Virtual Cookie Exchange 2011!

I'm excited to share two of my most popular cookie recipes with everyone today, but first, I want to point out the list of blogs to the right.  Those lovely ladies are participating in today's Virtual Cookie Exchange too and will be sharing their favorite cookie/sweet treat recipes on their respective blogs (can't wait to check them out!).

Okay, now for the good stuff! 

My most popular/requested cookie during the holidays:  

No-bake Chocolate Oatmeal Drops

2 Cups Sugar

1/2 Cup Milk

1/3 Cup Cocoa

1/4 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter

1 tsp. Vanilla

3 Cups Oatmeal (the real stuff, not instant)

1. Mix the sugar, milk, cocoa, and butter together in a small sauce pan over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil
2. Let it boil for one minute while constantly stirring
3. Remove from heat 
4. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and oatmeal 
5. Immediatly drop mixture by tablespoonful onto wax paper
6. Let the cookies cool (sometimes I place them in the fridge to speed up the process) and then store them in a airtight container.

My second most requested holiday treat are my Oreo truffles.  I came across this recipe in a Kraft Food and Family magazine in the fall of 2006 and it quickly became a hit in my family.

Easy Oreo Truffles

1 pkg. (1 lb., 2 oz.) of Oreos, divided

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened

16 oz. of baking chocolate (I use milk chocolate, but some prefer dark or even white chocolate), melted

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in a food processor (or you can crush them by putting them in a freezer bag and rolling them with a rolling pin), set aside for later use 
2. Crush the remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs
3. Place these crumbs in a medium bowl
4. Add the cream cheese and mix until well blended
5. Roll mixture into 42 balls, about 1" in diameter
6. Dip balls in chocolate and then place them on a wax paper-covered baking sheet
7. Sprinkle the tops of the truffles with the reserved cookie crumbs
8. Refridgerate them for about 1 hour or until firm

*Since these truffles have cream cheese in them, so be sure to store them in the refridgerator*

Oh, and in case you missed it, I posted the recipe for MY favorite holiday treat here (White chocolate covered popcorn mix, aka "Crack" ;) 

Happy baking everyone, and thanks for stopping by!  Please be sure to check out the other blogs participating in the cookie exchange!