No Bake Graham Cracker Cookie Balls (with Variations)
by Michelle Jones, Cookie Club Editor
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com
Category: Desserts, Cookies, No Bake
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Level: Easy
Yield: 2-3 Dozen Cookies
Here's a quick an easy recipe for cookie balls that do not require any baking time, or cooking on the stove. And, unlike many other "no bake" cookie recipes, these do not have chocolate, coconut, peanut butter, or nuts of any kind. Instead, they are made with raisins and dates. And, HONEY. That means they are GOOD FOR YOU COOKIES, our favorite kind!
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Ingredients:
1 c. golden raisins or raisin berry mix (dried fruit section of your grocery store)
1 c. chopped dates (soft pitted dates are easier to find during the holiday baking season)
10 graham crackers, crushed into fine crumbs (I left some pieces a bit larger for more crunch)
1/4 - 1/2 c. honey
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, stir together raisins, chopped dates, and graham cracker crumbs.
Add enough honey to moisten cookie mixture. Start with 1/4 cup. If the dates are moist it should help bind the mixture together.
Dampen hands with water and roll mixture into balls.
Note: The cookie mixture does not need to be dough-like. However, it does need to be moist enough to form into balls. The package of dates I found (not having time to run to another store to search for fresher ones that I prefer) were very dry. So, I just added a little more honey and they were quite delicious. And, the next time I can buy better dates, I'm going to make these cookies again. They are that easy to make, and that good!
Store cookie balls in an airtight container, layering with foil or wax paper. These cookies also ship well; just wrap each one separately (with foil or plastic wrap) to keep them from sticking together.
If you'd like to try some variations here are a few suggestions I believe would turn out well...
Cranberry Variation: Use 1 c. dried cranberries instead of raisins.
Dried Fruit Variation: Use 1 c. of any dried fruit desired, chopped if needed, in place of either the raisins OR chopped dates.
Chocolate Chip Variation: Use 3/4 - 1 c. chocolate chips instead of raisins, or any flavor of chips you'd like to try.
Oatmeal Variation: Use 1 c. uncooked oats instead of graham crackers. Cookies will be less sweet with oatmeal, however, still sweet because of the dried fruit and honey.
Enjoy!
Recipe edited and photos added by CookieClubRecipes.comOriginally submitted by Dorianne, Graham Cracker Cookies
2004 Annual Cookie Club Recipes Cookbook
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Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
by Patti Dunn, Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com
Category: Desserts, Cookie Bars
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Level: Baking Experience Helpful
Yield: 16-20 Bars
Print Recipe...
This recipe has caused me to have a lot of friends!
Ingredients:
1 8-ounce pkg. of cream cheese
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Walnuts, chopped (optional)
Graham cracker crust (recipe below)
Editor's Notes:
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice... mix together 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger, 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp. ground cloves. (I always omit the cloves, don't ask why, it's a long story that goes all the way back to my childhood. Ha) And, if you're like me, you never buy pumpkin pie spice anyway. It truly is okay to add more or less for any of the spices, as you desire. I often add a little more cinnamon too, just when I'm feeling really cinnamonly!
How to Make a Graham Cracker Crust...
1 c. graham cracker crumbs (1 pkg. graham crackers)
1/4 c. sugar
5 T. butter, melted
Mix all 3 ingredients together with a fork, directly in baking pan. Press crust down evenly and chill for 30 minutes.Since these bars will be baked in the oven, the exact chill time is not critical. Just chill the crust in the fridge while you're preparing the pumpkin cheesecake filling. This makes a perfect graham cracker crust for an 8x8-inch square baking pan. If using a larger baking pan, increase recipe to make a larger crust.
Directions:
Beat the cream cheese in a bowl until fluffy. Then add the sweetened condensed milk. Mix thoroughly. Slowly beat in the eggs. Next, add the pumpkin and spice.
Pour mixture into 8-inch baking pan prepared with graham cracker crust. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
Gently remove from oven and sprinkle chopped nuts on top of cheesecake (if desired).
Editor's Note: For those that don't like nuts, we only sprinkled them on half. They are delicious either way!
Bake for another 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely.
Then cut into squares. These taste wonderful at room temperature or chilled.
Enjoy!
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Crisp Graham Cookies with M&M's® Candy
by BJMJ, Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com
Category: Desserts, Cookies
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Level: Easy to Bake
Yield: 3 Dozen Cookies
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Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter-flavored shortening
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3 T. creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 c. plain M&M's® candy
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar.
Then beat in egg.
Add vanilla and milk. Next, blend in peanut butter.
Combine dry ingredients and add to the creamed mixture.
Stir in the M&M's® and nuts.
Drop by teaspoonfuls 1" apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.
Enjoy!
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S'mores Cookie Bars
by Sandra Davenport, Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com
Category: Desserts, Bars
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Level: Baking Experience Helpful
Yield: 12 Bars
Ingredients:
1 c. butter, softened not margarine
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 2/3 c. flour
1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. milk chocolate chips
2-7 ounce jars or 1- 15 ounce jar marshmallow cream
Instructions:
Combine butter and sugar and mix to fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Add flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt and beat well.
Pat 1/2 of dough in a well greased 9x13-inch pan.
Pour milk chocolate chips over dough.
Spread marshmallow cream over chips as best as possible.
Pat rest of dough over cream.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes.
Once cooled, cut into bars.
Enjoy!
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
by CJ, Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com
Category: Desserts, Cookies
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Level: Easy to Bake
Yield: 12 - 24 Cookies
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Ingredients:
1 jar (18 ounces) peanut butter
1 package (16 ounces ) graham crackers broken into rectangles
1 1/2 pounds chocolate almond bark
Directions:
Spread a rounded teaspoonful of peanut butter on one side of half of the graham crackers. Top with remaining crackers. In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt candy coating and stir until smooth. Dip cookies in coating to completely cover; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet; let stand until firm. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place. Yield 5 dozen.These are very good, They taste like a Butterfinger or a Clark Bar. They have been a favorite in my family every since I have made them.
Enjoy!
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Graham Cracker Cookies (No Bake Cookies - Recipe 3)
by Dorianne, Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com
Category: Desserts, Cookies
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Level: Easy to Make
Yield: 12 -24 Cookies
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Ingredients:
1 c. raisins
1/4 c. honey
1 c. chopped dates
10 graham crackers
Directions:
Pour raisins, dates and honey into a mixing bowl. Add crushed graham crackers to honey-fruit mixture. Roll into balls.
Enjoy!
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