sarahcentric

The Thanksgiving Diet didn’t really work for me. I just don’t understand this, I followed the diet to the letter!

Hmmm, huh…where did I go wrong?

“Day 1: Burn calories by meeting your brother in Mid-town Manhattan and hitch a ride upstate.” Ok, got it got it. I met my brother outside of Bloomingdales where we made fun of their cool, but kinda creepy Christmas windows. We made it home in record time where my sister had a box of Tim Tams waiting for me. Went ahead and ate about 6 of those.

“Day 2: Stay in your pajamas until at least 2 pm and burn some more calories while you holiday food shop” I was all over that. In fact, I went to Shop-rite IN my pajamas. I worked up quite a sweat trying to find a parking space. I needed that Take 5 bar for the ride home to replenish lost nutrients.

“Evening 2: Meet your sister and brother for the most delicious seasonal beer you can find.” You’ve worked so hard, treat yourself!” I think the Dogfish Pumpkin Ale was a lovely way to go. Not calorie-less, but whatever… I deserved it!

“Day 3: Get back on the Thanksgiving Diet wagon! Burn some more fat and calories looking for old friends” Pfff, tracking our friend Frank down was the equivalent of running a marathon. Locating this social Ghost is like finding the Holy Grail. A few more pumpkin ales were necessary to get through it… and some more Tim Tams, and chips, and late night scrambled eggs.

I did everything the diet asked! I ate nothing but Tim Tams, Pumpkin Ale, Take 5s, Apple Pie, stuffing and chips the whole week. And somehow, I gained 4 lbs! I mean, how is that possible?! I must be the ONLY person who gained weight over the holiday! AGHHHHH!

Well, it may have worked for all of you, but I am going back to my tried and true Christmas Cookie diet. Eat crazy good and work out until Sunday. Then bake a huge batch of cookies for your co-workers to eat. If they gain weight, too bad. They have to come up with their own diet. Hopefully, they have worked these Chocolate Covered Caramel Cookies into their plan.

My sister in law was the runner-up in our family’s cookie competition last year. Runner-up to whom? Oh that’s right… ME! I have to admit though, these would have gotten my vote had I been a judge. Any christmas cookie recipe that involved “shucking” 48 Caramel Hershey Kisses is a winner with a big W.

I’ve posted the recipe below, but it’s worth checking out the original at allrecipes.com. There are a lot of great tips and adjustments from other bakers on how to build this cookie. It’s not super difficult or anything, but it’s the kind of recipe that’s really worth following. Definitely chill your dough. Definitely cover the candy well with the dough. Definitely bake the cookies for no longer than 8 minutes, or else…

That explosion worked out well for me, however. The Christmas Cookie Diet says I’m only allowed 3 of the ugliest cookies from the batch. Less calories and no fat! Wait..that’s a lie.

Eating only 3 cookies..that’s a lie, too.

Caramel Filled Chocolate Cookies
from allrecipes.com

* 1 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 cup chopped walnuts
* 1 tablespoon white sugar
* 48 chocolate-covered caramel candies

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually beat in white sugar and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and cocoa. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in 1/2 cup walnuts. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Combine remaining 1/2 cup nuts with the 1 tablespoon sugar. Divide the dough into 4 parts. Work with one part at a time, leaving the remainder in the refrigerator until needed. Divide each part into 12 pieces. Quickly press each piece of dough around a chocolate covered caramel. Roll into a ball. Dip the tops into the sugar mixture. Place sugar side up, 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake for 8 minutes in the preheated oven. Let cool for 3 to 4 minutes on the baking sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.