Showing posts with label holiday cookies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday cookies. Show all posts

Saturday, November 25, 2017

7 Genius Holiday Cookie Jars Mixes from One Base



Is it just me, or does the Holiday season come too quickly?! It seems like there's always one thing or another that needs to be done, or baked, or delivered. The joy of giving can easily be lost in the hustle...but it doesn't need to be that way. I get a jump-start on all the gifts by making a few of these handy cookie-mixes ahead of time. That way, I don't ever feel too stressed.  For some great inexpensive very Martha-Stewart-like beautiful cookie mix wrapping ideas, see my post on Holiday Gifts of Impeccable Taste. These are also fabulous made in pint or quart-sized jars  (depending on the size of the recipe) and will be shelf-stable 2-3 years with an oxygen absorber! Wow! Right?!


What if one gourmet-quality homemade moist and chewy buttermilk cookie mix could save you a ton of money on holiday neighbor gifts and be made into 7 or more different cookie mixes, just by adding a few different ingredients?! Would that be the best cookie mix in history?! What if it was also shelf-stable and "just add water" so you didn't even need to find an egg or a cube of butter? That is evil-genius.



Here's my simple basic recipe base:

Chef Tess Bakeresse ™ 
Extra Moist Buttermilk Cookie Mix
9 cups All Purpose Flour 
1 ¼ cup Powdered Whole Eggs
1 cup Buttermilk Powder
1 cup Vanilla Pudding Mix (2 small boxes)
2 Tbsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. salt
4 cup Powdered Butter
3 1/2 cups sugar 

To make Cookie Mix: Combine all ingredients well. This mix will make approximately 20 cups of cookie mix. Use 2 cups of mix per gourmet cookie mix (or the amount specified for the flavor variations). This recipe will make 10 bags of plain sugar cookie mix. 10 quart-sized jars.
To Bake: Combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water and stir well. Place one inch balls on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.  Yield 1 dozen cookies.

This Mix will Make 7 different cookie mixes depending on what flavors you add to it. It is simple to change and very versatile. 




Raspberry Cocoa Coated Crinkles

For the mix  (pint size jar):
2 cups buttermilk cookie mix
1 tsp LorAnn Raspberry flavored oil, combine well.
Coating:
1/4 cup hot cocoa mix 
To Bake: Combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water and stir well. Form into 12 balls and roll each cookie in the cocoa mix. Place one inch balls on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.



 Elvis' Blue Christmas
 Peanut-butter Banana whoopie pies

For the Mix (quart size jar):
2 cups buttermilk cookie mix
1 cup Powdered Peanut Butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. LorAnn Banana Flavoring oil

Frosting (plastic sandwich bag): 
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa

To Bake: Combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water and stir well. Form into 1 dozen balls. Flatten lightly. Place one inch balls on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes. For frosting, combine frosting mix with 1 1/2 Tablespoons very hot water (more or less depending on how thick you want the frosting). Spread the frosting in-between two peanut butter cookies.
                              


Mint Cocoa brownie bites

For the Mix (quart sized jar):
2 cups buttermilk cookie mix
1/4 cup Baker's Cocoa
3 Tbsp. Mint Hot Cocoa Mix (Stephen's)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips

To Bake: Combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water and stir well. Form into 1 dozen balls. Flatten lightly.  Place one inch balls on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.


7 Grain  Caramel Apple Walnut Cookies

For the Mix (quart sized jar):
1 cup 7 Grain rolled Cereal 
1 cup Buttermilk Cookie Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Freeze Dried Apples (chopped)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 Tbsp.  vanilla caramel non-fat non-dairy creamer powder

To Bake: Combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water and stir well. Form into 1 dozen balls. Flatten lightly. Place one inch balls on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.
                                


Coconut-Chewy Hawaiian Christmas Cookies

For the Mix (pint-sized jar):
1 cup Buttermilk Cookie Mix
1 cup Macaroon Coconut
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. coconut flavored non-fat non-dairy creamer powder

To Bake: Pre-heat oven 350 degrees. Combine cookie mix with 1/4 cup water and stir well. Scoop by the rounded tablespoon onto a lightly greased baking sheet.Bake 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from baking pan.



