Christmas is right around the corner and it’s time to start baking, filling up our homes with the warmth and cheer of fresh baked cookies, breads and goodies. Actually, whatever holidays you celebrate including the simple family get togethers throughout the year and if you love chocolate, you will probably love these cookies.

This recipe actually uses a box of German Chocolate Cake Mix. We could make this recipe from “scratch” but it is just as good this way and very easy to make (you’re still baking so they are definitely homemade!) Pretty good during a busy time when we desire the personal touch without added hours into our schedules.

This is such a great time to truly enjoy the season and what it means to us and our families. Before we know it, the holidays will come and go and we will still have a few months of really cold weather ahead, so I encourage you to enjoy every moment and if the world around us gets a little crazy, well, have a nice mug of hot cocoa with your mate and or kids, maybe throw some marshmallow cream or minis in, smile, relax, listen to your favorite carols and bake up a batch of these cookies (which are great to do with kids too……so easy!)

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees

What you will need:
1 box of German Chocolate Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/3 to ½ cup of vegetable oil
1 small package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Strawberry preserves or jam

Mix together, cake mix, eggs, oil and chocolate chips. Dough will be somewhat stiff and hold together well but should be somewhat pliable. Roll dough into 1 and a 1/2 inch balls and place on baking pan. Press a thumb print into each ball and spoon a ¼ teaspoon or so of your preserves or jam into the center where you put your thumbprint (make sure you have a nice little “well” for your jam so it doesn’t overflow the edges of the cookie)

Place in your pre-heated 350 degree oven and bake for about 8 minutes. The edges of the cookie will start to puff up a bit and be a bit firm. Let cookies cool right on the baking pan so they won’t fall apart as they may by placing on a wire cooling rack. The cookies after five minutes will slide easily from your cookie sheet then place in a Tupperware or airtight container. Different from some other filled cookies, these are meant to be soft, moist and chewy.

If you wrap these for gifts, place in an airtight container and wrap with your favorite ribbons, bows and tags.

Have fun and I hope you have little stress and much joy this week filled with blessings!

Sue