Spring Chocolate Chip Cookies

I had fun with my cookie recipe and cut shapes with cookie cutters after the cookie dough was baked. I followed the same cookie recipe that I always use for regular cookies. But instead of balling the dough, I flatted it into 2 rectangle 1 inch think sections on a cookie tray. I then baked it for about 20-25 minutes (until golden brown) and then cut out the shapes after it was baked.

Here is the cookie recipe I use. I LOVE it! I got it from a friend from church and will always use this one from here on out. The cookies stay a nice shape and do not flatten as they bake.

Ingredients:
- 2 sticks of butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1 package of chocolate chips (for this recipe I used the spring time variety from Toll House)

Directions
- Soften butter and mix with sugar, until smooth
- Add eggs and vanilla and mix well
- Combine dry ingredients together and mix into wet sugar mixture
- Fold in chocolate chips into the dough
- Bake at 375 for 8 minutes (for regular cookies)
- Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes cookie sheets to make shapes

Once mostly cooled, use a cookie cutter and cut out your desired shapes.

Grandma's Shrimp Dip

Seriously the best appetizer you will ever make for your next party! This is a family favorite that we have every year around the holidays. I hope you and your family enjoy the recipe as much as we do!

Ingredients:

·         8 oz. Cream Cheese

·         ¼ cup Mayonnaise
·         ½ tsp. Seasoned salt
·         1 ½ tbsp. Minced Onion
·         Dash of Garlic Powder
·         6 oz. Small frozen shrimp (drained)
·         Cocktail Sauce

Directions:

·         Mix first 5 ingredients together and spread on serving plate and refrigerate until ready to serve.

·         Spread cocktail sauce over cream cheese mixture; add shrimp over the top right before serving.
·         Serve with crackers

Jalapeno Popper Pizzas

This has always been a favorite appetizer when I have made them. I sold pampered chef a few years back and got some really delicious recipes! This is one of them! 


Ingredients:

· 1 pkg. (11 oz.) refrigerated thin crust pizza dough
· 4 slices of bacon (chopped)
· 1 small red bell pepper (1/2 cup finely diced)
· 2 jalapeno peppers (or one for a milder version)
· 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
· 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· 1 cup corn chips, crushed (about ½ cup crushed chips)


Directions:

· Preheat oven to 425 degrees
· Cut pizza dough (without unrolling) into 24 round disks
· Place disks on large stone pan and press to flatten and seal the seams
· Bake 11-13 minutes or until golden brown
· Meanwhile, slice bacon and cook in sauté pan over medium high heat until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towel.
· In the bacon drippings cook bell pepper and jalapenos until tender (2-3 minutes)
· Combine cream cheese, ½ cup of cheddar cheese, peppers, and bacon in mixing bowl.
· Spoon and divide cream cheese mixture over the cooked pizza disks
· Sprinkle with remaining cheese and corn chips
· Bake 4-6 minutes or until cheese is melted and crusts are golden brown
· Remove from pan and serve

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach and Artichoke Dip 

Ingredients:

-          1 package of frozen spinach

-          ½ can of artichoke hearts (chopped)

-          Minced Garlic

-          2 Tbsp. Butter (to cook the spinach and artichokes)

-          Salt

-          Pepper

-          Onion Powder

-          A little red pepper to spice it up 

-          1 16 oz. container of Sour Cream

-          1 8 oz. package of Cream Cheese

-          Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1) Thaw spinach and chop up artichokes

2) Over medium-high heat cook spinach and artichokes in butter

3) Mix in a spoon full of garlic

4) Add Seasonings to taste (salt, pepper, red pepper, and onion powder)

5) Once cooked Turn heat to Medium and add sour cream and Cream Cheese

6) Stir until melted

7) Add Parmesan Cheese to taste (a good ½ cup or so)  

8) Serve warm with crackers, bread, or veggies