Glazed Oatmeal Cookies - #SweetSurprise

I decided to nominate my own Sweet Surprise recipient this month! Remember my Zest and Zing Recap last week? The tickets were actually won by Angela of Tulips & Rain. She couldn't attend and passed the tickets to me.

And for that I thought she deserved something special. I'm kinda ruining the surprise by posting this this know seeing as how I just mailed the cookies this morning. However, there might be a few other little surprises in the package.

Monster Crunch Bars - Another #SweetSurprise

It's time for another #SweetSurprise. If you're new, I accept nominations for someone in your life that could use a Sweet Surprise. Then, once a month I review all the submissions and then I bake and mail baked goods to that person!

This month I'm baking for Kim who just had her second baby. Congrats, Kim! Let's see what Laura had to say about her nominee, Kim:

Kim is my best friend from high school and is getting ready to welcome baby #2 in March! She is a mom to a sweet 2 1/2 year old, as well as a busy doctor. A sweet treat would be the perfect surprise for her on maternity leave!

Butterfinger Puppy Chow - #SweetSurprise #2

It's time for my March Sweet Surprise! For those of you that are new to my Sweet Surprise, this is my way of sharing baked goods with others. Not just with my blog but by actually baking and mailing the treats to a real person.

I'm always accepting nominations for a Sweet Surprise. Each month I review ALL nominations and select one. Oh, and, all current nominations remain in the running, so if I didn't pick your nominee this month it could be next month.

Kristen nominated her best friend, Rhonda, and had this to say...

Rhonda has been my most wonderful best friend in the world for 19 years. We talk everyday and share a love of cooking and baking. She lives in Wisconsin and I live in Texas so we miss each other so much. A sweet surprise from you would be a nice surprise to her and remind her how special and sweet she is.

Thanks for your nomination, Kristen! That is one big positive to technology: we're able to stay connected with our friends and family no mater where we are. When I emailed Rhonda to get her mailing address I discovered she also works in real estate, what a small world. If I ever move to Wisconsin I know who I'll call!

I decided to send Rhonda a big bag of this Butterfinger Puppy Chow. I don't make puppy chow often; to dangerous to keep in the house. So knowing that I was sending it to someone else was perfect. This puppy chow blows any puppy chow out of the water because it has BUTTERFINGER bars added. Soooo peanut buttery and delicious.

Don't forget to nominate someone for a Sweet Surprise!

Butterfinger Puppy Chow

7 cups corn or rice chex cereal
12 fun size Butterfinger bars
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
12 ounces milk chocolate chips
3 cups powdered sugar (more/less depending on preference)

Dump cereal into a large bowl with a lid. (This is my favorite.) Unwrap candy bars and cut each into 3 pieces (there will be chunks and crumbs, that's perfect), set aside.

Place the butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, heat another 30 seconds, stir, and heat additional 30 second bursts until mixture is smooth.

Pour mixture over cereal. Use a spatula to stir to coat the cereal.

Sprinkle coated cereal with 1 cup powdered sugar, seal the lid and shake the container. Remove lid, break up big chunks, sprinkle with an additional cup of powdered sugar and shake again. Add in Butterfinger pieces and shake sealed container again. Add an additional cup of powdered sugar and shake one more time if you like it extra sugary.

Source: Crumbs and Chaos

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Chocolate Chip Cookies and the First #SweetSurprise

I'm so excited for this post! I just mailed these delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies to a lovely family for my first Sweet Surprise!

As a recap, I'm always accepting nominations for a Sweet Surprise. This is someone that you think deserves something special, like cookies baked by me and mailed to their door for free. Each month I review ALL nominations and select one.

I truly enjoyed reading each of the nominations and it was definitely a hard decision. The best part is that all current nominations remain in the running, so if I didn't pick your nominee this month it could be next month!

Leann nominated her brother and his family and had this to say...

"My brother, his wife, AND their kids have given so much of themselves for our country while serving in the USMC.  They have served numerous tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He missed the birth of his first daughter when he was headed to Iraq after 911 - before war was even declared. At one time both were gone simultaneously to different countries leaving behind 3 kids under the age of 5! The kids were shuffled between Maine and Florida to spend time with family members. My brother recently retired (before the age of 45!) and his wife is still serving. They were relocated a few months ago for Pam to go to school for the USMC. I know that Pam working her butt off and the family is busy too. I think this might just be a very nice and "sweet surprise" for the entire family!"

While a couple dozen cookies can't thank Pam, Mark, and their children for all that they've given so that we can live the life we do, I do hope the cookies bring a smile to their face and tummies. I would love for you to leave a comment on this post with a kind word and I'll make sure it gets to the family.

And, I'm instant friends with them because of our shared love for Chocolate Chip Cookies. :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening (or unsalted butter)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
4 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I used 1/2 semi sweet and 1/2 white chips.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mats. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter and sugars until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix to combine.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low. Mix until fully incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. The dough will be thick.

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto prepared cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake one cookie sheet at at a time for 12-15 minutes or until just starting to turn light brown. Allow cookies to cool on the rack for a minute or two before transferring to a cooling rack.

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Source: My Grandma's Recipe Box

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Introducing Sweet Surprises!

Do you know someone that could use a surprise? How about a surprise that involves dessert? I'm excited to introduce Sweet Surprises! 

Sweet Surprises lets you nominate someone to receive baked goods in the mail, for free. Each month I'll review the nominations and select one lucky person. Then, I'll contact that lucky person and arrange their special delivery. 

All you need to do is nominate someone and I'll take care of the rest. See, look how easy it is...

Click Here to Nominate Someone Today!