Double PB and Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

After eating these cookies, Ryan told me to throw away all my other cookies recipes and just make these, they were that good. I found this recipe on the back of a bag of chocolate chips (again, while trying to use up pantry items). The next time you are in the mood for some PB cookies, give these a try, they are delicious!

1/2 cup butter or marg., softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter chips

Beat butter, sugar and PB in bowl until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add to butter mixture. Stir in milk chocolate chips and PB chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-9 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Enjoy!

Toasted Almond Granola

I've been trying to use up some of the items in our pantry before the move. We had a ton of old fashioned oatmeal, so granola it was. I liked this recipe because it had little oil and a lot less sugar than other recipes. It was quite tasty! We really liked it with sliced strawberries and vanilla yogurt. Enjoy!

Toasted Almond Granola
3 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups rice krispies
1/2 cup wheat germ, toasted
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flaked coconut (I added this to mine and it was delicious)
2 Tbsp sunflower kernels
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups dried fruit (I used raisins and craisins, but chopped apricots and/or dates would also be good)

In a large bowl, combine first nine ingredients. In a saucepan, combine orange juice, honey and oil. Heat for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until honey is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in extracts. Pour over oat mixture, stir to coat. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until crisp; stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Stir in dried fruits. Store in an airtight container.