homemade oreos

this recipe came along when our sister-in-law, tif, came into the fam. at that point i was in high school, and i hadn't even heard of things as heavenly as homemade oreos. she introduced me, and whenever she'd come over to hang out with our brother (we're still not sure how he lucked out with her), she'd whip some up with me. isn't she dreamy?

i know there are a few versions of this, but here's the one i use. i've made these quite frequently this summer because the guys my husband works with request them regularly.

cookie:

2 devil's food cake mixes 

4 eggs

1 cup oil

1/2 cup flour

blend ingredients together and bake at 350* for 8-9 minutes. don't overcook! you don't want them to be crunchy. bleh.when cookies are cooled, pair each cookie with another one its same size.

frosting:

1 pkg. cream cheese

1 cube butter--softened

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

blend together and put between 2 cookies. the frosting makes a ton, so be generous with each sandwich/oreo.

yum-stinking-o. i made these last night and am pretty sure they'll be gone by tonight. i brought one to school with me for lunch, and i'm seriously regretting it. i am currently daydreaming about when i get home to have another. seriously. they might be my favorite treat. i can't stop thinking about them! ha. they're super healthy, though. so no guilt :)

chocolate chip cookies

it seems like everyone has the perfect cookie recipe, right? or so they claim. the problem, however, is that everyone's idea of the perfect cookie is different. some like big and fluffy, some like chewy and gooey, and some like crunchy (these people are crazies). i myself prefer chewy in the middle and firm on the outside (not firm as in hard. firm as in the 'firm' edges of a pan of brownies). you with me? good. because these cookies are just that! i got them from this blog, and every time i make them i am impressed with how delish they are!

 ingredients

2 cups plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
12 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2-1 bags chocolate chips
Directions:

mix dry ingredients together and set aside. next , mix butter and sugars together, then add egg, yolk, and vanilla. add dry ingredients and mix until combined. stir in chocolate chips. the dough will be kind of runny and sticky. 

you can use a cookie dough/ice cream scoop or just two spoons to form dough balls (they won't really stay in perfect balls), then bake at 325* for 11-14 minutes (i sometimes bake mine at 350* for 10-11 minutes) until the edges are just barely golden brown.

yummo!

and here is my husband 'sampling' his 7th cookie the goods.

ANOTHER (sheesh!) new giveaway winner.

we are beginning to wonder if anyone is reading this blog anymore. so far, we have picked not one but TWO giveaway winners for the texas roadhouse gift card, and neither one has gotten back to us. we really hope there are still people reading this blog :-S

with that out of the way...here is our THIRD giveaway winner...

#26

Shantel!

she said, "I am definitely a follower! I absolutely love this blog."

congrats, shantel! 

email us at howetocook@gmail.com with your address, and the gift card will be on its way! and if you didn't win, don't worry. at this rate, we'll be picking another winner next week ;)

Broccoli Salad

image found here

This is one of my most favorite salads to eat in the summer with a barbeque. It is light and refreshing yet rich and flavorful. I have yet to find a person who does not love this. (Ok, except for Kim. But she doesn't count because if it's not Olive Garden or Cafe Rio she won't eat it.) But you will...I am sure of it!

What you need:

5 C. chopped fresh broccoli

1/2 Craisins

(I just sprinkle some in until it looks pretty)
1/4 Chopped red onion-optional
(I never put these in because it is just plain wrong)
10 bacon strips-cooked and crumbled
1/4 C. sunflower seeds
1 C. grated chedder cheese

For the dressing you need:
1/2 C. Mayo
2 T. Sugar
3 T. Red wine vinegar

Mix the salad ingredients together. Blend the dressing ingredients until smooth. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until completely coated. Chill and Serve!

(We like ours "saucey" so if it seems too dry I will double the dressing.)