Haystack Cookies

These cookies are super tasty and take only minutes to make. I love their crunchy texture and simple flavour. During Christmas time, I like to call them Reindeer Haystacks.

Makes 12 cookies

1 cup	170 g	Butterscotch, Chocolate* or Peanut Butter Chips
1/2 cup	130 g	Peanut Butter**
1 cup	150 g	Peanuts
2 cups	90 g	Chow Mein Noodles

1. Using a microwave*** or a double boiler, melt peanut butter and chips together. Stir constantly until a uniform mixture is achieved.
2. In a large bowl, mix together peanuts and chow mein noodles.
3. Pour melted peanut butter mixture over the peanuts and chow mein noodles and stir until well coated.
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper, and allow to cool until set. For faster cooling, place cookies in fridge.

Notes:

*I find chocolate chips tend to make gooier cookies than the butterscotch or peanut butter chips. If you don't like sticky cookies, reduce the amount of peanut butter you add to about 1/4 cup or 65 g.

**While it may be healthier, stay away from natural peanut butter. Its much too oily and the cookies won't stick together.

***I find 3-4 minutes on medium low heat works well. If unsure, always remember less is more. I've burnt this recipe a few times and the results are rather unappealing.

Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies

Makes about 36 cookies

3/4 cup	170 g	Butter or Margarine
1 1/4 cups	250 g	Granulated Sugar
1	1	Egg
1 1/2 cups	190 g	All Purpose Flour
3/4 cup	65 g	Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp	2 g	Baking Powder
1/8 tsp	0.8g	Salt
		Confectioners Sugar

1. In a large bowl combine butter, sugar and egg and stir until light and fluffy.
2. In a separate bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
3. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture until well blended. Chill dough for one hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix cocoa powder and confectioners sugar into 50/50 mixture and use mixture to dust dough while rolling. Roll dough to 1/4" thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters and place 1/2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Bake for 8 minutes in a preheated oven.
6. Remove cookies from pan and cool on wire racks.