Macaroon Coconut Anisette Cookies | Cake Mix Cookies | Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you're in a pinch and limited for time, Cake Mix Cookies are easy to make.  The combination of ingredients are up to your imagination!  Macaroon Coconut Anisette Cookies were a big hit in Macaroon Coconut Anisette Cookies our house this Christmas Season, but can be made any time of year.

To celebrate the Christmas Season, my friend from way back in middle school (junior high to us) and I went to a new Italian Bakery to get together, catch up on the latest news, and exchange gifts.

The selection of Italian cookies, ricotta cakes, cheesecake and pastry were calling our names!  We had a light lunch of Aranicini rice balls (risotto balls) and a not so light desert of Tiramisu. The Aranicini had a filling of meat, peas, rice and marinara sauce!  Delicious !

Speaking of Tiramisu, I found a wonderful recipe for Tiramisu Poppers from Rita on FB that I'm going to try next, and place in some pretty Christmas wrappers for some upcoming holiday parties !

I decided to go home and bake up my own version of a batch of those anisette cookies, and packaged them up to send off to my brother in upstate New York.  He misses these Italian Bakeries back home in Connecticut.

The Anisette Coconut Cookies came out delicious!

Easy clean up with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop:

 Anisette Chocolate Chip Coconut Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

1 box (18.25 oz) Yellow or White Cake Mix (I have picked up several from Aldi or Walmart)
2 eggs
1/3 to 1/2 c vegetable oil
1 c Shredded Coconut Flakes
1 tsp Anise
White or Dark Chocolate Chips


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper
Mix eggs, oil, coconut, anise and cake mix ingredients together with a wooden spoon
Mix in chocolate chips additions
Form dough into 1 inch balls
Place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined cookie sheet
Bake 9-13 minutes.  (I found 10 minutes to be good for my oven, I like the cookies somewhat browned, but still chewy.  I eyeball for doneness.

Remove and let cool completely.

Can be frozen.

Happy Baking!

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German Chocolate Caramel Bars | Cake Mix | Bar Cookies Recipe

Here's one of my favorite decadent baked bar cookie recipes for parties.  These German Chocolate Caramel Bars are ooey, gooey and very rich, yet easy to make from a cake mix!

German Chocolate Caramel Turtle Bars

Cake Mix Cookie Bars

This German Chocolate Caramel Bars recipe is a family favorite, passed down from one of my co-workers who's long retired and moved on to sunny Florida.  Every time I make sweets I have fond memories of the parties and bake sales held at the office. You'll enjoy these every season of the year, for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day picnics, summer cookouts, during the winter holidays, birthday parties and even after Sunday dinner! 

These cake mix bars are so sinful! My oldest daughter has a sweet tooth (she takes after her mom), but my hubby is known to make anything chocolate disappear too, as does charming son-in-law.

Treat the kids and grandkids and watch everyone ask for more!

Especially delicious as a dessert treat for your family, dinner guests or kids' sports team celebrations. I usually made them with Duncan Hines Signature German Chocolate cake mix, if I can find it.  

Check out my other easy Cake Mix hacks for yummy bars, cookies and breads -

Banana Muffins from Cake Mix

Triple Chocolate Square Bars from Cake Mix

Sunshine Pineapple Cake from Cake Mix

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies from Cake Mix

Clean-Up is easy with my crochet handmade dish cloths at my Moomettes shop!

Check out my recipe for Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce or Cake Mix Cookie Recipes

German Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars

Equipment:
Mixing Bowl
Wooden Spoon
Saucepan
Sheet Pan
Cookie Sheet
Cooling Rack

Ingreidents:

1 pkg. Duncan Hines German Chocolate Cake Mix
1 -1/2 c. Nestle chocolate chips (1 bag)
1 bag caramels (melt in top of double boiler)
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1/3 c. Carnation evaporated milk
3/4 c. melted Cabot butter
1/3 c. Carnation evaporated milk

Combine caramels and 1/3 c. evaporated milk in saucepan and melt. Set aside.
Mix by hand: Cake mix, butter, 1/3 c. evaporated milk, and walnuts.
Batter will be very thick.
Spread 1/2 batter in greased 9x13 pan sheet pan .
Bake 350 for 6 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust, drizzle caramel over mixture.
Spread remaining batter over it (use hands if necessary).
Return to oven for 18-10 min.
Cool and refrigerate 30 min. to set caramel then cut.
Can use Swiss Chocolate cake mix.
Put cookie sheet underneath pan when baking.

