chocolate chips Archives - Simply Happenstance

Snowball Cookies

December 13, 2015

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!

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!

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!

TIPS //

Use only real butter for best cookie results! You won’t be sorry!
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.
Before serving, you can give an additional roll in powdered sugar to make them look freshly dipped in snow (wink, wink)!
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.

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

Cook Time7

Total Time17

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

Protein Packed Energy Bites

April 28, 2015

Protein Packed Energy Bites //

There are few things I enjoy more than whipping up something delicious for my four little ones. I love knowing the ingredients that go into the foods that nourish their bodies. I also love the sweet smiles on their cute little faces when they bite into homemade treats!

This recipe is a simple one that the kids can even help with. With only a handful of healthful ingredients — this snack can be made in minutes. Their little hands are perfect for rolling the (no-bake) mixture into bite-sized balls.

I must admit, once you take your first bite, you may feel a little guilty! It’s sort of like eating a ball of cookie dough… only this time, you don’t have to sneak it!

Oatmeal, flaxseed, chia seeds, natural peanut butter, unsweetened coconut, raw honey, and chocolate chips make up the ingredients. The kids will have no idea that you are really filling up their bellies with protein-packed energy food!

These energy bites are great served as part of breakfast, packed in school lunches, eaten as an afternoon snack, prepared for upcoming road trips, for a fun day hiking, or an outing to the beach. (In fact, these little goodies will be accompanying my little girl on her field trip today!)

There are so many ways that you can customize these energy balls to make them your own! Try adding nuts, pretzels pieces, dried fruit, white chocolate, peanut butter chips, and/or endless other ingredients! (Just make sure to add enough nut butter and honey to bind it all together.) Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Protein Packed Energy Bites

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Healthy Snack

Servings: 20 -25

Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

1 cup dry oatmeal
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/3 cup raw honey
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1/2 hour.
Once chilled, roll into balls (I used a 1" cookie scoop to make mine bite-sized for the kids). If the mixture isn't forming/staying in a ball, simply add a bit more honey to bind it all together.
Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe adapted from: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/

Breakfast Power Bowl

March 31, 2015

Gluten-Free // Breakfast Power Bowl

Breakfast… it’s hands-down, my favorite meal of the day. I honestly wake up each morning, excited for my cup of coffee and ready to eat! I typically start my day with a healthy protein shake or smoothie. However, if I have a little more time, or if it’s the weekend, I get a bit more creative. Thank goodness for those days! They’re truly my favorite!

This satisfying dish is one you can whip up the night before. (Sure… that takes a little more planning, but some days just call for a special morning treat!) If you are already having quinoa for dinner… make a little extra! When the kids go off to bed, add some chia seeds and almond milk to it, give it a stir, and place it in the refrigerator until morning. Simple, right?

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread With Brown Sugar Crumble

October 9, 2014

:: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread With Brown Sugar Crumble ::

I think from the start of September until the end of December, pumpkin anything is a favorite to cook or bake with. This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread with Brown Sugar Crumble was made out of the combination a Chocolate Chip Bread recipe, married with the topping from our Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble. Sounds like the perfect little family combined into one! This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip with Brown Sugar Crumble smells like everything I love about fall. The mixture of applesauce, bananas, pumpkin, and chocolate chips make the house smell heavenly. I especially loved my slice dipped in warm coffee! [Read more…]

Chewy Monster Cookies

September 12, 2014

:: Chewy Monster Cookies ::

Did you ever daydream, as a kid, about the kind of parent you wanted to be? Clearly my thoughts weren’t too deep, as I remember wanting to be the type of mom that had fresh baked cookies waiting on the table for my kids when they arrived home from school. Ha! Since I have been blessed with four little ones, I try to make that happen on occasion. After all, what is better than walking into a home filled with smells of warm, chocolatey cookies?!

I’ve never met a kid that doesn’t love m&m’s! My children are completely drawn to the colorful candies, when we pass them in the store! The combination of chocolate with peanut butter is always a good mix… making these Monster cookies the ultimate kid treat! [Read more…]

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

August 7, 2014

:: Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches ::

Oh, how I’ve longed for an evening to sit down and write a post for Simply! The last few weeks have been consumed with our move… so I have been looking forward to a little creative down time!

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

Today, I decided the kids could use a special treat! They’ve been such troopers living amongst boxes the past week… and doing without their favorite belongings, which are currently sitting in our over-stuffed garage. I wanted to make them something completely delicious, but didn’t have an abundance of resources to work with {if only you could see the state of my kitchen}!

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches-18

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