Dark Chocolate Chip Orange-Brandy Cookies 

For the Mix (quart sized jar): 
2 cup Buttermilk Cookie Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp LorAnn Orange Brandy flavored oil
2 tsp vanilla caramel non-fat non-dairy creamer
1 cup 72% cocoa dark chocolate chips

To Bake: Pre-heat oven 350 degrees. Combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water and stir well. Scoop by the rounded tablespoon onto a lightly greased baking sheet.Bake 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from baking pan.
                                    

Creamy  White Chocolate Eggnog cookies

For the Mix (quart sized jar):
2 cups Buttermilk Cookie Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Sour Cream Powder
1/2 tsp Wise Woman of the East Spice Blend OR 1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup white chocolate chips

To Bake: Pre-heat oven 350 degrees. Combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water and stir well. Scoop by the rounded tablespoon onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from baking pan.



There you go! Make some amazing cookie mixes this season! Enjoy my darlings!



Saturday, November 4, 2017

Citrus Lavender Infused Soft Sugar Cookies with Orange Buttercream


These were one of the cookies at my latest catering event and I had to share the recipe with all of you gorgeous people on the blog.  For one thing, you can never have too many cookie recipes during the holidays. For another thing, do we need another reason to have sugar cookies?! Really?!  I just thought that these little guys just added a lot of character to the dessert table and they were so simple to make!


Citrus and Lavender is probably one of my all-time favorites when it comes to flavor profiles in baking, as long as the lavender isn't so strong that it takes over the finished pastry.  The secret to these cookies is using just one drop of essential oil in the baked cookies and then adding citrus notes. If you use more than a drop, the lavender is too powerful and it takes over the cookies. When I made these for my BFF Gena's Baby Shower, she tasted them and said, "OH these are fabulous! There's just a little something that makes them soooo good but I can't place the flavor. What is it?!" ...and that is how it should be with lavender. Subtle. Sophisticated. Sexy. Are you ready for the secret recipe?


Chef Tess' Citrus Lavender Sugar Cookies

1 ½ cup butter, softened
 ¾ cup granulated sugar
1 ¼ cup brown sugar
3 large eggs
½ cup milk
1 1/2 tsp almond emulsion
1 Tbsp. lemon zest, micro grated
1 drop culinary grade lavender essential oil
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder

Directions: Preheat oven to 375° F.  Wash and sanitize all work surfaces, utensils, and hands before handling raw flour and dough. In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time.  Add emulsion, lemon, lavender, and milk. Stir well. Combine the flour mixture with the creamed butter mixture, just until combined. Scoop by rounded Tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet or sheet lined with parchment paper. Wash and sanitize all work surfaces, utensils and hands after handling raw flour and dough.  Bake until lightly golden, about 10-13 minutes. Allow cooling on the baking sheet about 10 minutes before transferring to another location. Store in an airtight container. Yield approx. 5 dozen cookies.  

Orange Buttercream Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
½ cup butter, softened
1 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. orange emulsion or 5 drops culinary grade orange essential oil
3-4 Tbsp. hot water

Directions: In a large bowl, beat remaining Frosting ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until creamy. Pipe frosting onto cookies. Top with a sprinkle of a few edible gold pearls on each cookie. 

 After they were finished decorating, I added a little flourish of edible gold spray. 
There you go! Make some amazing sugar cookies!

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies with Whole Grain Brown Rice Flour



 It's my mom and dad's wedding anniversary today. As a random side note that has nothing to do with cookies...um...yeah. So congrats to the happy couple for 39 years of insane coolness. The best parents ever! Don't they look super young?!


