No Bake Christmas Cookies

Today I spent some time making two of my favorite Christmas cookies. I love them because they don't take long to make so they are great for lazy people like myself. If only there were people who would clean up the mess as well. 


The first type is called Stained Glass Cookies. I remember having these as a kid at my Grandmother's cousin's house and for about 15 years I tried to figure out how to make them. Luckily, a coworker named Julie found this recipe online and shared it with me. I recently encountered my Grandmother's cousin and told her about these cookies she made and how much I loved them and tried to find the recipe for so long. She had no idea what I was talking about.

Stained Glass Cookies

Ingredients:


1. 1 Package (10.5 ounces) Mini Marshmallows (Colored is preferred)
2. I Package (12 ounces) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
3. 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
4. 1 Stick of Butter or 1/2 Cup of Butter (or Margarine)


Directions


1. Place Butter and Chocolate Chips in a large bowl and microwave on high for 45 seconds. 
2. Stir and return to microwave for 20 more seconds. Stir again. Repeat this step until chocolate and butter are melted.
3. Add in Vanilla Extract and stir until well blended.
4. Let sit for ten minutes so the chocolate is cool and will not melt the marshmallows.
5. Add in marshmallows and stir until the entire package is well coated.
6. Roll out at least 2ft of Aluminum foil and pour mixture onto the foil. Stretch dough out into a 1 1/2 ft-2ft log.
7. You may coat the mixture with coconut or chopped nuts if you desire.
8. Wrap up tightly. Twist the ends to seal. Refrigerate for at least two hours and then cut into 1/3 inch slices.


The next recipe I got from the Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook. I love peanut butter so this easy to make No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares seemed perfect. I'm too lazy to type in the recipe from this cookbook but I found a really great one that someone else typed in. This is from the indecisivebaker.blogspot.com. I really love that name because I am indecisive. Also her name is Rebecca too. Coolest lady ever.

No Bake Peanut Butter Treats 

(adapted from busy-at-home.com)

Ingredients:
* 1 cups butter, melted
* 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
* 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 1 lb. powdered sugar
* 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
*2 Tablespoons dark chocolate chips
Directions:
Crush graham crackers into crumbs- get out some pent up frustration.(or buy crumbs if you’re feeling ‘zen’)

Melt butter in microwave safe bowl.

Add peanut butter, powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs to butter and mix well. It will form a soft, moist dough. I used my Kitchen Aid for this - and it was a dream. If you feel like a work out - use a bowl and spoon.

Press the dough into a lightly greased 9x13 parchment lined pan (I LOVE parchment)

In another microwave safe container, melt the semi sweet chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until they are completely melted and spreadable.

Spread on top of the peanut butter mixture till smooth. Melt dark chunks in the similar fashion and drizzle on top of the semi sweet. IF you want pretty little bars- score the chocolate now, for easy, no breakage cutting later.

OR (what I would have done if I were thinking clearly about it) use candy molds or mini silicone cupcake molds. They would be utterly adorable and no cutting to worry about.

However you do it, after done spreading chocolate refrigerate until chocolate is set!