Clipper Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies have always been my all time favorite. My  mom used to make them every summer when we would go to Cedar Island.  The name "Clipper" comes from a cruise line, which would serve these cookies, warm out of the oven, every day at tea time. Pretty cute.

2 sticks of butter, room temperature

3/4 cup of sugar

3/4 cup of  packed light brown sugar

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 tbsp. Kahlua

1 tbsp. Frangelico

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

24 oz. of semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup of walnut halves, chopped

1/2 cup of pecan halves, chopped

Preheat oven to 325. Combine all ingredients and stir until consistent. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet in 1/4 cup scoops. Bake for 16 minutes.  This recipe made me about 50 cookies.

**I used Bourbon Vanilla Extract in this batch

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Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

This pie is one of my all time favorites. I used to request this instead of birthday cake as a child. My girlfriends and I devoured this at Supper Club last week.  We may, or may not, have eaten two slices each.  The original recipe for this is posted in my family's cookbook. It honestly can't get much better than this. And the recipe makes 2 pies!!

You will need:

One bag of semisweet chocolate chips

One bag of chopped pecans

3 tbsp of your favorite bourbon

1 stick of butter

1 cup of light corn syrup

1 cup of sugar

4 eggs

Two aluminum 9 inch pie pans

One package of pie crust (in the refrigerator section, contains two crusts)

Stir together the first seven ingredients in a large bowl, stirring after each addition.  Line the pie pan with the crust and pour in the mixture evenly so both pies get the same amount. Bake on 400 for 45 minutes or until pie is set. Top with your favorite whipped cream!

 **Ladies, you might find that this a wonderful thing to make once a month....

Oreo Truffles

I didn't indulge in any sweets over Easter, so I decided to make my own post-Easter treats. Plus, I'm on Spring Break and wanted something to do. This was messier than I expected. I think little kids would love to help participate in this one!

You will need:

About 10 Oreo cookies

8oz Cream Cheese

White Chocolate Chips

Milk Chocolate Chips

Canola Oil

Assorted Sprinkles

In a food processor or blender, chop up the Oreo cookies. In a separate bowl, soften the cream cheese in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Mix in the chopped cookies and stir until it's a consistent grey mixture. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about an hour to solidify the mixture. Once cooled, shape the mixture into teaspoon size balls and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Place the balls in the freezer while completing the next step. Melt the chocolate in two separate bowls, one for white and one for the milk chocolate.  I added a few splashes of Canola Oil in with the chocolate to even out the consistency. Take the balls out of the freezer. Put a ball on a fork and with your other hand, spoon the melted chocolate over the balls until they look cute (this took me a while to perfect). Return to the lined cookie sheet and add your favorite sprinkles or topping. Once all your Oreo balls are covered, return to the refrigerator or freezer until the chocolate has hardened. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Makes about 30 truffles. 

**This is a great dessert for any occasion. By melting different colored chocolates and adding different sprinkles and toppings, the possibilities are endless!! I'm considering making these again for my sister's graduation from East Carolina University. Purple chocolate and yellow sprinkles, or visa versa!!

Stella and Dot Party!!

Last night I hosted a Stella and Dot jewelry party with the amazing Tamy Medalis!! She puts such an unique and personal spin on the party with "props" including vintage suitcases and cameras, beautiful display frames, and vases of flowers. Her set up is incredible, I absolutely love how she incorporates the vintage suitcases in her display. Stella and Dot is a jewelry brand that sells the goodies online and through home shows. Jewelry ranges from about $30 to $200.  Tamy is a "Stylist" for the company, meaning she comes to your home, displays the beautiful jewelry, and takes all the orders. Hostess perks are the best! A percentage of the total sales goes to the hostess in FREE jewelry, and she will also receive a certain amount of items at 50% off. So far I am up to nearly $300 in FREE goods, and that amount is still rising. Here are a few pictures from the party:

Hostess with the Mostess

Here are some hostessy things that I incorporated into the party!

I purchased Sparkling Lemonade from Trader Joe's. The bottles are too cute!! This picture was taken before I added ice and wine. I also served Jello Shooters!! 

Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites

Here's what you need:

8oz cream cheese, softened in the microwave

1 can or jar of artichoke hearts, chopped

1 cup chopped spinach

a dollop of sour cream

a dollop of mayo

garlic salt

chili powder

shredded mozzarella cheese

2 packages of Filo Cups

Mix the first seven ingredients together in a bowl. Add a handful of mozzarella cheese and mix it all together. Scoop a small spoonful of the mixture into each filo cup and top with a small amount of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 minutes on 350 degrees. Then broil on low for a few minutes to add the golden brown top. Makes 30 cups. I baked the remaining mixture in a small casserole dish and served with multigrain crackers.  These were a HUGE hit! I should have made more.

Strawberry/Angel Food Cake Skewers

One container of strawberries

one small angel food cake (mine was made with Splenda)

20 wooden skewers

Cool Whip

Wash the strawberries and cut each one in half. Cut the cake into small one inch cubes.  Add the strawberries and cake to the skewers, alternating the pattern so they look pretty. Serve with a small bowl of Cool Whip.

**Optional: Drizzle chocolate sauce over the strawberry skewers before serving.

Thank you Tamy for such an amazing night!!!