Ninjabread Cookies

I admit, this is not an original recipe, but it was a lot of fun to do. I got the cookie cutters at Target.

Serves: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Supplies:
-Ninja cookie cutters
-cookie dough (I bought sugar and chocolate chip pre-made rolls)
-sugar
-white frosting
-food coloring
-icing (desired colors)

1. Place cookie dough roll on a plate.

2. Sprinkle flour on your table or countertop, and roll out a good sized piece of dough from the roll (big enough to cut out the cookie). I did this by hand, but you can use a rolling pin for a flatter finish.

3. Push the cookie cutter firmly down into the dough. Remove the excess edges and set aside.

4. Sprinkle sugar on top of sugar cookie.

5. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Place each cookie on the sheet, leaving generous space between each.

6. Follow baking directions on cookie package (mine baked for 10-12 minutes). Here was the result:

OH MY GOD! They became sumo wrestlers in the oven! What happened? ALL of the cookies came out this way. With some quick thinking, and while the cookies were still warm, we re-cut the cookies a second time.

They were a little rough around the edges, but aren't all ninjas?

7. Allow cookies to cool at least 20 minutes. Separate frosting out into bowls. Add food coloring to each bowl to get desired colors.

8. Frost each cookie, and decorate with icing.

What are the most fun cookies YOU have ever made?

Martha Stewart's Peanut Butter Cookies

Hello ladies and gentleman! Welcome to my Food Feature Blog (FFB). You will see many more of these as we go along on our gastronomical journey. Today's FFB is starring two wonderful friends of mine, Brent and Aaron. The recipe is courtesy of Martha Stewart!

Brent and Aaron

A very special thank you to them for sharing this great recipe, and for also helping the creative process as well. Six hands are better than two, after all, especially when photography in the kitchen is involved!

Serves: 12
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 18-20 minutes

Ingredients:
-8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
-3/4 cup smooth/crunchy peanut butter (we used crunchy!)
-1/2 cup granulated sugar
-1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
-1 large egg
-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
-1 cup all-purpose flour
-3/4 teaspoon baking soda
-Extra sugar for topping
-Hershey's kisses

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. In a bowl mix butter, peanut butter, and both sugars together until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until well combined.

3. In another medium mixing bowl, mix flour and baking soda together. Add to the butter mixture, and beat until well mixed.

4. Scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough, shape into a ball, and place on one of the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.

5. Add some sugar to a separate bowl. Take a drinking glass and dip the bottom part of it into the sugar. Then press on one of the cookie balls to add a sugary topping. Repeat until all cookies are flattened and sugar-coated.

6. Transfer to the oven, and bake until golden brown, approx. 18-20 minutes.

7. Unwrap a Hershey's kiss, and press it into the middle of the cookie after it is out of the oven, and before the cookie cools.

Enjoy! These cookies are really delish, especially when accompanied by a nice tall, icy cold glass of milk (I am from the dairy state, what did you expect?) Mmmmm!

Epic Chocolate Chip Cookies

I got this recipe courtesy of Tender Crumb. I altered it slightly, by using only regular flour, and using less chocolate chips (didn't have a big enough bowl for 2lbs!). Amazingly good!

Serves: Approx. 3 dozen large, or 7-8 dozen small
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
-1 tbsp vanilla
-1 tbsp salt
-1 lb butter
-6 cups and 1 tbsp flour
-4 eggs
-2 tsp baking powder
-2 tsp baking soda
-1 lb semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 3/4 cups of granulated sugar
-2 1/4 cups of light brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Combine the sugar, brown sugar, and butter well.

3. Mix in the eggs next until well blended. I didn't have a blender, so this took a looooong time. Hey, it's on the wishlist.

4. Mix in the vanilla, salt, baking powder and soda, flour, and chocolate chips until well blended.

5. Form dough into round balls (As a note: If you make them smaller, you will come out with about 8 dozen...just sayin.' I made larger ones and got 3 dozen out of the batch). Line a pan with parchment paper. Spread out rounded dough evenly on cookie sheet.

6. Bake for 20 minutes, until edges are golden brown.

These cookies turned out really amazing. Hands down the best I have ever made myself. And man, they sure didn't last long!