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Snowball Cookies

December 13, 2015

Snowball Cookies - a traditional Christmas cookie with added chocolate chips! (Recipe via simplyhappenstance.com)Snowball Cookies //

Cookies… they’re definitely one of my top 5 favorite treats. I love how simple they are to make, that they come in the perfect size for indulging, and that there is usually an abundance of dough… so you have plenty to share!

During the holidays, I tend to try out some new cookie recipes along with a few tried-and-true faves. At bakeries, I’m always tempted by the traditional wedding cookies. They’re called varying names depending on the culture (Italian Wedding Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Polvorones, Russian Tea Cakes, and even Snowball Cookies — to name a few), and are baked for celebrations. Typical recipes call for nuts to be added, but in this particular recipe, I opted to substitute mini (semi-sweet) chocolate chips for the nuts to make it more kid-friendly. The outcome was heavenly… the kids couldn’t have been happier! 

Snowball Cookies (Recipe via simplyhappenstance.com) #ChristmasCookies

Growing up, I always looked forward to the Christmas tin of cookies that my Aunt Jean would make for our family. She would include a mixture of sweet treats that she baked up fresh in her kitchen (sugar cookies, fudge, seven layer bars, chocolate chip cookies, and these wedding cookies). It’s a tradition that I LOVE and try to uphold each year. 

These Snowball Cookies with Mini Chocolate Chips have a rich buttery taste and melt-in-your-mouth with each bite. They’re delicate and flavorful… a lovely treat to share with family and friends over the holidays, and perfect to include in those cute holiday tins!

Snowball Cookies (Recipe on simplyhappenstance.com)

These little cookies are great for little hands to help with, too. Preparing the simple dough, adding in the mini chocolate chips, rolling into balls, and covering in powdered sugar are fun tasks in preparing these little bites of joy! 

Snowball Cookies (Recipe via simplyhappenstance.com) #ChristmasCookies #CookieExchange #EdibleGifts

TIPS //

  1. Use only real butter for best cookie results! You won’t be sorry!
  2. Wait for the cookies to cool for a few minutes before rolling in powdered sugar. This will allow them time to cool (so as not to burn your hands) and set properly so that they don’t crumble. 
  3. Before serving, you can give an additional roll in powdered sugar to make them look freshly dipped in snow (wink, wink)!
  4. The dough is stiff enough to work with right away, or if you prefer, you can roll them into balls and freeze in an air-tight container.  The raw cookies can go straight from the freezer to the oven by adding 2 to 3 minutes to the original cooking time. 

Snowball Cookies Made With Mini Chocolate Chips! (Get the Recipe on simplyhappenstance.com)

I hope that you and your families truly love the “mini” addition in this traditional cookie recipe! Making half the dough with mini chocolate chips and half with nuts (chopped pecans would be my choice!) would be a delicious way to share these treats with those you love! Warmest holiday wishes to you all… and Happy Baking!!!

Print Recipe

Snowball Cookies

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time7 mins
Total Time17 mins
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: Dessert
Servings: 4 dozen
Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips I used semi-sweet
  • Additional powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until fluffy.
  • Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl: flour & salt. Slowly, add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar until the dough comes together. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
  • TIP // If the dough is too soft or sticky, chill it until you can work it easily with your hands (30 minutes or so).
  • Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop small amounts of dough (approx. 1-2 tablespoons worth) and roll into balls using the palms of your hands. Place balls of dough on prepared cookie sheets.
  • Bake cookies for 7-9 minutes until bottoms are just slightly brown. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes, until you can handle them.
  • Fill a small bowl with sifted powdered sugar and roll each cookie in the sugar until coated. Place on a rack to cool. (Once cookies are cooled, or just before serving, you can re-roll them in more powdered sugar to look like they're freshly covered in "snow"). Enjoy!

