Hot Chocolate Cookies

I baked! It happens so rarely that I feel like it requires skywriting with “I did a thing”! In full disclosure, I did not make this recipe up but I’m not 100% sure of the origins. Ms. L gets all the credit as these are a staple in her arsenal of skills. I tweaked ever-so-slightly. They were great!
The Three Bite Rule - Hot Chocolate Cookies

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients: (makes 4 dozen)

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 sticks room temperature butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/4 cups flour
4 packages Hot Chocolate Mix (not sugar free)
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups mini marshmallows

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
Cream together sugars and butter until fluffy. Add eggs & vanilla.
In another bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Slowly add dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
Add chocolate chips.
Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silpat. Bake for ~7 minutes.
Lightly press a few marshmallows in the top of each ball. Bake for another 4 minutes. Let cool for 1 minute on the tray, then on a cooling rack.
Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Hot Chocolate Cookies
These were so good! I loved them and will definitely make them again. It seemed too mentally taxing for me to have 2 timers going for 2 rounds each so I just cooked 1 tray at a time. Had it been daytime, maybe I could have handled more than that.

They were perfectly cooked, and super cute amongst their cookie friends at a swap. I made 3 dozen for the swap and froze the rest to bake for Santa!

Easiest Peach Cobbler

And by peach, I always mean nectarine, but it doesn’t have the same ring to it. I don’t do peach fuzz but eat lots ‘o nectarines. This is a foolproof dessert…that comes from a non-baker. It was fantastic to make a tiny one or make a full size one for a crowd! I loved it and will whip it up again soon- I’m thinking blueberries before it is apple season! The little dude thinks chocolate, but it won’t work the same. 🙂

There are lots of “dump cakes” around the internet. I just had to share because who doesn’t need a foolproof dessert option in your back pocket?! Also, it’d be easy to make 2 varsities at the same time if you don’t want half a box of cake mix hanging around until your next one!

The Three Bite Rule - Easiest Peach Cobbler

Easiest Fruit Cobbler

Ingredients: (serves ~4)

2-3 peaches/nectarines
2 teaspoons of white sugar
1/2 box cake mix
1/2 stick of butter

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Slice the peaches and lay into a small baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray (a pie plate or 9×9 would work).
The Three Bite Rule - Easiest Peach Cobbler
Sprinkle the peaches with sugar then sprinkle half the cake mix onto the peaches.
Slice the butter and lay slices across the top.
The Three Bite Rule - Easiest Peach Cobbler
Bake for ~20 minutes. Check that the whole top is getting nicely brown. Bake another 5 if needed for a light brown crust.
The Three Bite Rule - Easiest Peach CobblerThe Three Bite Rule - Easiest Peach Cobbler
Enjoy! Serve warm or room temperature.

The little guy had this twice and I had it about 3 times. We added whipped cream on top and loved it. He liiiiives for dessert and it was fun to have something special/different and fitting for the season without making a ton. Mr. J would head towards ice cream or an Oreo before this- unless served at a dinner party or holiday etc.

Frozen fruit (peaches, mixed berries, cherries, blueberries) would be great too and make it super convenient to whip up quickly. I tucked the other half of the cake mix away for another day but need to keep this these ratios in mind!

The Everything Cookie Brownie Bars

Today I bring you a dessert I made during the holidays but thought it was a good choice for the day my little man turns 4! Woah! He’s just as sweet as these chocolate chip cookie + oreo + brownies.

The Three Bite Rule - Everything Cookie Brownie Bars

Everything Cookie Brownie Bars

Ingredients:

1 roll of chocolate chip cookie dough (brought to room temperature)
2/3 package of Oreos
1 box brownie mix, prepared as instructed

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
Spread the cookie dough into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, sprayed with non-stick spray.
The Three Bite Rule - Everything Cookie Brownie Bars
Then line up Oreos across the cookie base.
The Three Bite Rule - Everything Cookie Brownie Bars

Mix up the brownie mix with eggs, oil, and water, as directed.
Pour the brownie batter on top being careful to pour it all over (it doesn’t spread well without disrupting the Oreos).
The Three Bite Rule - Everything Cookie Brownie Bars
Bake for about 45 minutes.
Let cool completely, then cut and enjoy!
The Three Bite Rule - Everything Cookie Brownie Bars
I loved this but cooked mine a smidge long for my liking. Go for 45ish minutes. I left mine in for about 55 and that might be too much. I’d also like a bit more cookie on the base so next time I might do 1 & 1/2 rolls of cookie dough…I’m sure the remainder won’t go to waste. 😉

These would be a natural birthday dessert offering for a now-4-year-old, but we’ll have leftover cake, complete with party hats even just for the 3 of us who can sit upright on our own. I’d imagine the babe might get a hat for a few minutes…and a dog or two might partake as well.

