Two favorites: No Bake Chocolate Cookies and Spiced Tea

Thyme Together has issued a challenge. Read the challenge here.

Hi i'm Joel.I know I said that I like No bake oatmeal cookies and Spice tea (which I do.) But my all-time favorite is candy!But you can't cook that.

Mom's Note: Joel's not a big football fan but goes along and plays with his brother and friends sometimes. But he does like to participate in some football day food-eating! Here are his recipes....

No Bake Oatmeal Fudge Cookies
3 cups raw oatmeal
1 cup coconut
1 cups pecans, chopped
3 tablespoons cocoa
2 cups sugar
½ cup milk
1 stick margarine
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon butter flavor
½ cup peanut butter

Mix oatmeal, coconut, and pecans in large bowl. Mix cocoa, sugar, milk, margarine, vanilla, and butter flavors together in saucepan. Bring to a boil and let boil slowly for one minute. Remove from heat and add peanut butter until melted. Pour over dry mixture and stir. Drop by teaspoon on waxed paper and try to let cool before eating. Makes about 3 dozen.

Note: For non-nut lovers such as my boys, increase the oatmeal to 4 or 5 cups and leave out the coconut and pecans.

Spiced Tea

16 cups water
1 Tbsp. cloves
5 sticks cinnamon
6 tea bags
2 cups sugar
6 lemons (or frozen Minute Maid “juice of 7 lemons”)
Juice of one grapefruit (also include some chunks)
6-oz. can frozen orange juice

Boil 4 cups water with the cloves and cinnamon for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, steep tea bags in another 4 cups water (at least 5 minutes). Mix all together. Add sugar, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, and remaining water. Stir, heat, and serve.

Note: It’s best to put spices in a tea ball and remove before storing.

Sesame Cookies

Okay, kids! Here is a simple little recipe that Darla and I were recently given. Sunny Stephens, at church, had made these for a church ice cream social. It is from her mother-in-law's recipe file. It is basically a shortbread, but the addition of the sesame seeds and coconut (which you would never guess is there!) really makes it a special cookie. You need to make it ahead of time enough to put it in the refrigerator to chill the dough. This is a delicious cookie!!!! Great with tea or coffee! I don't have a picture because they didn't last long enough for that!

Sesame Cookies
1 pound real butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
2 cups coconut
1 cup sesame seeds *
1/2 cup chopped almonds
Soften butter and add sugar; beat until very light. Add remaining ingredients. Separate into 3 parts - roll - refrigerate. When ready to bake, slice 1/4" thick and bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 25 to 30 minutes at 300 degrees.


*Sesame seeds are MUCH cheaper when you buy them in bulk at stores like Whole Foods, where you can buy them by the pound.