS® Medium Chunky Salsa, and TOSTITOS® chips, it packs a spicy punch that is just so good.

Food and football just go so naturally together, and makes for a great day of delicious fun.

I've found that the easiest way to entertain on football Sundays is to put everything out on the table and let everyone eat and drink what they want when they want it. We make big platters of the nachos so everyone can help themselves, and they go quick!!

Along with the nachos, I like to include some of our favorite snacks like SNICKERS® Minis and Skittles®. These candies are long time family favorites, and I know by now to buy the big bags of them so there's plenty to go around. My kids might be adults but they still love their candy.

Since I love Pepsi™, it's always in the pantry and makes a great choice to go along with our nachos. When I'm doing my shopping at Walmart, it's super easy to pick up anything I might need for our family game watching.

For my recipe for Spicy Beef Nachos, I always get the TOSTITOS® Scoops Party Size. They are just like a tiny cup that you fill with the ground beef, and are the perfect size. Look for them and the regular TOSTITOS® in the chip aisle.

If you're a football and snack lover, have you ever thought about building your own snack stadium? It's a great way to have some fun, and you can share a photo of your own snack stadium on Instagram using #gamedayglorysweepstakes. Go here for recipes and snack stadium ideas.

You can also vote for your favorite snack stadium to enter the #gamedayglorysweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Walmart eGift card or Xbox One.

Game Day Glory Sweepstakes

My nachos are all about the spicy! I love spicy foods, and I season the meat with taco seasoning, hot sauce, and TOSTITOS® Medium Chunky Salsa. If you don't like your meat super spicy, don't add the hot sauce.

Start out by browning one pound of ground beef and half a chopped onion. Pour off the grease and add taco seasoning, hot sauce, and chunky salsa, and simmer for 10 minutes. Sometimes I'll make a double batch of the meat and put half of it in the freezer. This is a great way to be party ready, or just have the cooked meat on hand for tacos, burritos, or other meals.

When the meat is done, arrange the scoops on a platter, and spoon the meat into the scoops. You can top it with different ingredients of your choice. I love the classic lettuce, tomatoes, a three cheese shredded mix, and with a big helping of sour cream, which tones down the spicy beef a little.

Nachos are such an easy meal to put together, and a real favorite for me and my family while watching the game. It's all about making it simple in the kitchen so that you can enjoy sharing the time with family and friends.

Recipe for Spicy Beef Nachos

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 package taco seasoning
1/2 cup TOSTITOS® Medium Chunky Salsa
4 tablespoons hot sauce
1 bag finely shredded lettuce
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped small
1 bag Mexican 3-cheese blend
1 container sour cream
1 bag TOSTITOS® Scoops Party Size

Directions:

Place ground beef in a large frying pan and break up with a spoon. Add onion, and cook on medium heat until meat and onion are well browned.
Turn heat to low, stir in taco seasoning, salsa, and hot sauce. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Place scoops on a platter and fill with meat. Add lettuce, tomato, and sprinkle on blended cheese. Add sour cream on top of each nacho and serve.

Serves 6-8.

I found these cute little football shaped bowls for less than a dollar each, and they help make the table look more festive. Perfect for holding those SNICKERS® Minis and Skittles® that we all enjoy during the game.

You can find all of these products in the aisles at your local Walmart. I enjoy shopping for family favorite products that lets me make entertaining everyone simple and delicious.

I'm always a little bit sad to see football season end. I love my team, and it's so surprising to me how much I have learned to enjoy the game. I never really cared about football until my kids started wanting to get together to watch it.

But now the fun, the food, and my family make game watching season one of my favorite times of the year.

How about you, do you enjoy watching the game with family or friends? And if you do, do you have a favorite game day meal or snack that you'd like to share with me?

Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear about your recipe. And go here for more recipes and great game day ideas.

Go Team!!

LEGO FRIENDS: Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray And Lego Set Giveaway #Girlz4Life

*Warner Bros. Home Video provided me with some of the materials I used in this Blog Post/Giveaway. The opinions I share are my own.*

I have been happy to see the inclusion of a girls line into the world of LEGO. Having a son I do not have girly toys and such around the house but my sister who has two boys and a girl does. I can totally see my niece being into these LEGO Friends Girlz for Life characters. They teach about the values of friendship, wear fashionable outfits and have fun music to rock out to.

Join Olivia, Stephanie, Emma, Mia and Andrea, as they learn about friendship, fame and pop star fun in Heartlake City.

