Blue Ribbon Cookies & Cream Cookies

I'm not just calling these cookies "Blue Ribbon" cookies to try and tell you how amazing they are (which they totally are), but I really did win a Blue Ribbon at the Arizona State Fair this last year for these Cookie & Cream Cookies. 

They have amazing flavor, stay soft, and everyone (the non-chocolate and chocolate lovers alike) loves them!   

I love to bake, and therefore love to workout so I can eat the yummy things I bake.  I make recipes, adapt recipes, and use already loved recipes all of the time.  I had never done any baking contest of any kind, and last fall I just randomly decided it would be fun to enter the cookie baking contest at the State Fair.  It cost $1 to enter so I figured why not. 

I made cookies, brought them down to the fair, and I got a Blue Ribbon (they really send you a blue ribbon in the mail), and a whopping $5 for my win with these Cookies & Cream Cookies. 

I'm pretty sure the award money didn't even cover the gas down to the fair grounds or the ingredients, but it's fun to say I won a blue ribbon at the AZ State Fair.  

These cookies are by far my most requested cookie from my family and friends.  Just this past week I made a batch for a friend's 30th bday, and another batch for my Mother-in-Law to take to her cards group.  These cookies are winners!  

I have brought these cookies to group events, and every time I have at least one person, if not more, as me for the recipe.  

Therefore, it's about time you had the recipe as well. 

Cookies & Cream Cookies

Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from Sweet Treats &; More

Active Time: 20- 25 mintues

Inactive Time: 20-25 minutes 

Makes: 3 dozen with a Medium Scoop (1.5 Tbsp)

Ingredients: 

1 c. butter (softened)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg (4oz) instant Oreo Pudding mix
2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour (higher altitudes a tad bit more)

1 tsp baking soda
2 Hershey's XL Cookies N Cream Candy Bars broken/chopped into small pieces
2 c. milk chocolate chips though 1 pkg of milk chocolate chips works great (just not as much chocolate goodness)

Instructions: 

1. To save time, cut the candy bars up the night before or whenever you have a few moments. 
2. Preheat oven to 325. 
3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 
4. Add the pudding and mix until combined.  I can always find this pudding at Safeway, but other grocery stores or Super Target/Walmart have been hit or miss with carrying them.  Some have them and some don't.  Whatever the effort it takes these cookies are well worth it!
5. Add the eggs and the vanilla one at a time and beat/mix well after each one.  
6. Add the flour and then the soda on top of the dough mixture and beat on low until just combined.  
7. Stir or beat on low until just combined the candy bar pieces and finally the chocolate chips. 
8. Make sure you don't over beat the dough; it'll become more firm (and not as delicious) if you leave it beating on the mixer for too long.  
9. Using a medium scooper (or just approximate 1.5 Tbsp of dough) place dough on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or baking mats. 
10. At this point, before throwing them in the oven you can push the dough down a bit if you want more flat like cookies, or you can leave them be and they'll come out a bit more round (but not a ball).  I've done it both ways, but the hubs thinks the bit more round look better.    
11. Bake at 325 for 6-8 minutes depending on the size of the cookies.  I end up doing 7 minutes.  You don't want to over cook these cookies.  Take them out of the oven when they don't look shiny or dough, but they haven't browned at all.  
12. These cookies will stay soft, delicious, and amazing for several days in an air tight container, but they'll probably be gone before you can test their longevity.  

Happy cookie eating and happy Friday! 

Holler with any questions you may have.

MeganRuth