semihomemade – The Pajama Chef

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

February 24, 2014February 23, 2014 Sarah

My sister made these AWESOME cookie bars for our family this Valentine’s Day, along with some red velvet brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Aren’t they cute? They taste just as good as they look, so after my first bite I asked Kathleen for the recipe and made them on Friday. I think it just might become a new Friday tradition.

Strawberries and chocolate are a classic combo–one of my faves [the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Blizzard is my go-to at DQ], so it was no surprise that I loved these cookie bars. I’m usually a homemade-only kinda baker/chef, as you know, but the use of strawberry cake mix is absolutely essential in these cookie bars. I’m sure you can make a good strawberry cake somehow, but all my tries at the homemade variety have been flops. And let’s face it–the store bought box is so easy and so delicious. I served these uber pink bars for a church small group game night, and everyone loved them. Fortunately there were a few leftover so I could snap a quick photo for you! 🙂

I know that I’ll definitely be looking for any excuse to make these pretty pink cookie bars in the future. A little girl’s birthday party [or a big girl’s…:)], Valentine’s Day, or just an average Friday are just three of the instances that come to mind. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! So happy my sister decided to share them with us. You should definitely check out her blog cause it’s pretty fab. 🙂

one year ago: Asian Peanut Veggie Dip
two years ago: Spicy Sausage, Chicken, & Bean Stew
three years ago: Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars [adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction and my Funfetti Cookies]
click to print

Ingredients:

1 box strawberry cake mix [Pillsbury 15.25 ounces OR Duncan Hines 18.25 ounces]
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup canola oil [for Pillsbury] or 1/3 cup canola oil [for Duncan Hines]
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix and baking powder. In a measuring cup, whisk together oil, eggs, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then fold in chocolate chips. Dough will be oily and very thick.

Press dough into prepared pan, then bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool before cutting into bars.

Time: 30 minutes.
Yield: 16 servings.

Cookies, Desserts, Recipes

Funfetti Cookies

October 16, 2013October 15, 2013 Sarah

I debated sharing this ‘recipe’ because it’s basically a four ingredient dessert that’s semi-homemade and has been done over and over and over again on the internets. But then I decided this is my blog, I like these cookies, and I just wanted to blog about them! 🙂 Haha. Anyways, Funfetti Cookies probably don’t need much of an explanation, but humor me, will you?

These cookies are super simple because you make them with cake mix [and some eggs and oil], and then frost them with frosting from a can! Definitely not gourmet, but definitely delicious and crave-worthy. They combine everything I love in a good cookie. They are soft and sweet, are iced, AND have sprinkles. What’s not to like? Sprinkles just makes everything better, I think! Don’t you agree? 🙂 The sprinkles are just my favorite part of these cookies. I know I can make homemade funfetti cake mix and then make super soft cookies from scratch, but sometimes a box is necessary on busy days when you don’t want to experiment and just want to go with the tried and true.

Additionally, I know I have friends who are scared to cook [and maybe you do too, or maybe this is you]. Well, these semi-homemade recipes are great for them because then they see that they can just combine a few ingredients and make something at home that’s just as tasty as storebought. Then next time, they can make something from scratch. Baby steps! No shame in starting off easy… or indulging in ‘easy’ once and awhile. These cookies are just perfect for that! Enjoy!

one year ago: Chicken Enchiladas with Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce
two years ago: Pumpkin Brownies
three years ago: Twice Baked Apple Crisp for Two

Funfetti Cookies [from Pillsbury]
click to print

Ingredients:

1 package [15.25 ounce] Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix
1/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 can [15.6 ounces] Pillsbury Funfetti Frosting [you won’t need it all]
extra sprinkles, optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, stir together dry cake mix, oil, and eggs. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, then place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart.

Flatten slightly with the bottom of a drinking glass, then bake for 6-8 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Centers should appear set.

Cool for a couple minutes on the cookie sheets, then remove to cooling racks. Immediately frost warm cookies, then top with included sprinkles [and more from your collection if you’d like!] Let frosting and cookies cool completely before storing.

Time: 30 minutes.

Yield: 3-4 dozen cookies.