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Triple Chocolate Squares | Sheet Pan Brownies | Cake Mix Desserts Recipe

Triple Chocolate Brownie Squares couldn't be any easier to make and are great for kids or grandkids learning to cook! Perfect for sheet pan any Holiday or party food ! Oh so simple, but delicious!

This recipe was given to me by a former co-worker when we shared a lunch table.  His wife would make it, and it was his favorite!  He always raved about his wife's cooking~  Warms my heart.  

Check out my family's other favorite bar and cookie recipes -

German Chocolate Caramel Bars
Ooey Gooey Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars
Pumpkin Biscotti Bars

Easy clean-up in the kitchen with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop !

Sheet Pan cooking is so easy, especially when you have a quality sheet pan! 

Triple Chocolate Squares

Equipment:
Mixing Bowl
Wooden Spoon
Saucepan
Sheet Pan
Cookie Sheet
Cooling Rack

Ingredients:

1    box regular chocolate cake mix
1    box chocolate pudding (cook type, not instant)
6    oz chocolate chips (12 oz is better)

Preparation:

Cook pudding according to package directions. 

Pour in dry cake mix and stir until smooth and shiny. Add your favorite goodies (chocolate chips, raspberries, nuts, whatever)
Spread on 10 1/2" x 5" cookie sheet (spray with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper).
Sprinkle with chocolate chips and bake for 18 min. at 350 degrees oven. 

Place on cooling rack to cool.  Cut into squares. 

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Cookie Swap Ideas | Frugal Holiday Cookies Recipes

The holidays and New Year are full of time for family and friends. Just thinking about making new memories fills people with the Christmas spirit. This Christmas, gather a few of your best girlfriends and host a cookie exchange party. Here's some cookie swap ideas.

Cookie Swap Ideas

Cookie Swaps are a frugal way to have some fun and maybe exchange Secret Santa cheap presents.

What is a cookie swap? It can be done at any time of the year, but there are so many rich, delectable cookie recipes associated with Christmas, that it is hard to pass up having a get together that centers on the sweet round treat. Keep the list of participants short or you will be baking cookies until your oven gives out.

The main idea behind the cookie exchange is fun, fellowship, and food. Each person invited to the swap will make a dozen cookies for every other guest plus themselves. The dozen they make for themselves will be left at home. Hide it from prying eyes if you don't want them to magically disappear while you attend the party.

Cookie swap ideas and parties work well if planned at least three weeks in advance. This gives your guests time to respond to your invitation and bake the cookies. Ask each guest to list the kind of cookies they will bake so there are no dupes. A week before the party, give a phone call, email, and a postcard to the guests who are coming to let them know how many people will be in attendance. Now they know how many dozens of cookies to bake.

Plan the cookie swap for a cool weekend evening. On a Saturday evening, no one wants to worry about heating costs or getting up early for work. Guests can relax and eat until they need some Pepto Bismol. Since cookies are so sweet, provide drinks like apple cider, bottled water, and hot chocolate.

Finger foods are allowed at the cookie swap. Each person including you will be baking a bunch of cookies so purchase appetizer trays from the local grocery store or have the affair catered. Catering may be a bit pricey but you only live once.

Chocolate chip, Chocolate Bark, Brandy Balls, almond, spice, fruit filled, and brownies - these sound mouth-watering. Instead of the traditional cookies that we make each year, try to come up with something new for everyone to try. They and their families will love you. Bring a few extra bags or disposable containers for guests to take home their cookies that they didn't eat. 

