|
The weather is warming up, the windows are being pushed open to let in some of the nice spring air, and the kids are pushing their homework aside for a taste of the spring sunshine on their lips.
This is always a hard time of the year for me, the transition between winter and summer. I find that the kids are more worried about their friends and being outside than they are about me, and the home responsibilities that they have.
At any given time in the afternoon, we can have a handful of kids in our home. Sometimes I know their names, sometimes I know their parents and sometimes they are newcomers to the Marlowe house of fun.
I enjoy the title that many have given me as the "Cookie Mom." I enjoy having the children from all parts of the neighborhood invading my privacy and encroaching my space. There is something comforting about knowing where my children are and what they are doing. I love the fact that all of the children know that there will be a treat waiting for them at the door as they come to visit and another as they leave to go home.
And the smart kids know that if a nice aroma is coming from the kitchen, a visit to see the mother of the house is always a smart idea.
It does not take long until the young children and yes, even the old ones, know that my cookin' place is a place that many want to visit. It may not always have something cooking that they like, but I get to know people by spending time in my cookin' place. This is important to me, and I think it makes the kids that float through our home feel important as well.
The nice weather always seems to bring more children to our home. The idea that we have dirt hills would bring any smart child to our yard, but the smartest children know that warmer weather means homemade treats! There is nothing like a cold glass of milk and a warm gooey cookie on a nice spring day.
So, to keep my title as the "Cookie Mom," I will need to kick things up a notch and have something new waiting for the next knock at the door! If you have the title of a cookie mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt or uncle, then this recipe is for you. It is wonderful, gooey, and just different enough that the kids and adults will line up for blocks, who knows you may even be able to charge!
Until next week's batter chatter, here are a few cookie hints, and a recipe you will not want to move to the back of the recipe box!
Watch the baking time. Always check cookies at the minimum baking time. Even one minute can mean the difference between a cookie that is done and one that is ruined.
Don't grease pans with butter or margarine. Use solid shortening or a spray. Butter tends to make cookies brown too fast and oils and sprays tend to cause sticking. Use shiny pans for baking cookies. They brown evenly and lightly. Dark sheets tend to absorb the heat and will over brown the bottoms of your cookies. I never grease my baking sheets. I always use a piece of parchment paper. This allows for even baking and easy clean up. It would be well worth the few dollars you will spend on it.
Place the dough to be baked on a "cool" cookie sheet. If you place dough on a warm cookie sheet the dough will spread and you will have a flat, crisp cookie.
Always cool your cookies on a cooling rack, unless otherwise noted. This allows the steam to escape and the cookie will not be soggy.
Chocolaty Oatmeal Cookies
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 cup sugar (Splenda works great)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 2 1/2 cups oatmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
Cream butter and sugars.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl, and then mix with sugar mixture.
Chill dough over night if possible. If not, at least for 3 hours.
Roll into small balls, and place on cooled cookie sheets.
Bake on 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
Place on a cooling rack.
* Using one large Symphony Candy Bar in place of the chocolate chips is wonderful. |
