Don’t throw out those stale cookies!

At the end of the holiday season, homes often have leftover goodies cluttering their kitchen counters, so it’s probably safe to say that many people are “cookied out.” But fear not—if you don’t want to throw out your leftover treats, then this article is perfect for you!

There are many uses for leftover cookies. This first recipe is one that you may not have heard of, but it’s a versatile and sugary snack: cookie butter! 

This tasty treat can be easily made by mixing crunchy cookies, butter, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Then you can indulge in the tasty spread on a slice of toast or by dipping pretzels in it. You could even make cookie butter cookies!

Another place where stale cookies can be useful is in a cold batch of homemade ice cream. If you have an ice cream maker, it’s easy to make this creamy treat with heavy cream, milk, sugar, and your cookies as mix-ins. For those without an ice cream maker, there are plenty of delicious no-churn recipes.

I have an ice cream maker, so here’s my personal favorite recipe. Simply follow the directions and then incorporate any mix-ins a couple minutes before the ice cream finishes churning. 

However, it’s still winter, and you may be too chilly for a frozen treat, in that case, try making a pie or even a cheesecake with your holiday cookies. 

How? In the crust, of course! While cheesecakes and pies often have graham-cracker or pastry crusts, it’s possible to use cookies instead. To make this crust, you’ll need crunchy cookies, butter, and sugar. 

First, grind the cookies in a food processor, or get your anger out by smashing them by hand, and mix them with melted butter. You can then add your pie or cheesecake filling on top and bake. 

Finally, if you want a bite-size recipe, truffles are the way to go. These tiny delicacies, made with cream cheese and crumbling cookies, are always sure to be a hit. And don’t forget to coat them in chocolate as a finishing touch!

And some days, especially around this time of year, you just feel lazy. We’ve all been there. So don’t let this article make you feel too bad about not repurposing your stale holiday desserts. There’s always next year! If you happen to be in the mood to cook, these simple ideas have recipes linked below. Have fun and enjoy your not-so-stale cookies!

https://abeautifulmess.com/make-homemade-cookie-butter-with-any-cookie/

https://www.loveandlemons.com/homemade-ice-cream-recipe/

https://www.iheartnaptime.net/sugar-cookie-truffles/

https://www.thespruceeats.com/cookie-crumb-crust-recipe-304982