As many of you know, my sweet Sister has been dealing with a whole new life of gluten free baking. I received some  Certified Gluten Free Brown Rice Flour  to play with a little while ago and have been really enjoying coming up with Chef Tess magic new recipes that will work for Emily. I love that it's whole grain! Such a nutritional boost.  Now, Em is also diabetic. She can't have a lot of sweets, however, these can be made with alternative sweeteners. Emily will be happy. They're thick and fudgy with a really  nice texture. One thing I noticed with the brown rice flour is that this particular milling from Honeyville Farms out in California is pretty fine. I've had other rice flour that was too grainy. I did get it here local at the Honeyville Farms store in Chandler where I teach my cooking classes.  I've really had some great success with it.  Let's chew some gum for a minute.
The use of xhanthan gum is a great replacement for gluten in baking products. It somewhat mimics the way gluten proteins react in a baking medium by suspending the starches. A little goes a long way. It is gluten free. It can be purchased in most grocery store locations in the baking section.

Chef Tess' Gluten Free Brown Rice
 Classic Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Cookies
1 tsp  Xanthan Gum ( 5ml)
 1 tsp Salt ( 5mg)
1 tsp baking powder (5ml)
1/2 cup (4 oz) melted butter (125 ml)
1 1/2 cup Dark brown sugar ( 375 ml)
2 whole egg ( 125ml)
1 tsp pure bourbon vanilla ( 5 ml)
2 cups dark chocolate chips or chunks ( 500ml)



 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl combine the brown rice flour, xanathan gum, salt, and baking powder. In a separate bowl whisk the melted butter, dark brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix the brown rice flour mixture with the egg/sugar mixture. Stir well. Add the chocolate chips. Scoop cookies (36g each or 2T/30ml) onto a lightly oiled cookie sheet with 1 inch between cookies. Lightly flatten cookies with your hand. Bake 9-10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Keep in an air tight container. Yield 2 dozen cookies.
These Orange Gingerbread cookies are thick and chewy. When you use the Wise Woman of the East spice blend it gives a subtle hint of rose petal and lavender to these already beautiful creations. Enjoy!

 Chef Tess Gluten Free Brown Rice Orange Gingerbread Cookies
1 tsp Xanthan Gum ( 5ml)
1 tsp Salt (5ml)
 1 tsp baking powder (5ml)
2 tsp Chef Tess Wise Woman of the East Spice Blend ( 10 ml)
 1/2 tsp ground ginger (½ tsp or 2.5ml)
 2 tsp fresh orange zest (2tsp 10ml)
1/2 cup (4 oz) melted butter (125 ml)
 Dark brown sugar ( 375 ml)
 2 T molasses (30ml)
 2 whole egg ( 125ml)
1 tsp  pure bourbon vanilla (1 tsp)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
 In a large bowl combine the brown rice flour, xanathan gum, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and orange zest.
 In a separate bowl whisk the melted butter, dark brown sugar, molasses, eggs and vanilla. Mix the brown rice flour mixture with the egg/sugar mixture. Stir well. Mixture will be thick. scoop cookies (36g each or 2T/30ml) and round with hands into balls. Roll the balls of dough in sugar. Transfer to a lightly oiled cookie sheet with 1 inch between cookies. Lightly flatten cookies to ½ inch thick with your hand. Bake 9-10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Keep in an air tight container.
Yield 2 dozen cookies.


There you  go Auntie Em! Oh...and Yes! I am working on the Chef Tess Approved gluten free bread. It's coming soon I swear!! 

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Gifts of Impeccable Taste (Class Notes)





I'm sharing the class notes from my Honeyville Farms class here. Many of the recipes make amazing scratch mixes and some use Honeyville's bulk mixes as a base. Enjoy!

Gifts of Impeccable Taste

Holiday Mix Making 101
Giving a gift is an extension of who you are. It reflects a lot about your heart and your feelings toward another. It is something that can show your love and gratitude. It is something that can also be hard on your family budget if done incorrectly. I think one of the best things I ever started doing was making mixes for gift giving!
Why Make Mixes?
  • Budget Friendly
  • Control Ingredients
  • Show Creativity
  • Convenient to Give and Receive (I don't need to eat them right away).
  • Save Time
  • Easily incorporated into Long Term Food Storage
How Do You Package Mixes?