Quick Cheesecake Mousse Parfaits with Strawberries

I’m backkkk! I whipped up these super quick cheesecake mousse parfaits and can see them showing up on occasion since these are so tasty and so simple. They’d be easy to customize. I nabbed the end of strawberry season which made me love these that much more but top as you like your cheesecake- any berry, chocolate sauce, caramel drizzle, or whatever!

The Three Bite Rule - Cheesecake Mousse Parfaits

Cheesecake Mousse Parfaits with Strawberries

Ingredients: (for 4-6 servings)

1 box cheesecake pudding mix (prepared according to package)
2 cups strawberries
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon sugar
4 oz cool whip (1/2 of a container)
1 cup granola

Directions:

Mix the pudding according to the package and refrigerate.
Slice the strawberries and stir in water and sugar. Refrigerate until serving.
The Three Bite Rule - Cheesecake Mousse Parfaits
Before serving, mix in the cool whip. Serve mousse with strawberries and top with a sprinkle of granola.
The Three Bite Rule - Cheesecake Mousse ParfaitsEnjoy!

Swap out the granola for graham cracker crumbles or vanilla cookie crumbles too.

I had this on the brain for awhile but whipped it up (literally, whipped the pudding! Ha!) on a random weeknight. Now I’d be ready to bring this anywhere. It’d pack really well to mix just before serving.

Psssst! Use the rest of the cool whip for this lemon fruit dip!

Mint Coconut Macaroons

My colleague brought macaroons into the office and there were regular and mint with mini chocolate chips. They were SO good and it got me thinking that with so few ingredients I should try making them! They worked, though it was a little touch and go there.
The Three Bite Rule - Mint Chip Macaroons

Macaroons = (mac-a-roooon) easy, minimal ingredients- mostly coconut & egg whites
Macarons = (mac-ron) complex, French,

Mint Chocolate Chips Coconut Macaroons (makes 12 large, or 24 small)

Ingredients:

4 egg whites
1/2 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 drops green food coloring
4 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
With a hand or stand mixer, whisk together the eggwhites, sugar, salt, extracts, and food coloring until frothy.
The Three Bite Rule - Mint Chip Macaroons
By hand, stir in the coconut and the chocolate chips.
The Three Bite Rule - Mint Chip Macaroons
Scoop onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking sheet.
The Three Bite Rule - Mint Chip Macaroons
Bake ~25 minutes until toasted. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.
Enjoy!

I freaked when I saw some liquid spreading out around them. They seariously each got a little skirt. I don’t know what that was. I lifted the cookie part that stayed together off the pan and they were good. They were delicious. I loved the mint amount – nothing like mouthwash.
The Three Bite Rule - Mint Chip Macaroons

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

I’m not hosting Easter so I figured I’d bring a little dessert and these cookies could not be easier. Seriously, I’m no baker so the cheat is cake mix. I made the same with red velvet mix that are always such a hit and I was thinking this would be a fun variation. Since I don’t bake often, I like that the dough is always the same instead of my butter temperature vastly impacting the texture like in some doughs!

The Three Bite Rule - Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Lemon Crinkle Cookies (makes ~24 cookies)

Ingredients:

1 box lemon cake mix
2 tablespoons of flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla (or lemon) extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
Mix the cake mix, flour, eggs, oil, and extract with a stand or hand mixer until well combined.
The Three Bite Rule - Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Take heaping tablespoons of dough and roll into balls then roll in the powdered sugar.
The Three Bite Rule - Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Place onto a baking sheet ~2 inches apart.
Bake 9 minutes and let sit 1 minute out of oven, then cool on a cooling rack.
The Three Bite Rule - Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Enjoy!

I love how soft and lightly flavored these are! The lemon flavor would really be amped up with lemon extract (I used vanilla) and lemon zest but I took the seriously easy route. Also a box makes ~24 cookies so it is just 2 pans into the oven. I set 2 timers and didn’t leave anything to chance.

