Here in the heat of Central Texas, it is back to school time!
I thought I was okay with this. Little Butt went to Pre-K last year and Baby N and I spent some time on our own during the days.
This year, Little Butt is in Kindergarten!!
Can you believe it??? I can't! She's my baby girl! She's not supposed to be so big that she's in Kindergarten.
This year, she's riding the bus. Ugh! I hate that I'm not in control of her getting to and from school. But I know that it's important for me to let her go off and be independent.
Actually, this kid has been independent since the day she was conceived. She's so strong willed and hard headed. She drives me absolutely bonkers. But I love her all the more for it.
The beginning of the school year is a time for celebration. Kids should be excited about school and learning. I'm trying to find little things to keep her excited about being in school. Her first day, we went out for Chinese for dinner (her favorite). This Friday, we are going to make pizza for dinner!
And what school year is complete without a fresh batch of cookies waiting when the little ones arrive home with their backpacks full and their tummies empty.
These cookies are a great after school snack. Packed full of nutrient rich oats, protein packed peanut butter, and well...you gotta have chocolate chips in cookies right???
Each cookie is large enough to fill a hungry belly and satisfy both kids and parents alike. The candy on the outside gives a nice crunch (we all know I love texture in my baked goods) and the cookies themselves are soft and chewy.
If you have kids beginning their school year, or even if you don't, these cookies are just what you need.
Let's bake!
In a medium bowl, whisk up some flour, baking soda, and salt.
Now cream together some butter, peanut butter, granulated, and brown sugars.
Add in the vanilla and eggs, one at a time.
Then gradually beat in the flour mixture.
Stir in the oats and chocolate chips. Now toss the dough in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
Scoop the chilled dough into the palm of your hand and roll into a ball. Place the ball of dough into a dish of candy then smush until the dough is kind of flat.
Place the dough, candy side up, on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Bake them up then let them cool.
Serve and enjoy!!!
Soft Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from In Katrina's Kitchen
Printer Friendly Version
Ingredients:
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup milk or semi sweet chocolate chips
- Reese's pieces (I used regular size and needed 2 bags)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, on medium speed, cream together the butter, peanut butter, and both sugars until creamy. About 3 minutes.
- Stir in vanilla.
- Add eggs, one at a time, incorporating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually mix in the flour mixture.
- Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
- Place dough in refrigerator until slightly chilled, about 15 minutes.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (2 Tablespoons) scoop dough into hand, gently form into a ball and place into a dish of Reese's Pieces. Press the dough flat into the candies then place onto the prepared cookie sheet, candy side up.
- Bake cookies 8 to 10 minutes, tops will become slightly golden.
- Allow to cool on the pan about 5 minutes then carefully remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Serve and enjoy!!