  • Mason Jars and Up-cycled Glass Jars
    be creative with the ties, lids and more! You can have a lot of fun with ceramic paint on the outside of jars. Just be sure not to use it inside as most are not food grade. Or...just wrap it really funky with the scrap book paper! How easy is that?
  • Gift Bags/lunch sacks or Goodie Bags

  • Gift Basket Sets...
  • Up-cycled containers
    Tins, canisters, boxes, and more...most often I employ the use of my friendly neighborhood contact paper! It's like a giant sticker that changes any container into a up-cycled
  • Fabric Bags
    Fabric bags can add a lot of great texture and color to a gift. They don't have to be expensive. I find them many times at the dollar and discount stores. Antique stores are also great for this!
  • Hot pads
    These are the best "fabric bag" for a practical gift mix! It doubles as the tool to take the cookies out of the oven! Check the discount stores. They go in sale big time this time of year!
My Beginner's Gourmet Recipe Collection
MY Chef Tess VERSION OF “BISQUICK”

9 c all purpose flour (organic whole wheat...if you want whole grain wheat use pastry wheat flour, or if you use hard wheat, you will need to replace one c of wheat flour with cornstarch) 2 cups shortening powder OR Butter Powder 1/3 c baking powder 4tsp salt 1 c fat free powdered milk (optional). Combine all ingredients to make the mix.
  • For biscuits: 2 c mix, 1/2 -3/4 c cold water (depending on the flour*), bake 425 10-12 minutes; up to 1T seasoning, Freeze Dried cheese or dehydrated green onion.
  • Pancakes: 2 c mix, 1 c water-- hot griddle; (up to ½ cup freeze dried berries. Let batter sit 5 minutes before making pancakes). “Spiced” use ½ tsp Wise Woman or ginger powder.
  • Muffins: 1 1/2 c mix, 2T egg powder, ¾ c water. 425 15-20 minutes; (add 1/3 cup sugar for sweet muffins)
  • Cobblers: 1 3/4 c mix, 1 tsp powdered vanilla, 1/3 c sugar or ganulated fructose, 3/4 c water, mix just until combined. Put over 4 c of fruit or fruit filling in a 9 inch by 9 inch casserole. 375 35-40 minutes;
  • Scones: 2 c mix, 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 c water, (flavor agents of choice, like cinnamon, currants, dried cherries, chocolate chips...) Roll out in circle 1/2 inch thick and cut into wedges. Bake 425 10-12 minutes. an infused sugar ( I love vanilla sugar with rose petal and cardamom).
*Note that whole wheat flour will require an addition of about 2 T of water per 1cup called for due to the fiber content and it's amazing ability to soak up the water. Note on coconut oil: this is a good for you oil, just add it in a steady stream while your mixer is going. Lower fat is good right?
Variations On Honeyville Pancake Mix
Honeyville Pancake mix makes an excellent substitute for homemade mix and can easily be turned into gourmet pancake mixes to give during the holidays! I put 2 cups of Honeyville pancake mix in “goodie baggies” and make the following variations.
Spiced Peach Pecan pancake Mix : 1 scoop Honeyville peaches and cream smoothie mix and ½ cup chopped pecans and 1 tsp Chef Tess Wise Woman of The East
Peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes: 3T dehydrated peanut butter and ½ cup mini chocolate chips.
Gingered-Mixed Berry almond pancake mix: 1 scoop Honeyville Mixed Berry Smoothie mix, ½ cup chopped almonds, ½ tsp ginger, ½ tsp Chef Tess Wise Woman of the East Spice Blend
Apple Spice 6 grain pancake mix: ½ cup rolled 6 grain and ¼ cup freeze dried apple (crushed or pulsed in a spice mill to be a powder) ½ tsp Wise Woman of the East Spice Blend
Spiced Sweet Potato Pancakes: ½ cup freeze dried sweet potato (pulsed in a spice mill until a powder) ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp ginger, ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice. Or use 1 tsp Chef Tess Wise Woman for the spice. 1 tsp vanilla or maple powder.
To Prepare Pancakes: Combine Pancake Mix with 1 ½ cups water (add more or less water depending on how thick you like your pancakes). Preheat electric griddle to 375 degrees. Oil griddle and bake pancakes. Serve with syrup, cream and nuts if desired.


