No Bake Graham Cracker Cookie Balls with Variations

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
© www.CookieClubRecipes.com

Lebkuchen Cookies

Lebkuchen Cookies (German)
by Ebalamucki, Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com


Category: Desserts, Cookies, Christmas, German
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Level: Baking Experience Helpful
Yield: 3 Dozen Cookies


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Here's a good cookie to make ahead of time for the holidays. This recipe was given to me by my grandmother. 

Ingredients

2 eggs
l cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
3/4 cup ground nuts
2 l/2 cups flour
l/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
l/2 tsp. cinnamon
l/4 tsp. allspice
l/2 tsp. cloves
6 tsp. orange peel and 2 tsp. lemon peel
(or you can use mixed candied fruit in place of orange and lemon peel)

Directions:

Beat eggs and sugar till fluffy. Add honey and mix well, then add nuts (almonds or walnuts). In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together. Add orange and lemon peel, or candied fruit. Add flour mixture to egg mixture and beat well.

Chill dough for several hours or overnight. Roll out to about l/4 inch thick or thinner. Cut out cookies with cutters of the season. I add a slivered almond and green and red candied cherries on the top before baking at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Do Not let them get too brown. 

If they are too crisp, put them in a plastic bag and add a bread crust. They will become softer and chewy. They will keep for weeks - Not refrigerated. 

Enjoy!

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Honey Almond Crunch Cookies

Honey Almond Crunch Cookies 
by LeAnne R., Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com

Category: Desserts, Cookies
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Level: Baking Experience Helpful
Yield: 24 Cookies

Sweet, chewy, crunchy, deliciousness! That may be the best way to describe these unique cookies made with a pound of almonds. They are slightly similar to the sweetest granola bar or protein bar you've ever had, but shaped like a cookie. Did I mention they are packed with almonds? That means they're also GOOOOOOD for us! :o)

Ingredients:

1 c. unsalted butter
1 c. granulated sugar
1/3 c. honey
1/3 c. heavy cream
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 pound sliced almonds (due to the current high cost of almonds here in the U.S., I used 2 6-ounce pkgs. instead of a full pound)
8 1-ounce squares semi-sweet chocolate, melted (optional)

Editor's Note: This recipe makes 24 cookies, using 2 greased muffin pans. They are sweet enough without the chocolate but they're even better with it. If you like chocolate. I decided to save even more money (in addition to using less almonds) and only melt 1 square of chocolate. I was able to drizzle or spread the melted 1-ounce square on about 1/3 of the cookies for a nice variety. 

Instructions:

Butter 2 muffin pans and set aside. 

In a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom, combine butter, sugar, honey, cream and almond extract. 

Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring frequently. When mixture comes to a boil, cook and stir constantly for one and a half minutes. 

Remove from heat and stir in almonds.

Divide mixture among prepared pans using a large spoon to fill muffin cups evenly. Pat mixture in bottom of pans using spoon or fingers dipped in cold water. Pans should be filled about a half inch deep. (Do not fill muffin cups more than half way or honey mixture will spill over during baking.)

Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees (350 for dark muffin pans) for 8-10 minutes, or till golden brown. Timing will depend on type of pan used. Remove pans from oven and let cool slightly.

Refrigerate 5-8 minutes or until just firm enough to go around edges gently with tip of sharp knife. 



Remove cookies from pans to waxed paper. Note: If bits of cookie are left behind in the muffin cup during transfer, press back onto the underside of warm cookie, they are still somewhat formable at this stage. 

Go ahead, try to resist that warm honey almond cookie. Not gonna happen!

Let cookies cool completely. If desired, drizzle melted chocolate on top of cookies or spread a thin layer on flat side. Refrigerate until chocolate is hardened. 

Enjoy!

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Healthy Cranberry Honey Cookies

Healthy Cranberry Honey Cookies
by Ashley of Waterloo, Canada, Cookie Club Member
Recipe Courtesy of www.CookieClubRecipes.com


Category: Desserts, Cookies
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Level: Easy to Bake - Baking Experience Helpful - Impressive Baking Skills
Yield: 3-4 Dozen Cookies


These nutrient-rich oatmeal cookies are made with so many healthy ingredients you could eat them for breakfast. In fact, when I baked them, I did just that! I used local honey and farm fresh eggs, whole wheat flour, old fashioned oatmeal, dried cranberries AND sunflower seeds. If you enjoy healthy cookies you have GOT to try this wonderful recipe. You won't be disappointed!!!

Ingredients:

1 c. honey
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour, or half of each)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. sea salt (optional)
1 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 c. old-fashioned uncooked oatmeal
3/4 c. dried cranberries
3/4 c. sunflower seeds (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. 

Beat honey, butter and vanilla until smooth. 

Add egg. Mix until well blended. 

Combine flour, baking soda, salt (if using), and spices. Add to honey mixture. 

Stir in oats, cranberries and sunflower seeds (if using).  

Dough will be very thick and sticky. 

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets. 

Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookies look set and are slightly brown around edges. Cool on wire racks and store in airtight tins. 

Makes about 3-4 dozen cookies. 

Enjoy!

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Graham Cracker Cookies

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


Print Recipe...

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!

© www.CookieClubRecipes.com