Alex's Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Alex is a character in Minecraft, and yes, this is another recipe from the Minecrafter's Cookbook.

It's a straightforward recipe.  For the chocolate chunks, I used candy bars I bought at Whole Foods Market late last year, and I also added some chocolate chips. 

The cookies turned out great, with lots of help from the littlest!

Alex's Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients: 

• 1 c butter, softened
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1/2 c sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla
• 2 1/2 c flour
• 3/4 t baking soda
• 1 c dark chocolate candy, chopped
• 1 c chocolate chips

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugars.
• Mix in eggs and vanilla.
• Mix in flour and baking soda.
• Stir in chocolate chunks and chips.
• Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto parchment-line baking sheet. 
• Bake in a preheated 375-degree F oven for 8-9 minutes.
• Let sit on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

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Minecraft Hay Bale Granola Bars

Next up in the Minecrafter's Cookbook was Hay Bale Granola Bars.

These were an easy, no-bake treat to make!

Simply mix together 1 apple (peeled and chopped), 2 1/2 c quick-cooking oats, 1/2 c walnuts (the original recipe called for almonds), 1 t cinnamon, 1 c peanut butter, and 1/4 c honey.

Pour mixture into an 8x8-inch parchment-lined pan.

Flatten mixture with back of spoon, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Cut into bars, and enjoy for snack, dessert, or even breakfast!

The littlest wants to add strawberries, bananas, and chocolate chips next time!

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Minecraft Portal Cookies

My youngest borrowed a cookbook from the library, asking "Can we make some of these during my Spring Break?"

How could I deny such a cute request?

One of the recipes we made was for Minecraft Portal Cookies.

The directions lacked some details, so I tried to be more specific in terms of what we did to make the cookies.

My son loved how they turned out (I thought the portal windows were quite cool as well)!

Minecraft Portal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 c flour
• 3/4 t baking powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 c sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 15 Jolly Ranchers (any color variety)

Directions:

• In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.
• In a separate medium bowl, combine the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
• Add in eggs and vanilla.
• Slowly add in flour mixture.
• Remove dough and form a log about 4 inches in diameter.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place Jolly Ranchers in a blender and pulse until in small pieces.
• On a flour-dusted work surface, roll out dough until 1/4-inch thick.
• Cut out 3-inch squares.
• Within each square, cut out a 2-inch square (reuse smaller squares to make bigger squares or different cookies).
• Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated 350-degree oven for 8 minutes.
• Sprinkle candy pieces in small squares and bake for 3 more minutes.
• Let cool on baking sheet before moving to wire rack.

The original recipe can be found in the Minecrafter's Cookbook.

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