Check out my recipes for White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Cake Mix Cookies (great for the kids to make on their own) and German Chocolate Caramel Turtle Bars.

Need a holiday idea? Host a Christmas cookie swap for your church circle, coworkers, or neighborhood friends is easy, and doesn't require payday loans. If there must be a gathering, make sure that something sweet is present.

These are my simple Creme de Pirouline Hazelnut Cookies dipped in dark or white chocolate decorated with shots or jimmies

Clean up after the party with my crochet handmade Dish Cloths from my Moomettes Crochet Shop

Watch for some great Christmas and holiday cookie recipes you can start freezing ahead!

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© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Easy Cake Mix Cookies Recipe | Cookie Shortcuts

'Is there always a gaggle of kids and teens in your house? Here's a new twist to making an easy cookies starting with a basic cake mix.  Cake Mix Cookies are quickly become our favorites!

BASIC CAKE MIX COOKIES

I love to bake from scratch because I know the ingredients that go into my bakes, and can substitute what my family likes. However, oftentimes in a pinch I like to take baking shortcuts.  I learned this over  the years with some fantastic recipes from my co-workers.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are always so busy for everyone, which makes these Cake Mix Cookies a perfect choice to get your holiday baking on.  Baking with kids is a great way to celebrate the season.

No matter the season, school in session, February or April vacation, school is out for the summer, pool parties,  slumber parties, or just relaxing at home, cookies are always a favorite treat.

These Cake Mix cookies were made with a carrot cake mix and chocolate M&M's.  My next batch will be out of a German Cake Mix  and I'll be adding raisins.

For Christmas, I'll be whipping up Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies with white chocolate chips. Such a simple hack for a Cookie Swap ~ (Try my Red Devil Cheese Ball!)

I've been following Anne Byrn - the Cake Mix Doctor for many years, and recently made a Birthday Cake for my granddaughter.  Anne has a way of doctoring up Box Cake Mixes so that you'd be hard pressed to guess they started out as a mix and with a substitution and addition of a few ingredients, end up tasting as if you worked hours to get a homemade from scratch taste. There's recipes for frostings, icings, bars and cakes.

I adapted the recipe in order to get the feel of a homemade from scratch dough. The dough is going to be STICKY no matter if you refrigerate it ahead of time, so I just deal with it.  These cookies are so worth it!

You can check out my recipe for Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cake Mix Cookies here.

 So if you're busy and want to wow them at the soccer game, birthday party, Halloween Thanksgiving or Christmas, give these cake mix cookies a try!

Pirouline Cookies

This is another cookie hack I like to make - although not made from a cake mix cookie recipe, it's delish - simple Creme de Pirouline hazelnut cookies dipped in white or dark chocolate and decorated with shots or jimmies. Everyone loves them

Easy clean up with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop

CARROT CAKE MIX COOKIES RECIPE

Ingredients

1 box (18.25 oz) Carrot Cake Mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
2 eggs
1/3 to 1/2 c. vegetable oil (I start out with 2 Tbl. and then add 1 Tbl. at a time if needed)
Chocolate M&M's or Raisins (or whatever choice of additions you wish to add)


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper
Mix ingredients together with a wooden spoon - starting out with 2 Tbl. oil and add more if needed
Mixture will be sticky.
If it's still too sticky, add extra flour, 1 Tablespoon at a time.
Mix in additions (candies, raisins, whatever you'd like)
Refrigerate dough for 1/2 hour.
Form dough into 1 inch balls
Place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined cookie sheet
Bake 9-13 minutes.  (I found 10 minutes to be good for my oven, I like the cookies somewhat browned, but still chewy.  I eyeball for doneness.

Remove and let cool completely.

Can be frozen.