The Three Bite Rule - Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Mini Fruit Tarts

I’m back! I’ve resurfaced for air now that work is quieting down. Phew! I made these cute buggers back for Easter, and I took a little shortcut to make them even easier. I used sugar cookie dough for the bottom and it made them come together so quickly! I baked the cookie base the night before and whipped up the pastry cream. The Three Bite Rule - Mini Fruit Tarts

Sugar Cookie Fruit Tarts

Ingredients:

refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon light colored jelly (apricot, marmalade, apple, peach)

Directions:

Warm the milk over medium low heat until it steams, but doesn’t boil.
Whisk together the sugar, flour, salt and egg yolks into a paste.  (I used a stand mixer.) Add in a little of the milk and keep mixing. Pour in the rest of the milk slowly while mixing.
Pour it back into the pot and warm over low. Stir while it cooks and thickens. Don’t let it boil!
Spoon through a mesh strainer to strain any lumps out.
Refrigerate at least an hour, or until ready to serve. Lay a piece of plastic wrap ontop of the pastry cream so the top doesn’t form a pudding skin.
Bake the cookie into cups by pressing into muffin tin cups. Allow to cool then spoon the pastry cream into the cookie cups.
The Three Bite Rule - Mini Fruit Tarts
Top with berries or sliced fruit.
The Three Bite Rule - Mini Fruit Tarts
Then, brush with some jelly, microwaved for 10 seconds.
The Three Bite Rule - Mini Fruit Tarts
So cute! The pastry cream is light and tasty. I was glad for the cookie crunch and a little fruit for freshness. They’re cute as mini cups but would be pretty in a springform or tart pan.

I made these for Easter brunch along with Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Everything Bagel Bake. These worked well together since I had egg whites left from the pastry cream!

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

I baked! Hazzzah! One of our family get togethers included Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and a birthday! Mr. J made a pistachio cake but since I didn’t plan any other desserts I decided to sneak a cookie into the schedule. These were such a winner. I was nervous the whole time but they worked! Using cake mix made it so easy.
The Three Bite Rule - Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients:

1 box red velvet cake mix
2 tablespoons flour
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 powdered sugar

Directions:

Mix together the cake mix, flour, eggs, oil, and vanilla with a mixer.
The Three Bite Rule - Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
Roll the dough into balls and toss in a bowl of the powdered sugar.
The Three Bite Rule - Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Place the cookies onto a baking sheet and cook for about 10 minutes. (They won’t look crinkled until they puff and then set.)
The Three Bite Rule - Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
I loved these! They were super cute, so good, and perfectly cooked. Now I want to try other cake mixes! Lemon seems Easter-y. Funfetti would be festive anytime! I’ll totally make these again. Making red velvet from scratch costs a fortune for how much red dye. Cake mix makes these cookies so easy. Success!

Throwback Snack: Dunkaroo Dip

I was a bit delayed on Mr. J’s August snack of the month. August’s theme was #throwback so I recreated Dunkaroos! I don’t remember ever seeing them at my house growing up. Essentially it was a cookie dipped into frosting so I doubt they are worse than another cookie with frosting but alas, they are no more…except for Pinterest. It is very addicting. The cake mix makes it.

Dunkaroo Dip - The Three Bite Rule

Ingredients:

1/2 box funfetti cake mix
1 cup Greek vanilla yogurt
2 cups cool whip

Directions:

Mix together the funfetti, yogurt, and cool whip.
Dunkaroo Dip - The Three Bite Rule
Mix and serve with animal crackers for dipping.
Dunkaroo Dip - The Three Bite Rule
Add a few more sprinkles serve and enjoy!

I served these as single dipper portions…much like the 90s treat? Why, yes! I gave Mr. J I Owe Yous with themes for his birthday to get a year of Snacks/Treats.

June: hot & cold (Ice cream topping basket)
July: shareable (loaded waffle fries)
Aug: throwback (this Dunkaroo dip!)
Sept: sweet
Oct: homemade
Nov: chewy
Dec: craveworthy
Jan: minty
Feb: crunchy
Mar: dip-able
April: traditional
May: fresh

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

I saw, I pinned, I waited forever, then I made. I’m not much of a baker but despite the cake, topping, and glaze it was actually really easy. It was addictive and somehow squares of the pan just kept disappearing. I’m not sure how it happened.

The Three Bite Rule - Pumpkin Coffee Cake
This comes from Tasty Kitchen by way of How Sweet It Is and Pretty Good Food and whoever else has made it.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

⅓ cups water
1 can pumpkin
2 eggs
1 tbs vanilla
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 box spice cake mix
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup brown sugar

Topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
4 tbs melted butter

Glaze:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions:

In a mixer, combine water, pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined. Add the cake mix and baking soda and mix again until just combined.
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
Pour cake into a sprayed 9×13 pan.
In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients: brown sugar, flour and melted butter. Use your fingers to sprinkle over the top of the cake.
The Three Bite Rule - Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
In a medium sauce pan simmer brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. Remove from heat and stir until all sugar dissolves.
When the cake is cooked, pokes some holes and pour glaze over the top.
The Three Bite Rule - Pumpkin Coffee Cake
I absolutely loved this. It was great as dessert and as breakfast.