Cookie Butter Cocoa Swirl Cookies with Pumpkin Spice M&Ms

I LOVE COOKIE BUTTER! It is so delicious and I find myself constantly wanting to bake with it. Last time I combined by love for cookie butter and fudge with my Cookie Butter Fudge recipe. This time I'm using a new Trader Joe's Cookie Butter product to make cookies. Yes, cookies out of what is basically crushed up cookies.

Trader Joe's came out with this new product a few weeks back and it is fantastic! I wanted to combine it with something special to make the perfect fall cookie...and I found the perfect ingredient

Pumpkin Spice M&M's, chocolate and cookie butter. It was wonderful combination! The cookies are extremely soft and chewy with just the right hint of pumpkin from the M&M's.

These cookies have turned into a new fall favorite! And if you aren't the biggest chocolate fan, go ahead and substitute just plain cookie butter! Either way this cookie offers a delicious cinnamony, gingerbready and pumpkiny combo that will make you come back for more.

Cookie Butter Cocoa Swirl Cookies with Pumpkin Spice M&M's

makes about 36 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup Trader Joe's Crunchy Cookie Butter
• 1/2 cup Trader Joe's Cookie Butter Cocoa Swirl
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla
• 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon caking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup Pumpkin Spice M&M's

Instructions:

1. Cream together egg, cookie butters, brown sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer.

2. Add flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda and salt, mix well. Add M&M's and mix again.

3. Refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours. After refrigeration, form dough into 2-inch balls and place on a well-greased cookie sheet. 

4. Bake cookies for 8 minutes at 350F degrees.

Cookies n Creme Crunch Brownies

One of my FAVORITE candy bars is Hershey's Cookies n Creme. I am usually not a huge fan of white chocolate but there's something about these candy bars to me that I cannot get enough of.

I decided to use one of my favorite Hershey's products to make cookies n creme inspired brownies. Using a plain brownie mix is such an easy way to get creative in the kitchen. I've previously shared my recipe for Oreo Marshmallow Fudge Brownies which uses a store bought brownie mix with a few fun tweaks that make the biggest difference. Today I'm sharing the cookies n creme brownies I came up with!

The bottom fudge brownie layer is covered with Hershey's Cookies n Creme chocolate and then a final layer of Hershey's Cookies n Creme cereal coated in chocolate rests on top. Yep - you heard right, Cookies n Creme cereal! These are a mix between brownies and rice krispie treats. The crunch of the cereal adds an element to the dessert that is unique and yummy!

I didn't know this cereal even existed! I'm not sure how it tastes on it's own (sounds a little too sugary for my breakfast liking) but it is perfect for these brownies or even just making cereal marshmallow treats! 

Cookies n Creme Crunch Brownies

makes one 13x9 pan

Ingredients:

• 1 package brownie mix (plus ingredients on back of package)
• 1/4 cup hot fudge topping (optional)
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2-3 king size Hershey's Cookies n Creme chocolate bars
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 2 cups Hershey's Cookies n Creme cereal

Directions:

1. Mix brownie mix according to directions.  I always add fudge topping to brownie mixes to make when more fudgy and delicious but feel free to skip this step. Bake the brownies according to directions.

2. Break up candy bars and distribute evenly over the brownies. Next sprinkle the marshmallows over the chocolate evenly. Bake for 5-7 minutes.

3. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave for one minute, stirring and repeating until completely melted. Repeat this step with the white chocolate then combine the two chocolates. Pour chocolate over cereal in a bowl and mix well. Spread cereal chocolate mixture over brownies and then refrigerate for 1-2 hours.