Receta Cookies & Cream Crunch Cookie Bites
Surprise Virtual Potluck for Christy Jordan
Let me start at the beginning of how this virtual potluck came about. Christy was in a horseback riding accident just over two months ago and broke both legs. She was in a wheelchair for a time and is now able to stand and walk a little before it’s time to sit back down. As you can imagine, she’s been in quite a fix making meals during this time. Check out her multiple posts entitled “100 Reasons Why I’m Not a Cowgirl” to follow her journey (starting with her July 29th post). One of my favorites is her post on How to Make Brownies with Two Broke Legs. She has a terrific sense of humor and is an extremely gifted writer.
Christy has remained so positive throughout this ordeal. She encourages everyone with her kind words and inspirational messages on Facebook (if you don’t follow her, it’s a must). She’s an early riser and posts the most heartwarming messages to her readers, who are really like her extended family. I’ve shared some of these with my friends and family as I know it will touch their hearts too. Take a look at one of her recent morning posts:
No matter how old we get, there is always this ingrained need to know someone loves us and is proud of us. There are many people in your life who feel both those things when it comes to you, though they may not say it – pride, sometimes even personalities, make it difficult for the words to form.
I know you have days where you wonder if anyone notices all your effort and I’m here to tell you they do, and the effects are more far reaching than you can imagine.
So just in case you haven’t heard it lately and just in case you need to:
I love you and I’m so very proud of you.
Keep your chin up, you got this.
Good Morning
Now isn’t that an uplifting way to start the day? Even now it makes me feel all warm inside.
As Christy brings so much sunshine to others, I wanted to find a way to give back to her during this challenging time. Typically, you take food to a sick friend or family member in need. Since time and distance were an issue, I thought the next best thing would be to throw a virtual potluck for Christy. A few weeks after her accident, I contacted her friend Stacey of Southern Bite to get his thoughts about this and he was totally on board. Next thing you know, I started calling on my food blogging friends to share easy recipes and they were thrilled to help (their recipes are listed at the bottom of this post). Stacey and I stayed in touch and he promised not to let the surprise slip when he saw Christy. We’ve been keeping this under wraps for several weeks now and we’re happy the day has finally arrived.
Christy, this potluck is for you! Surprise! You are loved by so many people and we are blessed to know you (if only virtually for now). You have such a kind and giving spirit with a faith that’s as bright as the sun after the rain. I hope we get to meet some day and just sit and chat for awhile. Enjoy this celebration of you! Maybe next time we can have a good old-fashioned dinner on the ground celebration. Wouldn’t that be something?
Keeping with an easy recipe theme, I created these Cookies & Cream Crunch Cookie Bites that start with a sugar cookie mix. You get a double dose of cookies and cream in these two-bite treats. What a nice surprise to take a bite and find a kiss inside. There’s a little bit of crunch from the cereal and the cookie bits inside the kisses. Let me tell you, these cookies are totally addictive! You’ll be going back for another and another and…well, you get the picture. I had to get them out of the house to family and friends before we ate them all by ourselves! Enjoy!
Cookies & Cream Crunch Cookie Bites
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 pouch (1 lb. 1.5 oz.) sugar cookie mix (Betty Crocker)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 2 cups Hershey's Cookies 'n' Crème Cereal, finely crushed*
- 48 Hershey's Cookies 'n' Crème Kisses, unwrapped
- Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
- 3 teaspoons shortening, divided
- 1/2 cup white vanilla baking chips
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
In large bowl, combine cookie mix and butter. Stir vanilla into egg and beat slightly; add to mixture in bowl. Beat on low to medium speed until well blended. Stir in crushed cereal until well combined. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.**
Shape dough into small balls (slightly larger than kiss) and place kiss in the middle. Wrap dough completely around kiss forming a mound.
Place on ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are set. Cool 3 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets to wire cooling rack. Cool completely.
In small microwave bowl, microwave milk chocolate chips and 1 1/2 teaspoons shortening uncovered on High for 45 seconds; stir. Continue heating in 10-15 second increments; stirring each time until melted and smooth. Spoon into small resealable freezer plastic bag. Cut small tip off one corner and drizzle over cookies.
In another small microwave bowl, microwave white vanilla baking chips and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons shortening uncovered on High for 45 seconds; stir. Continue heating in 10-15 second increments; stirring each time until melted and smooth. Spoon into small resealable freezer plastic bag. Cut small tip off one corner and drizzle over top of milk chocolate drizzle.
Let cookies sit about 20 minutes or until drizzle has set.
Notes
*Make there are no whole pieces left after crushing cereal.
**Return bowl of cookie dough to refrigerator between batches if your kitchen gets too warm.
3.1
Want to join in the celebration with us? Check out the other recipes that are part of this virtual potluck. For those of you on Twitter, the hashtag is #PotluckforChristy.
Banana Pudding from Veronica of My Catholic Kitchen
Caramel Pound Cake from Stacey of Southern Bite
Chicken Salad from Elizabeth of Food Ramblings
Easy Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Hash Browns from Kristin of Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Herbed Cream Pasta with Bacon from Brandy of Farmer’s Wife Rambles
Mint Chocolate Espresso Pudding from Wanda of My Sweet Zepol
Pepperoni Bread from Karen at In The Kitchen With KP
Potluck Party Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese from Raquel of Organized Island
Roasted Fig and Ricotta Crositini from Susan of The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Sausage and Kale Casserole from Pam of Blueberries and Blessings
Spinach and Zucchini Lasagna from Samantha of The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Tomato and Boursin Tartlets from Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake
This post is linked to I’m Lovin It, Two Cup Tuesday, Tasteful Tuesdays, Whimsy Wednesday, What’s Cookin’ Wednesday, Wake Up Wednesdays, Link Party Palooza