Sunnys Cereal Confetti Cookies Food

SUNNY'S HOLIDAY PB AND J THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar, and blend on medium-high speed until creamy. Turn off the mixer and use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl, pushing everything back towards the center. Then add the salt, vanilla and egg, and blend until combined. Lower the speed of the mixer and add the flour in 1/2-cup intervals. Between each addition be sure to completely blend in all the flour and scrape the sides as before. Once completely combined, scrape the dough out of the mixer, add to a container with a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator and, using a tablespoon, scoop out the dough and roll into a ball between your hands. Then roll the formed ball in the turbinado sugar and place on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat for the rest of the balls, making sure to separate them on the sheet by about 1 inch. Try chopping roasted peanuts and adding them to the sugar before rolling out all the balls or add a drop of food coloring to the sugar to make the cookies even more festive!
• Once all the balls are on the baking sheet, make an indentation in the center of each using the rounded end of a wooden spoon, the back of a rounded teaspoon or your good old-fashioned thumb. Fill the center of each with about 1/2 teaspoon strawberry preserves. Bake until lightly golden, about 12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack. Let cool before serving.

CONFETTI CUPS

Steps:

• For the confetti cups: Line each cup of a 12-cup muffin pan with a cupcake liner.
• Process 15 of the vanilla sandwich cookies into crumbs in a food processor. Add the melted butter, then mix to combine. Press the crumbs into the cupcake liners. Set aside.
• Crush the remaining 4 vanilla sandwich cookies into chunks. Mix the softened ice cream with the crushed vanilla cookies and sprinkles in a bowl. Spoon into the cupcake liners.
• For the toppings: Press the rainbow sprinkles and chocolate shavings into the top of each cup. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Remove the confetti cups from the muffin pan (leaving on the cupcake liners) and place in a single layer in resealable bags or other airtight containers.
• To serve, peel off the liners and place each one on a plate. Top with sweetened whipped cream if you'd like. You can also just serve them in the liners.

SUNNY'S CEREAL TRAIL MIX

Steps:

• In a large pan on medium heat, add the peanuts, butter, jelly and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, tossing and stirring to coat, until the peanuts are coated and warm throughout, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the cereal and pretzels to the pan. Toss and transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined baking sheet or the counter. Sprinkle over the peanut candies and let cool. Toss again when cool and serve at room temperature.

SUNNY'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a stand mixer or large bowl using a hand mixer, blend the butter, both sugars, vanilla and eggs. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture and blend until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, coconut and pecans.
• Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, 12 cookies per sheet, and bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.