Chef Tess Magic Fudge Mix 
2 lb powdered sugar
1 cup Honeyville powdered butter
2 cups baker's cocoa
1 tsp salt
1 tsp double strength vanilla, 1/2 tsp rum extract
1/2 tsp chef Tess 
Wise Woman of The East Spice Blend
pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Mix directions:
Combine all ingredients  until well blended. Place in a gallon size freezer bag. I store the bags in the fridge or freezer. Great gift for the holidays! When the holiday get closer, I simply slip the mix into a fabric bag with the directions to mix on a cute tag. Give it away not just for the winter holidays, but for Mother's Day. Father's Day. Tuesday.
To prepare:
Put mix in a microwave safe bowl with 3/4 cup water and heat about 2 minutes stirring well. Heat one more minute. In the meantime line an 8 inch by 8 inch cake pan with foil then spray the foil with nonstick coating. Pour the melted mix into the foil lined pan and top with nuts or dried fruit if desired. Leave pan out to cool 3-4 hours or overnight. Remove from the pan, and take off the foil. Cut into 1 inch squares, yield 4 dozen love bombs. about 4 lbs of fudge.
Cookie Mixes
Chef Tess Bakeresse Extra Moist Buttermilk Cookie Mix
9 cups all purpose flour (or nine grain flour),1 ¼ cup Honeyville whole egg powder, 1 ¼ cup buttermilk powder or instant milk powder
1 ½ cup Honeyville vanilla pudding mix, 3T baking powder, 1T salt, 4 cup Honeyville butter powder, 2T LorAnn Princess Emulsion (optional) ,3 cups sugar or Honeyville dehydrated honey
Combine all ingredients well. This mix will make 20 cups of cookie mix. I use 2 cups of mix per gourmet cookie mix. This recipe will make 10 bags of plain sugar cookie mix.
Chef Tess White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Coconut Lime Verbana Cookie Mix
2 cups buttermilk cookie mix, ½ cup macadamia nuts, 1 cup white chocolate chips, ½ cup coconut flakes, 2 tsp lime zest (fine grated, dehydrated 24 hours in a dry room) Combine the zest in with the cookie mix. Put in the bottom of a quart mason jar. Top with Macadamia nuts, chocolate and coconut layer. Seal tightly. To bake, combine with 1/3 cup water. Place one inch balls of dough on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.
Chef Tess Peanut butter toffee Crunch Cookie Mix
2 cups buttermilk cookie mix, ¼ cup peanut butter powder,¼ cup Heath Bar Toffee bits
Combine well. Put in quart size storage bag or mason jar.
Bake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium size bowl combine cookie mix with 1/3 cup water, just until combined. Drop by Tablespoon on ungreased cookie sheets, 1 inch apart. Yield 1 dozen cookies. Bake 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
Chef Tess Dark Chocolate Orange 4 grain Cookie Mix
2 cups buttermilk cookie mix,1 cup 4 grain rolled cereal (or quick oats),1 cup dark chocolate chips,2 tsp dry orange zest
Put 2 cups cookie mix in the bottom of a quart size mason jar. Add a layer of 4 grain cereal, a layer of chocolate chips and the orange zest. Seal tight. To bake: Combine cookie mix with ½ cup water. Drop by rounded Tablespoon on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 375 degrees 10-12 minutes.


Chef Tess Homemade Brownie Mix
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour, 1 cup Honeyville Dehydrated butter, 2/3 cup Honeyville whole egg powder,1 tsp salt 2/3 c cocoa powder, 1 c white sugar 1/2 c chocolate chips, 2T vanilla pudding mix.
Combine all ingredients and blend well. TO MAKE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x
13 inch pan. Empty brownie mix into a large mixing bowl, and stir to blend. Mix in ¾ cup water, just until combined. Mix thoroughly. Spread batter evenly into prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely in pan before cutting.
Gourmet Deluxe Variations on a Honeyville Brownie Mix
(You get 3* mixes per 7 lb bag):
4 ½ cups Honeyville brownie Mix