The girls’ friendships are tested when mega pop star Livi comes to Heartlake City. When our friends’ hit song “Girlz” is stolen by Livi’s manager, it’s time for a cunning plan.

As the girls try to tell Livi the truth about her latest hit single, they all learn that fame isn’t everything and sometimes friendship is the most precious thing in the world.

Own LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE on digital HD 1/19 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD 2/2

Also be sure to visit the official L2M website to stay updated with all things L2M!
www.L2MOfficial.com

Your kids will LOVE the LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE blog app: 

• Grab your pop star microphone because it’s sing-along night! Click the play button to watch the special sing-along music video for Girlz by L2M. 
• Listen to the song High Tops by L2M and click to watch the “Meet L2M” video that introduces the next girl-pop power sensation. 
• Download the “Girlz 4 Life” Activity Pack and to unlock your inner pop star! Kit includes Selfie props, a “Spot the Difference” game, making the Band DIY pop star instruments, Friendship Card and more! 
• Click on LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE Blu-ray Combo Pack for a link where the film can be purchased!




Enter to win Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray And Lego Set in Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts January 15, 2016 and ends on January 25, 2016 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

**Each household is only eligible to win LEGO FRIENDS: Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray & LEGO FRIENDS: Pop Star Dressing Room Kit via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Raspberry Clafoutis Recipe From Food52 Baking Cookbook

One of the things I wanted to do this year was to try new recipes from my cookbooks. I have a slight addiction to buying them, and it seems silly to not actually cook from them, and instead find recipes online. Of course, the internet is a great resource for this, but for me, nothing beats actually holding that book in my hands and seeing it on my shelves.

One of the books I bought so far this year is Food52 Baking. It's a great little cookbook filled with 60 easy to make desserts and treats. I love a cookbook that when I'm looking through it, I'll see recipes that I know I can attempt and hopefully succeed at.

When I first saw this recipe for Raspberry Clafoutis, I was thinking I wouldn't be trying it. A French word in the title alone is enough to stop me cold. And this recipe is like a flan, and I haven't had much luck making that dessert.

But when I read the recipe, it was very simple to make so I decided to give it a try. And I'm so glad I did because it turned out so delicious. It's very smooth and creamy, and the raspberries give it a little tartness that blends beautifully with the sweet.

Recipe for Raspberry Clafoutis

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup half-and-half
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Brush a 9-inch ceramic pie plate or casserole dish with the melted butter.
In a large bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, egg yolk, sugar and almond extract. Add the flour and whisk just until smooth, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and scatter the raspberries evenly over the top.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the Clafoutis is just set and the surface is golden brown. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve warm. 

Serves 6.

You could also pour the mixture into ramekins to make individual desserts, which I'm going to do next time I make this. I can also see using other kinds of berries with this, as the Clafoutis is a delicious base that would adapt to it.

Enjoy!!

Happy New Year and A Recipe For Molasses Cookies

Happy New Year everyone!! I'm sitting here typing this on New Year's morning, the Rose Parade is on, and I'm drinking a delicious second cup of coffee. Very simple pleasures, but I've certainly learned through the years that finding a little bit of happiness in each day is essential to our wellbeing and peace of mind.

This past year has brought some new things and situations into my life, all of which have been blessings and that I'm most grateful for. And I'm so grateful to still have this blog and the many opportunities it's brought to my daughters and myself through the years. I don't make New Year's resolutions much anymore, but if I were going to, it would be to get back to more serious blogging.

I love blogging and I want 2016 to be a great year here at Frugal Family Tree, and to be able to share more personal stories, more recipes, and new things that we discover.

Yesterday, my granddaughter Ashley and I had the urge to bake something yummy, so we baked these easy Molasses Cookies. I'd been meaning to bake them before Christmas but just didn't get around to it.

My mother used to bake molasses cookies all the time and though this isn't her recipe, it does come close to being almost as great tasting as hers. This is a simple recipe that is good to make with the kids as it involves rolling the dough into balls, and pretty much feels like playing with play dough.

Recipe for Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar plus extra for rolling on the cookies
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses, light unsulphured
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, 1 cup sugar, and egg on medium speed until smooth. Stir in the molasses.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger, then add it into the molasses mixture and mix thoroughly.
Roll the dough into small balls, about a tablespoon's worth, and then roll them in the extra white sugar.
Place cookies on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart and bake for 12-13 minutes or until tops are cracked. Place cookies on a wire rack and let cool completely.

This recipe will make about 30 cookies.

So here's to 2016, and I hope it's a happy, healthy, and loving new year for us all. And have a cookie, because it's the little things in life that add up to a happy one.