Lemon Iced Cookies & Easy Monster Cookies {Gooseberry Patch Simple Shortcut Recipes Review}

Good morning folks it's that time again for another Gooseberry Patch Early Bird Review. Do you cook solely from scratch or to do you take a few shortcuts in your cooking?

Most people frown upon cooks that use time - saver ingredients, but personally I don't think there is anything wrong with taking shortcuts. I for one rely on time saver ingredients in quite a few of the recipes that I have on my blog.

If you're like me than Gooseberry Patches Simple Shortcut Recipes is the cookbook for you. Simple Shortcut's has 225 simplified recipes and time saver tips for today's busy cook.

The best part is all of the recipes speed up your favorite dishes by using grocery-store convenience products. Now you can have dinner and dessert on the table in no time.

As usual the hardest part is thumbing through the cookbook and trying to decide on what to cook. I don't know why but I'm always drawn to the dessert section of any cookbook. Well this time was no different.

I needed cookies for a get together so all of the recipes of choice are cookie recipes!!! The first one is for Easy - Peasy Monster Cookies from Nicole Culver in Lafontaine, IN.

This recipe uses packaged cookie mixes (chocolate chip and peanut butter) to make these monster cookies a breeze to throw together. Just add oatmeal, eggs, butter and m&m' s for a simplified version of an old classic recipe.

These Lemon Iced Cookies pictured above come from Paula Eggleston of Knoxville, TN. This recipe utilizes a cake mix which I love. I'm a big believer in using a cake mix to simplify any recipe. Well, these lemon cookies do not disappoint.

This cookie recipe only requires 4 ingredients, a lemon cake mix, oil, eggs and a bit of sugar. Then finish them off with a simple powdered sugar glaze. If you're a lemon lover you have to make these cookies. We polished off the first batch so I had to make a second one to take.

If you don't have a big sweet tooth like me don't worry because Simple Shortcut's has plenty more to choose from. This cookbook is broken down into 6 tasty chapters.

Not only are there recipes, but in usual fashion they have Tips and Tricks scattered throughout the cookbook. One of my favorite tips in this cookbook is one that I actually practice.

"Save the wrappers from sticks of butter and store them in your freezer (plastic bag). This way you have them on hand to grease a baking pan. "

Another great addition that Simple Shortcuts has is a "Common Ingredient Substitution Listing" found in the back of the cookbook. There's also an additional listing on Herb and Spice Substitution. This will come in very handy for me.

And the last cookie of choice is from yours truly. I was so excited to see that Gooseberry Patch included my simplified version for Fudge Puddle Cookies! If you love chocolate and peanut than you can have the best of both worlds with this cookie.

I have found that the shortcut recipe is just as good as the full homemade version. These cookies are great when you want to impress your guests, but you don't have a whole lot of time on your hands. Click here to get the recipe.

♥ Thank you Gooseberry Patch for including my recipe ♥

Simple Shortcut Recipes was just released on March 16Th and Amazon has plenty of copies in stock. Right now you can snag this cookbook for just $11.52 that's a $5.43 savings. I promise you won't be sorry.

I would like to thank Gooseberry Patch for sending me a review copy of this wonderful cookbook. And a double thank you for sending me a second copy. That's right folks Gooseberry Patch sent me an additional copy of Simple Shortcuts to giveaway to one of my readers.

How To Enter The Giveaway:
Just leave a comment on this post telling me what simple shortcut you use in a recipe? (mandatory entry) For me it's definitely using a cake mix to simplify a cookie or cake recipe.

Additional Entries:
You can do any or all of the following for extra entries. Please leave a separate comment for each one.

1. Become a Fan of Gooseberry Patch on Face book. When you have done that, return to this post and leave a separate comment letting me know that you are a fan.
2. Join Gooseberry Patch "Circle of Friends" so you can stay Gooseberry Patch updated.
3. Become a fan of Mommy's Kitchen on Face book. (If you're already a fan that counts too)
4. Mention this giveaway on your face book page. Come back and leave a comment telling me so.
5. Tweet the following for another entry: Win a copy of @gooseberrypatch Simple Shortcut Recipes http://tiny.cc/66lfbw @mommyskitchen #giveaway

Last day to enter this giveaway will be at Midnight on March 28th, 2012 (CST). I will pick a random winner using random.org and announce the winner on this blog, face book and twitter. Good Luck everyone.


Contest open to U.S & Canadian Residents only due to shipping charges. Winner has 48 hours to reply to winning email or a new winner will be chosen. Please leave a email address with your comment in the event that you are the winner.

Disclosure: Gooseberry Patch provided me with a copy of " Simple Shortcut Recipes" for the purpose of this review. They also provided an additional copy to use in a reader giveaway. With that being said the opinions & comments stated above are entirely my own. I would like to thank Gooseberry Patch for choosing Mommy's Kitchen as a "Early Bird Reviewer" .

Easy Peasy Monster Cookies

1 - 20 oz package peanut butter cookie mix
1 - 20 oz package chocolate chip cookie mix
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 - cup butter, softened
3 - eggs, beaten
2 - cups plain m&m's

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoons on un greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-13 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool for 2 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 1 1/2 dozen cookies.


Lemon Iced Cookies

1 - 18 - 1/4 oz package lemon cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 - eggs, beaten
1/4 - sugar

In a bowl blend dry cake mix, oil and eggs. I used my kitchen aid mixer for this. Mix until the dough comes away from the sides of the mixing bowl and the mixture is combined. Roll into one inch balls; place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Place sugar in a shallow bowl. Press each ball with the bottom of a small glass that has bee dipped in sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Do not allow the cookies to brown around the edges. Remove cookies from baking sheet immediately. Place on wax paper; drizzle with vanilla frosting while warm. Makes 2-3 dozen cookies.

Vanilla Frosting

2 - tablespoons butter, melted
1 - cup powdered sugar
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1 - tablespoon milk

In a bowl, whisk all ingredients together and drizzle over cookies.