Raspberry Red Velvet and white chocolate Brownies: Add 1 packet raspberry kool-aid, ½ cup freeze dried (crushed) raspberries and ½ tsp dehydrated orange zest. 1 cup white chocolate chips or chunks.
Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies: Add ½ cup dehydrated peanut butter and add 1 cup salted peanuts to the mix.
Pecan Turtle Brownies: Add 1 cup chopped pecans to the mix. In a separate bag provide 1 cup caramel bits (by Kraft). Prepare brownie mix. Bake. Remove from oven and top with caramel bits while still warm.
To prepare: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine brownie mix with 2 eggs, ¼ cup water and ½ cup vegetable oil in a bowl. Mix until well combined. Spread into a greased 9 inch by 13 inch baking sheet 30-35 minutes.
*If you make smaller mixes you can get 6 mixes. Just use 2 ¼ cup mix, cut “add in” ingedients in half. Use 1 egg, 2T water and ¼ cup vegetable oil. Bake in an 8 inch by 8 inch pan. 15-20 minutes.

Chef Stephanie Petersen's Homemade Gourmet Chocolate Cake Mix 

yield 18 cups mix (4 1/2 mixes total)
2 cup Honeyville powdered butter , 6 cups (1 lb 11 oz) all purpose cake flour, 3 cups (11.5 oz) baking cocoa, 1 cup ( 4.5 oz) instant milk powder
5 cups(2 lb) granulated sugar, 4 tsp salt, 1/3 cup (2 oz) baking powder, 1T double strength vanilla ( or vanilla bean paste),1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp cayenne pepper
To prepare mix: In a large 3 gallon or larger bowl, combine the powdered butter,  flour, cocoa, dry milk
sugar, baking powder and salt, cardamom and cayenne very well. Divide into quart size bags.
 2o oz of mix equals one cake mix. This is almost exactly 4 cups of measured mix.
To bake:
Combine with 3 eggs ( or 6T of powdered egg hydrated with ¾ cup of water)
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
200 strokes by hand or 3 minutes medium speed.
Bake time 350 degrees:
Pan size: 2 8 inch 33-35 minutes
2 9 inch 28-31 minutes
13 by 9 inch 32-35 minutes
bunt 38-43 minutes
24 cupcakes 18-21 minutes
High altitude: stir 1/4 cup all purpose flour into mix. Mix as directed
Gourmet Chocolate Cake Mix Variations

Chef Tess Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies:
4 cups Chef Tess Chocolate Cake mix, 2T Honeyville dehydrated egg powder, 1 cup chocolate chips (high quality) ½ cup chopped hazelnuts
To prepare you will need : ½ cup water and ¼ cup melted butter.
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cookie mix, melted butter and water in a bowl. Drop by heaping Tablespoon onto greased cookie sheets. Bake until set but still soft in the center, 8-10 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool on pan 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool completely.
White chocolate Sundried Cherry-Almond chewy cookies: 4 cups Chef Tess Cake Mix, 2T Honeyville whole egg powder, 1 cup white chocolate chips, 1/2cup chopped almonds ½ cup sundried cherries. To prepare you will need ½ cup water and ¼ cup melted butter. Place rack in center of oven. Preheat to 350 degrees. Combine melted butter and water with the cookie mix. Drop by rounded Tablespoon onto greased cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven. Allow to cool 2-3 minutes on pan. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

Chef Tess Chocolate Macaroon Bar Mix: 4 cups Chef Tess Chocolate Cake Mix,2 T Honeyville whole egg powder, ½ tsp almond extract.Macaroon Topping mix: 1 ½ cup macaroon coconut, ¼ cup honeyville whole egg powder. Separate bag of 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. To prepare crust you will need 1c melted butter and ¼ cup water. For topping ½ cup cool water. Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine crust mix with 1 cup melted butter and ¼ cup water. Spread into the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. The batter will be thick. For the topping, combine with ½ cup cool water and mix until very combined. Spread over the chocolate crust mixture. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake until the coconut mixture sets, 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 1 hour. Yield 24 bars.
Honeyville Gourmet White Cake Mix Variations
Honeyville white cake mix not only makes great cake, it can be used for dessert mixes as well. Here are a few of my favorite variations!


