When Melissa anounced this month's What's Baking theme, Snow Day Treat, I was hoping I'd have good snow pictures to include with my post. However, when you live in New England, you never know what the weather will bring. Since there is nothing remotely white in my backyard right now, I decided to share a photo from last January that never made it on the blog.  It was pretty ridiculous last year in terms of snow, but I'm starting to miss it.

I don't miss barely being able to open the door to let Lacey out, but I do miss the beauty that accompanies a snow fall, and the idea of being "snowed in". I also decided to take up snow shoeing this year, but it doesn't look like that will happen.

Anyhow, when I think of snow day treat my mind wanders to the pantry. Surely I'm not going out to drive in the snow, nor would I dare to fight the pre-snow grocery shopping crowds which usually result in bare shelves by the time I get to the store. Side note, what do these people do with all the milk, bread and eggs they stock up on before the big storm?

I decided to try and bake strictly from my pantry here, with the exception of eggs. Crisco is a very rarely used ingredient in my house, I'm not really sure why I even had it, but it did make this challenge fun for me.

The overall result isn't exactly my preferred type of cookie, nonetheless these were gobbled them up and I didn't hear any complaints. I however, missed the key ingredient - butter. However, I'd make these again if I were in a pinch and out of this key ingredient.

Here is what you'll need:

• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp evaporated milk
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp baking 
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup cappuccino chips 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Using a mixer at high speed, beat shortening and brown sugar until light and smooth. Add milk, vanilla and egg, and beat until well combined. Scrape down sides of the bowl.

Add flour, salt and baking soda, and stir until well combined. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Add chocolate and cappuccino chips and stir until combined.

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop even spoonfuls of cookies onto parchment paper allowing plenty of space for cookies to spread during baking.

Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on if you like chewy or crispy cookies. Remove from oven and allow cookies to firm up for 1-2 minutes. Transfer parchment paper to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Makes 3-3 1/2 dozen.

Source: Crisco

My blog is officially 1 year old!  I'm pretty happy with the results of this year, although November and December were pretty difficult for me to keep up.  I was cooking, but unable to get posts up.  However, I've learned from the experience and next year I will begin prepping posts early to appear in that time period.

I plan to get the new year started off with a new recipe this week, but in the meantime I thought I'd share with you my favorites from 2011.  What makes a recipe my favorite?  Generally, favorites get repeated, so that's how I went about choosing 2011 favorites.  So without further adieu:

Garbanzos and Smoked Sausage - This was a by far one of most repeated recipes of the year. Since I first made this back in May, it has been a huge hit in our house.  In fact, it was our New Year's Eve dinner.

Ina's Seafood Stew - I first made this a few years ago and save it for special occasions.  I've made it numerous times, including Christmas Day.


Lighter Vegetable Quiche - I made several versions of quiche this year, but I'm choosing this one because it's the base recipe for the rest of them.  We all know quiche isn't light,  so I was quite happy to produce this "lighter" version using cottage cheese.  This is a great make ahead recipe for workday breakfasts.


Chicken Cacciatore - A great, healthy recipe that is always a hit in our house and easy prep for a weeknight meal.  It's also impressive enough for guests.



Honey Mustard Coleslaw - A simple recipe that we've enjoyed often, including just a few weeks ago.  Who says you can only eat coleslaw in summer?


Banana Oat Bread - My go-to banana bread when the bananas aren't looking so fresh.  I love that this recipe contains all healthy ingredients.


Italian Drip Beef - Quite possibly the easiest recipe to make.


Arroz Con Pollo - Jessica helped me fill a void in my Latin cooking skills.


Beef Stroganoff - My last favorite, but certainly not my least, is a go-to which I've learned to make on the stovetop and in the crockpot.


I thought I'd end with the most viewed post of the year (your favorite?), even though I only made them once.  Coconut Ginger Lime Oatmeal Muffins - These are a great, not-to-sweet flavor combination I created and make a fantastic on-the-go breakfast.
 

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and good things to come in 2012!