Delicious Andes Mint Cookies

I am sorry I have been non-existent from the blog for the past few months...With baby number two on the way I have been somewhat out of commission! It has also not helped my cravings for yummy treats! Claire loves helping me cook and this past week we made delicious Andes Mint Cookies!

Short story-I am not proud to admit that I swiped this recipe from a guy I was dating in college, in order to make them for Dr. Cameron Roberts (who I was  not yet dating but wanted to be...) Sneaky. I know. I am not proud, but it worked! I now have this great recipe and Cameron. I am also happy to report that this nice guy I was dating is married to someone else and has no ill feelings( I don't think...)

INGREDIENTS

1 adorable helper

3/4 cup butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 tablespoons water

12 ounces chocolate chips

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

24 Andes mints

1.Melt butter, brown sugar, and water in a saucepan. Stir occasionally and be careful not to burn. 

2. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted. (Make sure your heat is not to high or the chocolate will curdle.)

3.Let cool for 10 minutes. 

4. Add remaining ingredients, mix together, and let chill for 1 hour. (Do not skip the "chill" step.)

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

6. Roll dough into balls and place on cookie sheet. Make sure you leave space between the balls. If you don't use wax paper or a rubber cookie sheet, lightly grease the cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes. 

7. While baking, unwrap the Andes Mints. Once the cookies are done, place a candy on top of each cookie. Allow the candy to melt, and then swirl it as a frosting on the top of each cookie with a spoon or knife. 

8.EAT YUMMY COOKIES...then go brush your teeth. 

Grandchild Approved Dental Office

Guess who flew many miles to test out Dr. David Robert's dental office waiting room just for you? The Grandbabies! And let me tell you, the dental office waiting room toys, chairs, and books were met with sound satisfaction and approval. At Dr. David Robert's office we welcome families of all ages, but we are also suited to accommodate families with busy and curious little one's needs. This office is DEFINITELY two year old approved.

MouthHealthy.Org Check This Out!

Did you know that the American Dental Association has put together this AWESOME website all about dental care for you and your family? It seriously is SO cool and informative! From fun quizzes you can take regarding your dental health, to videos and teaching tools for little ones on how to brush their teeth, there is so much for you to take a advantage of. I particularly love the video where Elmo shows our daughter how to brush her teeth! CHECK OUT ELMO NOW

I also love how it breaks out any questions you may have by age and circumstance. I am sure I will be using this resource from here on out! MouthHealthy.org

Dr. Cameron Roberts Favorite Thanksgiving Treat

MINCEMEAT SUGAR COOKIES: (No animal was harmed in the making of this product.)

My husband LOVES mincemeat. Let me preface this by saying I think mincemeat is TOTALLY, COMPLETELY, 100% GROSS. So every year he begs me to make mincemeat pie for Thanksgiving dinner and very year I tell him he is crazy. (In a loving, supportive way....) Last year I conceded, made it and he of course was they only one that ate it. After speaking with Dr. Cameron Roberts' mom, she gave me a great idea for a compromise; this also happened to be a favorite of his-mincemeat sugar cookies. 

WHAT IS MINCEMEAT?

As I said, no animals were harmed in the making of this product. Originally, mincemeat literally had meat juice as part of the ingredients along with dried fruits such as raisins, apples, and apricots, spices, and distilled spirits. Today it is mostly the dried fruits and spices although one can opt for the "spirits" kind. We did not. I found it extremely hard to make mincemeat from scratch. Things like "beef suet" just simply aren't on the local grocery stores shelves.(Who knew!?) I could buy a pre-made mixture (seen above) on the baking isle that did not include the meat juice. 

THE RECIPE INGREDIENTS

3 Cups Powdered Sugar

2 Cups Butter

2 Eggs

2 Tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 Tsp Almond Extract (This is KEY- I LOVE almond flavoring. It makes everything taste heavenly. I actually increase this in my sugar cookie recipe.  If you do not like almond flavoring you can delete or decrease to normal amount of 1 tsp.)

5 Cups Flour

2 Tsp Cream of Tarter

2 Tsp Baking Soda

DIRECTIONS

*Pre-heat oven to 375 Degrees. 

1. Take Sugar and Butter and Cream them in a large bowl. (This is a double batch so really- make sure it is a large bowl).
2. Add eggs, vanilla, tarter,  baking soda, and almond extract
3. Add Flour a cup at a time, stirring with mixer until completely mixed. 
4. Sprinkle a flat clean surface with flour or for an added treat powdered sugar. Place a ball of dough on the surface.  Roll flat with pin covered in powdered sugar or flour. 
5. I like to use fun seasonal cookie cutters such as turkeys and pumpkins. Make sure you have two cut outs for each cookie. (2 pumpkins, 2 turkeys)

. 

 6. Place the 1st pumpkin on the baking sheet. Put a dollop of mincemeat on the cookie. Trust me, only a little dab will do. 

7. Take the second matching cookie cutout and place it directly over the top. You can lightly press the edges but really there is no need. 

8. Bake at 375 for 7-10 mins depending on your oven and elevation. I am at basically sea level with a basic, non convection oven, and it takes about 8 1/2 minutes for mine to be done.

And WALA! I will admit these are MUCH better than mincemeat pie. I fed it to my very excited 2 year old however and she commented " Mommy dhese cookie yucky."  At the same time it did go over well with some of the other children at Thanksgiving dinner- My husband included. 

What We Are About

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

  My name is Haley Roberts and I am a Serious SWEET TOOTH. To make matters worse (or better in my opinion) I married into a family of Dentists who remind me I should know better. Whether it be chocolate cream pie, homemade Creme Brulee' or just plain ole' sugar cookies I cannot resist! To combat my "addiction", my father-in-law and my husband have agreed to provide me with helpful tips and advise to save my sugar coated teeth and I agree to share this wonderful advise with you (as well as updates on my latest SWEET recipe.) Warning-I'll probably throw in other items of interest such as how to keep the pounds off when eating these delicious recipes! So here is my latest discovery which is perfect for Thanksgiving and I LOVE it!

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

NOTE* This recipe comes from Food.com but I have altered it to add- you guessed it- I tiny bit more sugar. It was a little bitter the 1st go around! 

INGREDIANTS

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar + 1 tsp of sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pinch clove

1 cup 1% low-fat milk (can be any kind)

6 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 egg

DIRECTIONS

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, spices and salt in a bowl.

2.In a separate bowl whisk together milk, pumpkin, melted butter, and egg.

3.Fold mixture into dry ingredients.

4.Spray or grease a skillet and heat over medium heat: pour in 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.

5.Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side. Serve with butter and syrup.

6.Makes about six 6-inch pancakes.

Add some homemade Whipping Cream and fresh blackberries and your mouth will thank you!