Chef Tess Jam Crumble Bar Mix: 4 cups Honeyville White cake mix, 1 cups sugar, 1 cup Honeyville quick oats or 4 grain cereal mix, ½ cup dehydrated honey, ¼ cup Honeyville whole egg powder, 1 tsp Chef Tess Wise Woman of the East. To prepare you will need 1/4 cup water, 1 cup melted butter and 2 cups jam (any flavor) 1 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the crumble bar mix in a large bowl and combine with water and melted butter until combined (about a minute). The mixture will be thick. Reserve 11/2 cup for the topping. Using fingertips, press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan so it reaches all sides. Spread the jam over the the mixture in a layer with a spatula. Pinch off pieces of the reserved crust mixture and scatter over the jam. Bake until light brown and bubbling, 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool 30 minutes before cutting. Yield 24 bars.
Wise Woman's Snickerdoodle Blondies:
Bar mix: 4 cups Honeyville white cake mix, ¼ cup Honeyville whole egg powder. Spiced sugar mix: 1T chef Tess Wise Woman of the East spice blend ¼ cup sugar To prepare you will need: ½ cup melted butter and ½ cu water
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch by 13 baking pan. Combine Bar mix with melted butter and water until just combined. Spread into baking pan. Sprinkle with Spice sugar mixture

Chef Tess Butterscotch Pistachio Scotchies Mix:
4 cups Honeyville white cake mix, ¼ cup dehydrated honey, ¼ cup Honeyville whole egg powder, 1 tsp butterscotch flavored oil or powder. In a separate bag: 1 cup salted pistachio, 1 cup butterscotch chips
To prepare you will need 1 9 by 13 inch baking pan, 1/2 cup water, ½ cup melted butter
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine Mix with water in a bowl until smooth, about 2 minutes by hand. Transfer batter to 9 by 13 inch baking pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the bars with the pistachio and butterscotch chips. Bake until golden brown, 27-29 minutes. Allow to cool 30 minutes before cutting. Yield 24 bars.
Candy-land Bars Mix: 4 cups Honeyville white cake mix ,½ cup dehydrated honey, ¼ cup Honeyville whole egg powder, ¼ cup Honeyville butter powder. In a separate baggie: 2 cups chopped candy bar pieces (Butterfinger, Mounds or Almond Joy, Snickers, Zero or Reese's Peanut butter cups). To Prepare you will need: ½ cup melted butter, ½ cup water and 1 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine bar mix with melted butter and water until just combined. Spread mixture into a well greased 9 by 13 inch pan and sprinkle with candy bar pieces. Bake until golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool about an hour before cutting. Yield 24 bars.
Chef Tess Gourmet Paradise Oatmeal Mac-Nut Cookies
4 cups Honeyville white cake mix, ¼ cup Honeyville whole egg powder,1 cup all purpose flour, ¾ cup quick oats, ¼ cup crushed cornflakes, ¼ cup coconut flakes,1 cup whole macadamia nuts,1 cup white chocolate chips. To prepare you will need ¾ cup melted butter, ½ cup water. Directions: Combine cookie mix with melted butter and water. Dough will be thick. Drop by heaping teaspoon two inches apart on a cookie sheet (you may use a cookie scoop). Bake until golden brown 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Cool on baking sheet 2-3 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.