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© Frugal New England Kitchen 

German Chocolate Caramel Bars | Cake Mix Dessert Recipe - Caramel Turtles

New ways to indulge and enjoy Caramel! Most people crave sweets or something salty when under stress.  Sometimes we have to indulge and give into our whims. Enjoy German Chocolate Caramel Bars also known as Caramel Turtles 

This recipe for a chocolate caramel bar was given to me by a coworker. It's truly a rich, chocolate creamy caramel goodness fix. And you wouldn't believe it starts with a doctored cake mix!

Easy kitchen clean up with Reusable Cotton Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop -

Buy these pretty Handmade Dish Cloths directly here via Paypal https://py.pl/JBWE0

German Chocolate Caramel Bars

Ingredients:

                  1     pkg. German Chocolate cake mix
                  1     -1/2 c. chocolate chips (1 bag)
                  1 bag caramels (melt in top of double boiler)
                  1     c. chopped nuts (optional)
                1/3     c. evaporated milk
                3/4     c. melted butter
                1/3     c. evaporated milk

  Preparation:

               Combine caramels and 1/3 c. evaporated milk in
               saucepan and melt.  Set aside.  Mix by hand: Cake
               mix, butter, 1/3 c. evaporated milk, and walnuts.
               Batter will be very thick.  Spread 1/2 batter in
               greased 9x13 cookie sheet pan.  Bake 350 for 6 minutes.
               Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust, drizzle caramel
               over mixture.  Spread remaining batter over it (use
               hands if necessary).  Return to oven for 18-10 min.
               Cool and refrigerate 30 min. to set caramel then cut.
               Put cookie sheet underneath pan when baking 

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© Frugal New England Kitchen 

Cake Mix Cookies | Pumpkin Snickerdoodles | Pumpkin Recipes

Who doesn't enjoy a delicious Snickerdoodle Cookie?  Here's a new twist to making an easy spicy cinnamon Pumpkin Snickerdoodle with a basic cake mix.  Or, you could leave the pumpkin out and make it everyone's favorite cookie. Yes, read on!

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles - Cake Mix Cookies

I've been following Anne Byrn - the Cake Mix Doctor for many years, and recently made a Birthday Cake for my granddaughter.  Anne has a way of doctoring up Box Cake Mixes so that you'd be hard pressed to guess they started out as a mix and with a substitution and addition of a few ingredients, end up tasting as if you worked hours to get a homemade from scratch taste. There's recipes for frostings, icings, bars and cakes.

I adapted the recipe in order to get the feel of a homemade from scratch dough. The dough is going to be STICKY no matter if you refrigerate it ahead of time, so I just deal with it.  These cookies are so worth it!

I couldn't find any Pumpkin Pie spice in the stores so I made my own (I just eyeball measurements - Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground cloves, if you have it).

Next time, I might try making these with a Spice Cake mix.

 So if you're busy and want to wow them at the soccer game, birthday party, Halloween or Thanksgiving, give these cake mix cookies a try!

Easy clean up with Handmade Dish Cloths from Moomettes Crochet Shop: 

  

White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

1 box (18.25 oz) Yellow or Golden Cake Mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
1 egg
1/2 c. canned Pumpkin (Not Puree)
1/4 to 1/3 c. vegetable oil (I start out with 2 Tbl. and then add 1 Tbl. at a time if needed)
3 Tbl. Granulated Sugar
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. mace or ground cloves

Extra Granulated Sugar and Cinnamon for rolling

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper
Mix ingredients together with a wooden spoon - starting out with 2 Tbl. oil and add more if needed
Mixture will be sticky.
If it's still too sticky, add extra flour, 1 Tablespoon at a time.
Refrigerate dough for 1/2 hour.
Form dough into 1 inch balls
Roll each ball in the extra cinnamon and sugar mixture
Place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined cookie sheet
Bake 9-13 minutes.  (I found 13 minutes to be good for my oven, I like the cookies somewhat browned, but still chewy.  I eyeball for doneness.

Remove and place on cooling rack, let cool completely.

Can be frozen. 

Like my Recipes?  Buy me a Bag of Flour

© Frugal New England Kitchen