M & M Cookies

I have loved these cookies forever, and now that M&Ms come in special colors for all different holidays, they are a perfect choice for Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and more.  They are so easy to make, and it is easy to get the kids involved, so they are a definite winner in my house!

Pretend there is baking soda in this picture, please!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups candy-coated milk chocolate pieces (divided)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, shortening, and vanilla thoroughly. 
2. Mix together flour, salt, and baking soda and gradually add to creamed mixture. Blend well. Add 3/4 cup of M&M candies.
3. Drop dough by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Slightly push a few candies on top of each dough ball with remaining candies.  (My kids help me with this part.)
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 9 to 11 minutes, to your liking.  Makes 5-6 dozen.

Difficulty: On a cookie scale, pretty easy

Time: 15 min prep, 9-11 minutes for each batch

Source: Allrecipes.com

Joyce's Menu Plan 1/25 - 1/31

My meal plans have been a bit odd lately, so I have refrained from posting.  As I created this week's, I thought it might be one worth sharing.   To save me from too much time in the kitchen, I am taking advantage of the slow cooker, prepping ahead for one meal while making another, and leftovers.  I hope you can find something useful in it!

Friday - Tacos

For a quick low-key Friday meal at the end of a long, cold week, I thought the kids would enjoy putting the fixings on their own tacos.  

Saturday - Breakfast for dinner

Friday night, I will be sleeping in the auditorium of the high school where I teach and am the co-sponsor of the Actors' Society for a lock-in function that culminates in a performance (by the students, not by me) for charity on Saturday night.  Thus, I will be MIA for the day.  My husband is awesome at making breakfast - omelets, pancakes, you name it - so this meal is on him.

Sunday - Potato Soup, Grilled Turkey Sandwiches, and salad

I have typically saved slow cooker meals for work days because it is so nice to have the meal made when we get home.  However, I have been taking advantage of the slow cooker more and more on Sundays.  I get the meal ready in the morning and have the rest of the day to spend with my family.  

Monday - Salsa Chicken Bake and steamed veggies

This will be an easy and delicious meal for a Monday, and it gives me an opportunity to prep some chicken for Thursday.  

Tuesday - Sausage, Tomato, and Spinach Pasta

Tuesday is gymnastics night, and we get home at dinner time with everyone hungry.  I don't want to spend a long time on a meal; this one takes only as long as it takes to make the pasta - 20 minutes from start to finish.

Wednesday - Leftovers

It will just be the kids and me for dinner, so we should have enough leftovers from earlier in the week to feed us.

Thursday - Pulled BBQ Crescents and salad

My husband will get home late on Thursday, so I want something with an easy prep.  This meal is one of my kids' favorites, and with the chicken already prepped from Monday, it takes no time to put together.