Chef Tess Christmas Mulled Apple Cider Bundt Cake Mix with Lemon Glaze
4 cups Honeyville white cake mix, ½ cup honevyille vanilla pudding mix, ½ cup honeyville whole egg powder, 1 ½ tsp Chef Tess Wise Woman of the East Spice blend. Glaze mix: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 T Honeyville lemonade powder.
To prepare cake you will need: 2 cups high quality apple cider, ½ cup olive oil, 1 Bundt pan, flour for dusting the pan. To prepare glaze you will need: 2T hot water.Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist Bundt pan with non-stick spray and dust with flour. Shake out excess flour and set aside. Place the cake mix in a mixer and combine with apple cider and olive oil, mixing on low speed 30 seconds and then increase to medium speed 2 minutes, scraping down sides again. The batter should be thick and well combined. Pour into pan, place in oven and bake 42-48 minutes. Remove pan from oven and place on wire rack to cool. Meanwhile prepare the glaze by combining the mix with 2T hot water and mixing until smooth. Inver the cake onto a platter while it is still warm and pour the glaze over the cake. Garnish with spices, and fruit if desired. Slice and serve.
My Favorite Soup Mixes for the Holidays
Warm and Bright Holiday Greetings: I give the jar wrapped in a shiny paper and tied with a gold bow. In a gift basket I'll include a wooden spoon with a red handle tied with gingham and some garlic-cheese biscuit mix.
Chef Tess Creamy Tomato Soup Mix
In a quart jar with an oxygen absorber packet:
1/2 c flour (or 1/4 cup cornstarch or Ultra Gel ) 1 1/2 c nonfat dry milk powder 1/2 c tomato powder 1 bay leaf 1 T dehydrated onion ¼ tsp celery seed 2 tsp granulated garlic 2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp pepper 2 tsp thyme 2 T MSG free bullion (optional) (omit previous salt if you use bullion)
I keep this mix in jars sealed and labeled for a quick dinner anytime of the year. They keep fresh up to a year (for best flavor) so please be sure to label and date clearly.
To prepare, combine soup mix with 6 cups water (for a richer cream soup, use milk) and whisk until combined over medium heat. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Add any flavor variations you like: 2 cups chopped broccoli or cauliflower, potatoes, corn, carrots, chicken, clams, crumbled bacon. If you want a cheese soup, be sure it gets added only at the very end after
soup is off the heat or it will be grainy.
Country Style Holiday Greetings: I give this one wrapped in gingham with rustic wood ornament and a wooden spoon. In a gift basket I'll also add some homemade biscuit mix.
Chef Tess Country Style Beef Stew In a Jar
In a quart jar with an oxygen-absorber packet:
1 c Honeyville instant red beans, 1 c Honeyville freeze dried mixed vegetables, ¾ cup Honeyville Freeze Dried diced beef, 1 c Honeyville dehydrated diced potatoes, ¼ c Honeyville dehydrated onions. Seasonings I shake down into the jar: ½ c tomato powder 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp garlic ¼ c flour 1 T beef bullion. It will fit if you shake it really well. yield 12 one cup servings
Layer all in a clean quart canning jar. Place 1 oxygen packet on top and close tightly using a canning lid and ring. Shelf stable at 65-70 degrees for 6-7 years. To prepare Country Style Beef Stew: In a gallon pot, combine stew mix with 6 c water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes. Works great in a solar oven. Bake one hour.
Warmest Holiday Greetings: I give this one wrapped in funky red pepper fabric, Raffia bow with a bag of corn chips in a basket. Often, I embellish this one with poinsettia and Mexican yarn puff balls or tissue paper flowers.

Chef Tess Taco Soup Mix in a Jar

In Quart jar with an oxygen-absorber packet:
2 c Honeyville instant Red Beans 1 c Taco TVP meat 1/2 c Dehydrated Onion 1/3 c Freeze Dried Mixed Peppers 3/4 c Freeze Dried Corn 1/2 c Tomato Powder 1 T homemade taco seasoning
Put a funnel on the mouth of a quart jar the ingredients into the jar When you get to the tomato powder, just shake the jar so it works its way into the cracks. Add an oxygen packet. Seal. Good on the shelf in a cool place up to 5-7 years. To prepare,Taco Soup: place contents of jar in a gallon pot in a solar oven or on the stove. Add 2 quarts of water and simmer 20-30 minutes until veggies are tender. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa if desired.
Cheesy Holiday Greetings: I give this one with a bright orange or yellow gingham bow, a small jar of freeze dried cheddar cheese and a bag of cheese biscuit mix in a basket.

Creamy Potato Cheese and Ham with Rosemary Soup mix
in a quart jar with an oxygen absorber packet:
3 cups Honeyville Creamy Potato soup mix
1 cup Honeyville Freeze Dried Ham (do not use the ham TVP for this)
1 bay leaf. 1 tsp dehydrated rosemary 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Directions: Combine soup mix with 10 cups cool water, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Yield 12 cups soup.

There you go! Enjoy a very Merry Christmas! Xoxo!

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess