The best sugar cookie recipe

I made these cookies for the cookie table at the wedding of my very good friend and TH 9 roommate Catherine Bishop to Chris Ross.  It was a beautiful wedding!

I got the recipe for these cookies from another of my favorite blogs: Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body and I couldn't have asked for a better tasting sugar cookies.  Ok, so I've never even made sugar cookies before so maybe they just all are so easy and delicious but I was so very impressed with these.  I also used Multi Purpose flour for these which I nevvvveeer use.  But I've come to the realization that not everyone likes whole wheat.  In fact, I'm surprised at the amount of people who hate the way it tastes. So I've decided that though I will always use whole wheat for John and I.  I will use multi purpose while making dessert for others...which is mostly when I make desserts

As a side note, one would assume that all I eat is sugar.  But really I'm making all of these desserts and cookies for events and other people so it's not all that bad.  But I DO really love sugar anyway.

Sugar Cookies:
 Recipe from  Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body

1 1/4 c sugar (I used organic evaporated cane juice and it worked great)
2 sticks butter
3 egg yolks
2 tsps vanilla extract
2 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
granulated sugar
 or sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350.  I used my stand mixer for this so it made mixing so easy.

Mix butter and sugar until it is nice and creamy.  Add egg yolks and vanilla extract.  Add flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt until cookie dough is all mixed.

Form dough balls, roll them in sugar or sprinkles and place them on cookie sheet.  Press down to flatten slightly.

Bake for 12-14 mins until cracked a little on the top.  Do not over bake or cookies will not be soft in the middle.  Place cookies on cookie rack to cool.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Brownies with a pretzel base and buttercream frosting

I saw these on one of my favorite blogs: The Avid Appetite and knew immediately that I had to try them.  However, although I love sweets, I don't like baking for just John and I.  That would be a real problem for people like us who try to eat healthy.  So when I girl in our Bible study asked someone to make a dessert, I seized the opportunity.  These suckers were to die for!  I love that salty and sweet mix, and the icing was so easy to make!  Forget the fact that there is a ton of butter in these guys...it's ok to indulge every once in awhile.

P.S. My picture isn't very good...as this was the last brownie left.  I decided to take a quick picture before I gobbled it down.

Brownies with a pretzel base and buttercream frosting
Recipe from: The Avid Appetite

Pretzel crust:

4 cups pretzel
3/4 c unsalted butter
1/2 c sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degress F.  Line 9 x 13 pan with aluminum foil then spray with cooking spray.
Pulse pretzels in food processor until roughly chopped. Mix together with melted butter and sugar.  Press into 9 x 13 pan and bake for about 10 minutes
.
Brownies:

4 ounces (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate
3/4 c butter
2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 c flour

change oven temp to 350 degrees F.

Melt butter and chocolate in microwave until butter is melted.  Then stir until all chocolate is melted as well. Mix in all other ingredients until blended well.
Pour and smooth brownie mixture onto pretzel crust. Bake for 35 minutes.  Do not overbake because you want the brownies to still be fudgy!  But not raw of course.

Buttercream frosting:

1/2 c butter at room temperature
3 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk

Beat the butter until fluffy (I used my stand mixture with the paddle attachment but you could also use a hand mixture.  Gradually add sugar and keep beating, then add vanilla and milk.

Then spread over cooled brownies.  Put a pretzel on top of each brownie if desired.  It's helpful as it lets guests know what is in your dessert!

Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos

I received this recipe from my beautiful friend Melanie.  She sent it to me after a discussion over how we like making vegetarian dishes but our husbands also like meat.  She said her husband even said about these burritos "it tastes like there is meat in here!" so that is a bonus!
I knew right away that I was going to love it due to the fact that it has two of my favorite ingredients in it: black beans and sweet potatoes.  I was not wrong in assuming this and knew I had to put it on my blog ASAP.  These will be a staple in the Marlowe house I know that for sure!

Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos:

3 cups sweet potatoes, peel and diced
1/2 c onion chopped
olive oil

Saute sweet potatoes and onions in 1 tbsp olive oil until tender.  Add water as needed to prevent sticking.  About 10-15 mins.

2 c black beans
1 tsp cumin
3/4 ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
A shake or two of cayenne red pepper

(since I love spices, I always tend to add more than recipes call for...so do what you think is right)

Add all of the above ingredients and cook until heated through.

8 flour tortillas (I actually used whole wheat, low carb tortillas from Trader Joes. Low cal, plus lots of fiber. Bonus!)
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat Oven to 350.

Divide bean mizture and cheese among tortillas and roll up. Place in a pan.  Cover pan with foil and bake for 20-25 mins.

Garnish with sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro!  YUM!