Loaded Cookies

A few weeks ago I had some rice krispie cereal hanging about that the kids decided they didn’t like anymore, and I remembered eating a chocolate chip cookie with rice krispies at some point in my childhood. I searched and found similar recipes online, but nothing that ticked all the boxes –  so I conjured up my own version!

When I told my mom about them, she said, “Whoa, those sound like loaded cookies!” and thus I had the name.

I’ve written this in US terms/UK terms, but as always, please email me if you have any questions. Bon appétit!

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.

Mix together

1 c. /240g unsalted butter

1 c./200g sugar/caster sugar

1 c./200g light brown sugar

until light and fluffy.

Add

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

and mix well.

In a separate bowl, blend

2 c./340g plain flour

1 teaspoon baking soda/bicarbonate of soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

Then, with the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients 

to the butter mixture.

Now for the magic:

Stir in

1 c./100g rolled oats/porridge oats

2 c./60g rice krispies cereal

1 c./80g flaked coconut/desiccated coconut (note: US-style flaked coconut works better in this recipe – try here for a UK source)

1 c./180g chocolate chips

being careful not to overmix or crush the cereal!

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets lined with parchment. I use a small ice cream scoop for uniform size (and it looks proper professional!).

Bake cookies for 7-9 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the baking sheets halfway through cooking. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

I don’t know where that last one went...

Happy baking!

Chrissie x

Long-awaited ta-dahs

One of the reasons I started my blog nearly two years ago is because I wanted some inspiration to finish my works-in-progress. I finally, finally finished one of my favourite WIPs:

Ta-dah, Ta-Dah, TA-DAH!!!! I could hardly believe it when I stitched the last stitch of this Dr. Seuss homage. Sam-I-Am shouldn’t have taken so long, really. It wasn’t the most impossible embroidery, it was just rather slow going at certain stages so I felt the need for a break. Sometimes for months. Ah well, we got there in the end!

Little Flower loves it, so it will go in her room, which we are currently redecorating. She actually was the impetus to finish Sam-I-Am; she loves Green Eggs and Ham so much and can read it by herself now. She saw the embroidery and asked if I could finish it specially for her – how could I say no? My five-year-old bookworm...caught here on my iPhone after her bedtime, she snuck out of bed to read more of the story!

Hey! Get to bed!

My New Year’s Resolution was to not buy any new yarn until I completed the mountain of crochet WIPs I accumulated last year. I need to tame my inner fickle magpie, flitting from one project to another when a pretty new yarn pops up in the shop!

So far so good (nearly, I did buy some Smooth DK on sale for £1 a ball, but that doesn’t count – who could pass up that kind of bargain?). My big finish this week was the gorgeous Textured Throw from Erika Knight’s Crochet Workshop:

A most inviting seat, no?

I started this throw months ago using King Cole Gypsy super-chunky yarn and a 10mm hook. It works up so quickly, but it took me ages because shortly after I started it, I began teaching more and more crochet workshops and leading the crochet clubs linked with each venue’s classes. 

I’ve had so much fun spreading the hooky love, but it has taken a big bite out of my own personal crochet time. I have to make sure I don’t get RSI by crocheting into the night when I’ve been teaching during the day. So projects are slow going, but very satisfying nonetheless.

This is the perfect winter blanket, soooo snuggly warm!

I also managed to finish a new shawl...

How much do I adore this shawl? I fell in love with Louisa Harding’s Amitola yarn, and opted for a colourway out of my comfort zone of pastels and neutrals. The vivid blues and rich browns were too tempting to pass up.

After drooling over images online for weeks, I broke down and ordered Puur Haken by the super-talented Maaike at creJJtion. No, I don’t speak the language, but yes, the photos are inspiration in themselves, and the diagram gave me all I needed to create the zomersjaal myself!

I love the shell pattern so much, I made creJJtion’s fingerless gloves, also using a shell pattern, with Louisa Harding Orielle yarn – a Christmas gift for myself, I couldn’t resist the subtle gold thread running through the yarn, giving it a little sparkle!

Onward and upward. I have a cushion to finish, then a pretty pink scarf, oh and a poncho-sweater-type-thing I forgot I even started about a year ago! Don’t mention the hexie blanket...I think there’s a ball of chunky scarlet yarn partway hooked into a snood...then I’ll attack those spring yarns in their juicy colours...

Happy crafting!

Chrissie x

Blog Lang Syne

*sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne”

Should long blog pauses be forgot

and never brought to mind

I’m starting fresh, with new-found zeal

and making more blog time

There’s Instagram that’s kept me close

to you while life’s so full

But I miss sharing WIPS, long chats,

and writing to you all

This brand new year I’m striving to

weekly share a post

And finish the crochet and embroidery makes

that I love the most

Thank you for reading and following

I’m so grateful, for goodness’ sake

Here’s to a joyous 2015

Now let’s all go and *make*!

Happy New Year!

Chrissie x