Christmas Crazy: Take Three

Alexis is going to have a very good Christmas. A very, very good Christmas, actually. More on that another day, but yeah. SPOILED. SHE IS. MUCHLY.

The poor girl who still lives in my heart is sort of kerfluffled about that fact, to be honest. I'm about 45% proud that we've reached the point in our lives where spoiling can happen. If I stop and think about that, it really amazes me how far the husband and I have come in a relatively short time. Then there's the 45% of me that is all, "OH, HELL NO. No five-year old needs that much stuff!" which is pretty much what I think every single time I walk into her playroom. No matter how on sale all of those toys were, it still all adds up. The kid has far more stuff than she needs. FAR TOO MUCH.

But the spoiling is still going to happen.

Which makes the other 10% of me angry. Who do we think we are? Shouldn't we be feeding poverty-stricken kids in Africa with that money instead of letting Alexis get yet another Barbie? Really, it's a very first-world sort of problem to have.

Except that there are many people who live in first-world countries who are unable to make sure that their kids have any sort of joy on Christmas morning. Whether it's because they are trying to escape a violent situation, because of a job loss, because of medical bills, or whatever, sometimes parents are left without the privilege of playing Santa for a day.

And THAT sucks.

But you can help. Yes. Really. YOU.

It's Christmas Crazy time, y'all.

Christmas Crazy, now in it's third year, is a fundraising effort driven by the readers of this site. Not me. YOU. You guys are the ones who have made it possible to raise over $10,000 in two years for children in need. In the past, Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center (a domestic violence agency near Pittsburgh), Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, and Toys for Tots have all benefited. This year, we're going even further.

But first we need to get things off the ground. So, this is the part where I tell you to click the little image below and toss in a buck or two or ten. It doesn't matter what the amount is, it all adds up. Just look at what you guys managed to do last year.

Amazing, no?

It all happened thanks to generous people like you.

 I love you guys. And I love Christmas Crazy. Let's do this!

Peanut Butter Snickers Cookies

It is officially that time of year. Alexis is sick of her Halloween candy. The thing is, I don't want it either. I'm ready to launch myself head first into all things Christmas. Bring on the fudge! And the peanut brittle! And the cookies! Not even a Snickers could get my attention at this point.

Unless that Snickers found its way into a cookie, that is.

Which is exactly what happened. I scoured the internet for a few new ideas for how to use the Halloween candy while baking and came across a recipe for Peanut Butter Snickers Cookies. Can I get a HELLO! for Brown Eyed Baker for posting the recipe? She might deserve ten. And a pony. And possibly a unicorn.

Which is all to say these are good. Very good.

Peanut Butter Snickers Cookies

1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon milk
1 1/2 cups chopped Snickers
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a couple of cookie sheets with parchment paper. (You should probably trust me when I say the parchment paper is ABSOLUTELY a required step for these cookies. Just don't ask me how I know that. Ahem.)

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, mix the butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar at low speed until fluffy. Add the egg and mix again. Add the vanilla and milk and mix again. Add the dry ingredients and mix, mix, mix until everything is all mixed up. The dough will be almost "crumbly" but will form a ball if you squish some of it in your hand.

Gently stir the chopped Snickers and chocolate chips into the cookie dough.

I was on a mission to get three dozen cookies out of this recipe, so I dropped the dough by rounded teaspoon onto a cookie sheet. Roll the little dough heaps between your hands to make a ball and then squish them down onto the lined cookie sheet with the palm of your hand. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Once they are done baking, allow them to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet. Transfer to a cooling rack once they have cooled to the point that they aren't gooey.

Try eating them warm. Fall over with happiness.

Then throw some in the freezer and try eating them cold. Once again, fall over from happiness.

Then try dunking a few in milk. And, of course, fall over from happiness.

These might just be the happiest cookies ever.

Your Worst Nightmare, Indeed