Day 64: Almond Cookies with Cherries and Mini Chocolate Chips

It has become routine now. Every afternoon when I pick the boys up from school the first thing out of their mouth is "What's the cookie of the day?" I am actually starting to believe they care more about the cookie then me. Well, not really but it would sure seem that way. Maybe I will implement a "NO COOKIE FOR YOU!" policy like the Soup Nazi of Seinfield.

It would be something like this:

1. Mom gets a hug

2. When she asks about your day, you give her tell her at lest one thing about your day.

3. Ask about the cookie of the day

If you don't follow the procedure it's "No Cookie For You!"

I am giggling just thinking about the look on their faces. Imagine me in a very poorly copied accent saying this to my three boys who have no idea who the soup Nazi is!!! I know, funny.

Side note: Find The Soup Nazi episode of Seinfield and show it to the kids, they will love it.

Usually, when I give my answer to the boy's after school cookie question they smile. Usually.

Any time my answer contains dried fruit Ian is devastated. I have no idea what caused his dislike for dried fruit, but he actually told me that he thinks the fruit makes the cookies "tasteds gross". Sorry kid.

Noah and Dane disagree. They both love biting into a cookie with small pieces of fruit. Noah welcomes the unexpected flavor (yep, he said that) and Dane loves all food. Dane will sit and eat anything you put in front of him. Well, except baked beans, but that is a story for another post.

I wanted to make a crunchy, fruity cookie. I came up with these.

Almond Cookies With Dried Cherries and Mini Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp almond extract

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup chopped almonds

1/4 cup cherries

1/2 c mini chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Sift the dry ingredients together, set aside.

Cream the butter and sugars.

Add the eggs (one at a time) and almond extract.

Slowly mix in sifted dry ingredients.

Spoon onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the sides are golden brown.

Cool on the cookie sheet for 1 minute.

Transfer to a cooling rack to complete cooling.

Enjoy!

Noah couldn't wait to try these

Delicious!

I was very happy with the taste and texture of this cookie. If you do not have mini chocolate chips I would omit them. I think substituting regular sized chocolate chips may take away from the almond flavor of this cookie. If you must, reduce the chocolate chips by half.

I look forward to your comments and support. Remember to follow the challenge on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on our adventures.

Day 55: Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Almonds

Since I began this challenge I have notice a definent increase in our weekly grocery bill. I need to make it a point to utilize the ingredients I have in my pantry before going out for more. I am lucky enough to live three minutes from six different grocery stores so even the most obsuce ingredient is with in reach. That makes it easy to keep adding to the pantry!

I find myself strolling through the baking isle and imagining what kind of cookie I can make from the ingredients in front of me. My family is even starting to joke about how I will see some random ingredient and say "I should make a cookie out of that!"

For this Cookie Of the Day of COD, I looked in my pantry first. I had some white chocolate chips left over from day 46 along with some slivered almonds and cranberries. This is what I came up with.

Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Almonds

1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter (softened)

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg plus 1 egg YOKE

1/2 tsp of almond extract

1 cup plus 3 tablespoons flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift dry ingredients together and set aside.

Cream butter and sugars together.

Add egg, mix well.

Add egg yoke and almond extract, mix.

Slowly add flower mixture stirring until well incorporated.

Add cranberries, white chocolate chips and almonds.

Drop a teaspoon full of dough onto a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool on cookie sheet for one minute then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

A cookie and homework, perfect!