M&M Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups original M&Ms

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Beat butter, sugars, and vanilla together in a large bowl until creamy. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in M&Ms.
3. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove to wire rack. Cool completely.

Chocolate Lava Cakes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate
• 3 eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 6 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
• Powdered sugar, whipped cream, or raspberries for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter four 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups and dust with cocoa powder .
2. In the top half of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the butter and the chocolate until melted.
3. Meanwhile, beat the eggs, egg yolks and sugar together until light colored and thick. While beating, slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then quickly beat in the flour and cocoa powder and mix until just combined.
4. Divide the batter between the four molds and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 to 10 minutes. The centers of the cakes will still be quite soft. Invert cakes on serving plates and let sit for about 15 seconds, then unmold. Serve immediately with fresh whipped cream, powdered sugar, or raspberries, if desired.

*Before garnishing, you can refrigerate the cakes if not serving immediately. Microwave, covered, for 20 seconds to "reliquify" the center.

Soft Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt, stir into the creamed mixture until dough comes together. Roll dough into walnut sized balls. Place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
3. Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until bottom is light brown. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.
4. Frost with desired icing.

Cherry Pie

Ingredients

• 1 recipe double crust pie pastry
• 4 cups pitted sour cherries
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 10 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Directions

1. Line a 9-inch pie pan with one of the pastries. Refrigerate until needed. Roll out the dough for the top crust, transfer it to a plate or baking sheet, and refrigerate.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a baking tray in the oven to preheat.
3. Place the cherries, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium-sized, non-aluminum saucepan. Allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes, or until the sugar draws out the cherries' juices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Lower the heat; simmer for 1 minute, or until the juices thicken and become translucent. Remove pan from heat, and stir in butter and almond extract. Allow the filling to cool to lukewarm. Pour the filling into the pie shell. Cover with top crust, crimp the edges to seal, and cut vents for steam.
4. Bake in the preheated oven on the baking tray for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Allow to cool for several hours before slicing.

Guacamole

Ingredients

• 4 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 roma plum tomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cumin

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper and cumin. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately