"Knock-Off" Subway Inspired Sugar Cookies: A Recipe

Okay, y'all!

These cookies have a story behind them.

 

I bake all. the. time.

And when I say that, what I really mean is once a week.

I bake cookies every single week.

 

Harbor eats them.

David eats them.

I eat them.

Another person who also eats them is me.

{you get the picture!}

: )

 

And I'm always trying new recipes.

So, when I made these sugar cookies, and David held up his hand and said,

"No more recipes. THIS is it. These are the ones!"

I made a mental note of it.

And he is 100% right.

 

We've nicknamed them:

"The Subway cookies"

Because they taste like Subway's cookies.

And that is a pretty big statement.

 

Let me share them with you.

I'll bet you agree.

: )

 

 

The recipe looks simple.

 

And it is. But the taste is anything but.

 

You will need:

2 3/4 cup white all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup butter, left out and softened at room temperature for about 30 min {important!}

1 1/2 cups of white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

 

You don't have to have a fancy-pants mixer to make these work-

hand-held or wooden spoon will work, too.

: )

 

Start by creaming your butter and sugar.

I think a big "secret" of this recipe is to soften the butter on the counter-

no microwave!

 

Then beat in your egg and vanilla.

 

Your dough will start to come together quickly.

 

Add your soda in first.

 

And then your powder

{note that they are different amounts!}

 

Blend those in one at a time.

 

Add your flour slowly, a half cup or so at a time.

 

And make sure it is thoroughly mixed.

 

It will start to become really thick and heavy.

 

And then you know it is done.

 

Try not to over mix.

Easier said than done. I know.

 

Use some type of scoop.

I use a cookie scoop, but a measuring spoon or small ice cream scoop will also work.

 

It is an important step:

the cookies will bake evenly and all be the same "doneness" if they are the same size.

 

Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet-

no grease and no foil!

 

Don't crowd them.

 

Make sure your oven is preheated to 375 degrees.

 

Pop them in.

 

I bake them one tray at a time.

And I never use the same tray twice.

I load my next batch on a cold tray.

 

Bake them only 8-10 minutes.

They will be white on top and a tiny bit golden on the sides.

If you find yourself looking at them and wondering if they are done,

then they are.

Take them out!

 

Hard cookies mean over baked cookies.

If you see "gold" anywhere on these sugar cookies, take them out.

 

They have the perfect texture:

a chewy crust on the outside and a soft, fluffy center.

 

Man, they are good.

 

They are a perfect sweet treat on the couch

 

or on the floor

{especially if you are on the run and hiding them from your family!}

 

They aren't too sweet, but just sweet enough.

 

And you don't even have to have a Subway sandwich before you eat one.

: )

 

Of {Fall} Mice and {little} Men

Howdy, friends. How are you? Things are going really well for us!   I keep telling David that we have a thief on our hands. Someone keeps stealing time from me! Everyday seems like Friday- and the week has been stolen away again.   David snapped this picture weeks ago after our first gymnastics practice. Have I already shared this picture? I honestly can't remember. It is such a reminder to me that it was a "first" day. And just like that, time passes on.   Henry is creeping up on 10 months. I can't believe it. I feel like I should still be pregnant, posing on our gorgeous Michigan staircase for monthly pictures.
He makes me so happy. I love seeing Harbor have a friend, a brother.    My kids have four years between them. So, Harbor is more like a mother hen most days. : )     Harbor is such a great help to me. I really mean that.   He picks up little toys Henry might swallow and puts them up high, out of reach. He entertains him while I cook and makes him smile when I want pictures.   These little guys will someday be men. I just can't envision it. But, I know it will come to pass.
Henry is into everything. He has learned to open the oven drawer.   And loves to sneak into the pantry and pull things off shelves.   Last Friday night, David treated me to a night off of cooking and made tacos. David loves to cook, too, so sometimes he comes home with the urge. And I let him have at it! Ha!   He made his usual homemade taco shells. His mom used to make these for every taco night. Sometimes it doesn't seem possible that both of his parents have passed away. His dad, this month, has been gone over 11 years. His mom was gone a year in September. David, at only 32, is far too young to have both his parents gone. It does create in him a deep, deep desire to parent and father our children intentionally. We both know time will pass and babes will grow up. It is a tremendous responsibility.
   Harbor will turn five this month! {I can't believe I just typed that!}
He is growing up.
And next to Henry it is so painfully obvious how "big" he really is.

I have to take most pictures being "sneaky" as he has his own ideas these days.

Here is a very real glimpse of a typical afternoon: Harbor, laughing, watching Angry Birds. Toys strewn across the house. Me, nursing Henry, feeling very thankful for the mess- and two kids who make them.   Don't you sometimes feel like you can see the future? I just always have the sense that these are the best days of my life.
  These are old pictures, but I'm behind in posting them. : )

 And, suddenly, big brother wants to be in the picture! Ha! My basement craft room is in full swing! Christmas cards galore! 200 have to be made in just a few weeks. Pictures have been taken, printed, card stock purchased, cut to size, and they are coming together so nicely!  {I love this time of year!} And lastly, when the mountains have snow on top.... the mice come in! : )  




If you're new to our blog, the "mice" tradition has been going strong for three years now. I put them out at night when the kids are asleep- and catch their reactions when they wake.   They just never know when the mice will come in! Harbor said, "Mama!  The mice followed us from Michigan!"   We are so antsy and anxious right now. Why?   My mom flies into Colorado in three days.   I've not seen her in the flesh in SIX months! And she is staying for three whole weeks!   I'm so excited to share the pictures with you when she gets in. We have plans to take her to all of our favorite spots.   Have a great weekend!

"In a Hurry" Chicken Spaghetti: A Recipe

Hello!   This recipe is one I make at least once every week and a half. It is really easy. And really quick.   And since life with two kids ages four and under is fast and furious, words like "easy" and "quick" are much appreciated in the kitchen! : )   You will need: A few frozen {boneless skinless} chicken breasts Chicken broth: 1 1/2 cups Mild Rotel: 1/2 can Cream of celery Cream of chicken Cream of mushroom an onion a few stalks of celery and spaghetti noodles.  

 

You might notice I use my crock pot every single day   a lot.

That is because making dinner at 5:00 pm is the "witching hour" at our house.

Babies fuss and preschoolers need entertaining.

However, noon time is nap time, and making dinner then makes more sense for me.

Ha!

 

Start by chopping your celery

 

and onion.

 

Throw them in your crock pot with all of your other ingredients and chicken breasts.

{Hold the pasta out until the end!}

 

See?

Quick and easy.

: )

 

Cook on high about six hours or until chicken is done.

 

Boil your noodles until almost done.

 

Grease {or line} a baking dish.

Add noodles and crock pot yumminess to your dish.

 

Top with cheese if you like it!

{I didn't this particular day, but when it comes to cheese, more is more, right?}

: )

 

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

 

Serve with homemade yeast rolls if you have them.

{I need to share that recipe with you!}

 

It is quick and easy.

It will taste like you've been in the kitchen all day.

 

But you haven't.

You've been holding fussy babies and entertaining preschoolers.

 

And what about preschoolers?

 

Mine, for one, loves his mom's "In a Hurry" Chicken Spaghetti!

: )