Notes

Original Recipe Inspiration From: Crazy for Crust

 

Snowball Cookies

  sarasignature3 copy

Filed Under: Food

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

December 9, 2014

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies | Simply Happenstance:: Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies ::

Well, it’s started! The Christmas Season is officially underway! Just this weekend, my sweet girl sang in our small town light parade with her school choir! Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit quite like a parade filled with exuberant, marching, glowing kids! {Haha!}

Now that it’s truly feeling like Christmas is near, I have started planning what cookies and bars to make for neighbors, family and friends, to celebrate the joyous upcoming holiday. I know one thing for sure! These Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies, will most definitely, be on my list! 

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies  Simply Happenstance -21

Earlier this week, while doing a little grocery shopping, I picked up a bag of these little gems {Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses}! You guys! I hadn’t eaten one before! I wouldn’t consider myself a peppermint lover {although I don’t mind a little peppermint creamer added to my coffee this time of year}… well, let’s just say that I had to go out and buy bag *number two* before making these cookies! Ha! They’re really that good — and addicting, I might add! {You try just eating one!} [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

June 3, 2013

  

:: Strawberry Oatmeal Bars ::

When it comes to baking, you just can’t go wrong with a recipe that calls for a crumbly mixture of butter, brown sugar, and oatmeal {am I right?}! Combine those ingredients with your favorite flavor of jam {yum!} and you are left with a rich and chewy bar that you can enjoy as a snack or even served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! These delicious bars also pack perfectly in kids lunches and would make a nice treat for a friend!

We were fortunate to have a  jar of super sweet homemade strawberry jam that a friend had made for us in our fridge. I used it in this recipe… and I am sure it enhanced the pure tastiness! Although I used strawberry, you can use any flavor of jam of your liking. Peach… raspberry…. blackberry…. whatever you fancy or have readily available! The buttery, brown sugar oatmeal mixture is used for the base of the bar…. and the crumbly topping! It is super easy to make with only one-bowl needed!

The original recipe was taken from one of our favorites {the Pioneer Woman}. Nicole and I love all of her recipes… but as usual, we tend to make a few adaptations based on the ingredients we have on hand. Since my jam was very sweet… I cut back on the brown sugar. I also used half whole wheat flour and half white all-purpose to make it a tad bit healthier {hmm… not sure if that’s possible with all of that butter}!! Any way that you choose to do it… they are sure to come out delicious! Enjoy!  

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Banana Chocolate Muffins {Vegan}

October 21, 2012

Today is one of our favorite kinds of days….

a Fall Sunday, that is both crisp & cool.

Husby went off to work for the next two days.

The kids and I decided to stay in & have a pajama day!

A perfect, cozy day….

A wonderful time to bake up something delicious & wholesome!

Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Don’t let the “vegan” part scare you!

They are honestly delicious!

They just don’t have the usual eggs, which I am certain you won’t miss!

*************************

Miss Sophia Blue  {a.k.a. “Little Ina,” as I like to call her}

and I made some adjustments to the recipe.

All you need is:

* 1 cup of whole wheat flour

* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

* 1/2 cup brown sugar

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1/3 cup canola oil

* 4 ripe bananas

* 1/4 cup water

* 1 teaspoon vanilla

* 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

{I use the Trader Joe’s brand which is naturally vegan}

* 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped pecans {optional, but highly recommended!}

*************************

Perhaps, the best part!

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly grease your muffin tins.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, &  salt together.

In a large mixer, beat the sugar & oil together.

Add the mashed bananas.

Stir in the water & vanilla.

Mix thoroughly.

Add the flour mixture, along with the chocolate chips & optional nuts.

Stir to mix!

Fill each muffin tin halfway with batter.

Bake for 15-20 minutes {depending on your oven}.

* Note: I usually have extra batter. I use the excess to fill a mini loaf pan

& cook slightly longer.

*************************

{Drum Roll, please}

Here is a little piece of heaven!

Moist, chocolatey, & decadent….

The perfect Fall snack!

We hope you thoroughly enjoy every delicious bite!

{xo, sara}

{Original Recipe Via: The Joy of Vegan Baking}

Filed Under: Food

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About

bioSara and Nicole are sorority sisters that simply “happened” to end up in the same small town. They have many things in common, which have set the tone of their blog. They hope that you will join them in their journey of motherhood, dreams that may be, the daily life, and their passion for cooking, yoga, fashion, and design!

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