sweets 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

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Treats

June 14, 2015

Happiest birthday wishes to my sweet friend and co-author, Nicole! This delicious treat comes at the perfect time to celebrate YOU and all of your grandness! I am so thankful for our friendship and look forward to all that is to come in our much adored space here on Simply! I love you, my friend!!! Thanks for all that you do! xoxo, Sara

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Treats //

Sometimes… you just need a treat. Something that is going to satisfy that CHOCOLATE craving! Am I right? I’ve found it’s far better to give into it, rather than fight the urge for that ‘little something!’ A few bites of dark chocolate always seems to do the trick (plus… it’s a superfood, filled with healthy antioxidants)! That’s why I decided to make a batch of homemade dark chocolate with roasted almonds, coconut + sea salt. It includes some of my favorite flavorful ingredients. It’s texture is smooth and creamy while each bite packs a powerfully intense dark chocolatey taste! Roasted almonds, unsweetened coconut, and a touch of sea salt add a welcomed crunch to the already fabulous chocolate bar! This chocolate dream is simple to make and is a wholesome treat that your whole family will enjoy! Although I started out making this as a ‘mama treat’… my children also have a love of the deep flavors in dark chocolate. They enjoyed helping me make this delightful creation… and begged for “just one more piece!” (I’m positive yours will too!)

INGREDIENTS //

7 ounces of your favorite (good quality) dark chocolate (I used Lindt 70% cocoa), roughly chopped
1/4 cup sliced roasted almonds*
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes or shreds
1 teaspoon sea salt

*I roasted raw almonds. To do this, follow these simple directions here.

METHOD //

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Bring a medium-sized pot of water to boil, then lower the heat to a simmer.
Put the chocolate in a glass or stainless steel bowl and set it over the pot of water.
Stir the chocolate until it is completed melted.
Pour immediately onto the prepared cookie sheet (spreading the chocolate out, if necessary, using a spatula).
Evenly sprinkle the melted chocolate with your toppings: almond slices, unsweetened coconut flakes and sprinkling of sea salt.*
Put the cookie sheet in the freezer to set for approximately 15 minutes.
Break the chocolate into pieces.
Eat immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

*Additional toppings you could incorporate: chopped bits of dried fruit, seeds (chia seeds/pumpkin seeds), spicy red chili flakes, and/or other chopped nuts.

(Original recipe from It’s All Good cookbook written by Gwyneth Paltrow.)

Vanilla Bean Scones

February 6, 2015

Vanilla Bean Scones //

My kids and I love the little Vanilla Bean Scones at Starbucks. Unfortunately, we don’t get them too often, because they tend to run out early in the day. They’re delicious (and clearly we aren’t the only ones who think so)!

Having never made scones before, I decided to search for a ‘copycat’ recipe online. Lucky for me, I came across one that The Pioneer Woman posted some time ago. I wouldn’t describe the recipe as quick and easy, friends… rather, I think it’s a bit labor intensive. (Sort of like the work involved in making homemade sugar cookies, cutting them out, frosting them, etc.) There’s lots of love that goes into creating these little gems, but it makes them absolutely irresistible!

I’m sort of at a loss for words in describing them, but in my (“expert” of all-things-sweet) opinion, they’re the perfect flakey scone texture! The glaze compliments the slightly sweet biscuit, sealing in the moisture. However, the star of the scone is definitely the vanilla bean! Did you know that there are usually 25,000 tiny vanilla seeds in one scraped vanilla bean pod? Amazing! Well, all of those mini flecks add the most intense flavor! [Read more…]

Chocolate Almond Oat Bars

November 11, 2014

:: Chocolate Almond Oat Bars ::

{no-bake + gluten-free}

Let’s talk about these chocolate bars! I’ve been trying to cut back on processed sugars over the past year {ok… several years!} It’s not always easy, since I’m the busy mama of four, have a crazy love of baking, and have a total sweet tooth! These days, I try to sweeten the treats I make using raw honey, when I can. I feel so great when I’m able to offer my kids a wholesome, homemade treat using fine, simple ingredients. These Chocolate Almond Oat Bars are just that.

[Read more…]

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

July 1, 2014

:: Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes ::

Well hello, friends! Happy 4th of July week! We have another heavenly cupcake recipe for you today… simply perfect for a celebration or date night at home! The cupcakes have a baked graham cracker crust, decadent vanilla cake with chunks of fresh strawberries, and an incredibly rich cream cheese frosting! Together, it creates the most divine Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes! Enjoy!

[Read more…]

Peach and Toasted Pecan Ice Cream

June 20, 2014

:: Peach and Toasted Pecan Ice Cream ::

I recently sat down and reminisced about my favorite 4th of July celebrations over the years. They were spent at my Aunt Jean’s house in Fullerton. She had the most beautiful Spanish style house, with a big backyard, and dreamy swimming pool. She invited everyone! Her yard was always packed full of close friends and family. After dark… we would crowd the usually quiet street in front of her house {which was situated on a hill}, and watch the local firework show.

Looking back, I have the fondest… most cherished memories of the 4th of July because of my sweet Aunt Jean and the wonderful annual gathering she created! The conversation was always delightful, the pool nice and cool, and the food… absolutely scrumptious! Of course, the homemade ice cream {that seemed to take forever to churn by hand}, was always my favorite!

Fresh peach ice cream seemed to be a tradition at her 4th of July celebrations, which is why I decided to make my own version to share with my family! I’m hoping to carry-on the lovely homemade ice cream tradition to celebrate Independence Day this year… and in the many years to come!

[Read more…]