November 15, 2010

Cookie Peace


Baking for the girls' lunches is part of the school year tradition in our house. Honestly cooking in this kitchen? Not so fun, but the girls love it. I like to think that it's one of the things from their childhood that they'll remember fondly. Also, they like to share the goods with their friends. I don't know if you know this, but apparently baking is a lost art. And baking in this house means from scratch. More work? Sure! Worth it? Well, look at the kind of love and admiration the real thing inspires:

Dear Mrs. Kershner,
I absolutely loved the cookies you
made. Seriously something that
good could bring world peace.
Sincerely,
Drew Smith

Now you wanna bake something from scratch, don't you? World peace? I'm considering contacting the president with this important discovery.

This week we'll be munching on these.

Jen's Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup oats (I've used both quick and old fashioned with good results)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream together shortening, butter, sugars and peanut butter til smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time until well blended. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into creamed mixture. Mix in the oats just until combined. Use cookie scoop and drop cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 13 mins til edges are just browning. Do not overbake. Let cool for 6-8 mins then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.







30 comments:

  1. Jen, I wish you were living in my neck of the woods. I would be coming over all the time to smell what you were whipping up and spy on your decorating schemes. I LOVE and I do mean LOVE peanut butter cookies---I will give this recipe a try :)
    Amy

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  2. That's so funny! When our girls had friends over their mums would call the next day asking me for my cookie recipe. Baking from scratch truly is a lost art.

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  3. Remember those not-from-scratch chocolate dipped pretzels with toffee chips I sent you?

    Just wonderin'...

    ;)

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  4. That is so sweet. I love baking with the grandkids. Watching them lick the bowl and spatula is priceless!

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  5. That notes a keeper for sure :-) I think you should frame it and put it in the kitchen.

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  6. Mmmmm. A fresh batch of homemade cookies sounds so good right now. Homemade cookies are on of my favorite things. :) And I especially love peanut butter cookies.
    Hope you are having a great day!
    Beth.

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  7. Those cookies look delicious! Honestly there is nothing like home baked treats. It doesn't matter what I cook but when I decide to make a cake or biscuits the kids just love it and the house smells devine! take care, Maryann

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  8. oh how sweet. you better get busy and bake more cookies. this world could use a little peace. have a great evening.

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  9. Well if Dorie Greenspan can have Peace Cookies, so can The Cottage Nest. Could you just reach through
    your computer and hand me one. LOL
    BarbaraG

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  10. Oh my gosh, that note is priceless. And maybe Drew is right!

    xo
    Claudia

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  11. I'd believe that cookies could bring world peace. Except on the occasions that I forget to send cookies to my husband's office...that brings about a riot :)

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  12. How sweet is that! Love baking for my family. Traci

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  13. Those look delish. A good peanut butter cookie is my very favorite kind. I have a little problem with self control and a full cookie jar though. Sad but true.

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  14. Thank you for the recipe! I am going to make these tomorrow for my husband! They sound delish!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  15. Your recipe sounds wonderful. Even better is that I have all the ingredients. So no excuse for me not to make them! ;)
    Maureen

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  16. Jen- I love baking from scratch too...and so do my daughters. I am so glad that you are continuing that tradition with your kids! Your cookie recipe sounds wonderful. It's funny to read this tonight because I spent all afternoon making Monster Cookies for a bake sale tomorrow. They are huge and sell for $1. each! hugs-Diana

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  17. I feel like an epic failure if Glenco doesn't have a homemade treat in his lunch - I know - sad, but true....I'm going to bake these today! I wanted to bake a cookie today. I'm going to spread world peace. Thanks Jenbee!

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  18. What a sweet note! I love baking from scratch too...your cookies sound delish!

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  19. Jennybee - I'm making them now, and I noticed there is no oven temp, unless I'm missing it cause of caffeine withdrawals....I'm gonna use 375.

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  20. I would try this cookie recipe at home and probably bring world peace too! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. mmmmm . . .

    cookies . . .

    xo
    elyse

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  22. That is the best note! I'd cook for a note like that!

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  23. Hey there! I just posted the winner of the velve fruit, and you're it! Stop by and give me your address! Thanks!

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  24. I actually think it's sad how so many people my age (I'm in my 30's) or younger have no idea how to cook unless it comes from a box.

    My mom used to encourage me from a young age to help her cook, or learn to sew, or something in the house like that so I'd know how as an adult. I just assumed other mothers did the same until I became an adult and saw other girls my age didn't know how to do anything.

    I think the low was when a friend asked my mom how to make something we had at our house and mom talked about using cream. The girl looked cofused so mom told her evaporated milk. She didn't even know what that was either.

    Bet your kids' friends appreciate your cookies because they don't get homemade at home. At least you are "planting the seed" as this older woman used to tell me when she taught my generation how to do the things she enjoyed. Your girls will appreciate this someday.

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  25. jen,
    as a teacher
    i must
    agree with
    mr. smith. a
    good cookie
    can do wonders...
    keep spoiling
    him!
    :)
    missed you at
    silver bella -
    when you have a
    chance - send
    me an email
    with your address
    in that village
    of yours. i have
    a little silver
    bella treat for
    you!

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  26. That is just the sweetest note! I would keep that forever. :)

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  27. I just became your 1000th follower! Yay! I love your blog and look forward to every post...

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  28. Just ran across your blog and was touched! Your story of re uniting with your dad is touching and hits home. My husband did not know his father until he was 25.
    Blessings to you
    Roxanne

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  29. YUM! My Hubbs has been asking for cookies.... I'm going to make some of these today...

    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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  30. My first thought was how sweet is this little Drew?! Second thought... Jen better get busy baking because we all want world peace! Kidding about all the baking. Not the world peace. Ps I bake cookies by scratch once a year for Christmas so that I can give them all away.

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