Mudpies - A.K.A. No-Bake Cookies (Candy)

My Mom made these delicious chocolate and oatmeal, no-bake cookies every year for holidays.  Christmas.  Easter.  Thanksgiving. 4th of July...Family reunion - a true family staple.  As a child, these were my favorite.  I couldn't hardly wait and would often volunteer to "help" just so I could sneak an early bite (or two).  In Mom's cookbook, this recipe is labeled quite simply: No-Bake Cookies (Candy).  I have decided to start calling them Mudpies.  Yes, yes, I know this is quite a common recipe and many households have prepared and shared this recipe for generations.  My Mom would both appreciate and be amused by our name-calling of these yummy treats.  Knowing her grandsons got to enjoy these "Mudpies" would just be the icing on her cake.  Thank you for sharing with us Mom, we love and miss you!

Ingredients & Directions:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 stick margarine

Combine in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, mixing well.  Remove from heat.  Add to remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Mix well with chocolate sauce.  Drop by spoonful on to wax paper and allow to cool.  To store, wrap tightly and store in an air-tight container.

 



Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie Recipe

Sometimes at Christmas, I am fortunate enough to have someone bake goodies and bring them to me and my boys. Last year my friend Stephanie made us this awesome plate full of yummy goodness...




...And we ate it all! Lucky for me she included of a sampling of her homemade candy, Fat Biscuits, and Peanut Brittle. There is no packaged Brittle that even comes close to homemade Peanut Brittle!!

Now being completely honest, I'm not a fan of baking cookies. Dunking and dipping cookies - Yes! That is more my speed. Santa has come to our house many times to find Nutter Butter cookies dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. (With an extra LARGE glass of skim milk to wash those super rich cookies down!!)

But, because my sons and my husband like cookies and having the oven on in use keeps the kitchen warm....I learned to cook these delightful Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies. Easy, easy, easy even for a non-cookie bake such as myself.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped

- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.

- Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy.

- Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk.

- Add the flour mixture; mix well.

- Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased baking sheet.

- Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes.

- Remove from oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into each ball.

- Remove from baking sheet and cool completely.