Oatmeal Cookies

I've been craving oatmeal cookies lately.  Must be the dusting of snow on the ground and the freezing cold wind outside!  These made the house smell wonderful and chased away the chill of the day.

Oatmeal Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup nuts or raisins
• 3 1/4 cups rolled oats

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Cream butter and sugars.  Add in eggs and vanilla.  Beat well.
*Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl.  Beat into wet ingredients.
*Stir in nuts/raisins and oats.
*Drop by the tablespoon on greased cookie sheets or parchment paper.
*Bake for 12 to 18 minutes depending on if you like your cookies soft or crispy.

These cookies are quite sweet.  I'm going to experiment with decreasing the sugar next time I make them.  I'll update the recipe if I make any changes.  I made them with no nuts or raisins and they are a very good basic cookie.  The kids loved them.

Enjoy!
-C :)

Lemon Cheesecake Bars

These creamy bars combine two of my favorite things - tangy lemon and cheesecake.  They are really easy to make but taste like they required hard work.  I have to refrain from making these every week.  I'd like to but my hips wouldn't appreciate it!!

Photo by me.

Lemon Cheesecake Bars
(recipe from allrecipes.com)

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed

*Whisk flour and sugar together.  Cut in butter.  Press into a 9x13 pan that has been greased.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes.

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

*Whisk together.  Pour over baked crust.  Skim off bubbles.

• 2 (8oz) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten

*Mix cream cheese and sugar.  Whisk in eggs.  Spread over lemon mixture.
*Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until filling is set.  The lemon layers will separate as it bakes.

I make half the recipe in an 8x8 inch pan.  I also use light cream cheese.

Enjoy!
-C :)