Off To School Snack

Our sweet neighbors have a sweet daughter who is near and dear to my little guy's heart.

He says she's his "Best Katie".  To say he's smitten is putting it lightly.  (And who wouldn't be?  Look at her...athletic, smart and beautiful!)

He's shy around her, hugs her, plays Wii with her and generally wants to be around her when she's around.

Now being around Katie will be more difficult than just running across the square.

Katie is leaving for college.

Did you hear me?

COLLEGE!   And it is in another state.  Waaaaa!!!!!

Actually, it is a bunch of states away from us, but we are so excited for the adventure she is about to start.

She and her parents drove her up yesterday to get her settled in and I knew I had to make something to help sustain them on this trek.

I'm made Monster Cookies.  You may know them as Cowboy Cookies or Everything But The Kitchen Sink Cookies.  We call them Monster Cookies because they are so darn big.

Plus this recipe makes, like, a million cookies.

Well, not a MILLION, but a lot of cookies.  Perfect for snacking on while driving across multiple state lines.

*I'm sharing the recipe, but please forgive the lack of pictures while I'm baking.  Seems I forgot to take pictures until I was almost done.  The recipe is straight forward, so I figure if you all can follow a recipe, we're all good. *

MONSTER COOKIES

1 C butter, softened

2 C sugar

2 C packed brown sugar

3 C creamy peanut butter

6 eggs

1 1/2 tsp corn syrup

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

4 tsp baking soda

9 C rolled oats

1/2 lb M&M's

1/2 lb chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, cream butter, sugars and peanut butter till smooth.

Beat in eggs, 2 at a time, then corn syrup and vanilla.  

Mix in baking soda and oats until well blended.  

Stir in chocolate chips and M&M's.

See my mixing bowl?  It's still THAT full after 3 or 4 pans of cookies...

Place 2 in balls on cookie sheet.  Flatten slightly with a fork. 

Bake 10-12 minutes, then remove and cool on cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack.

Make these for someone leaving for a fantastic adventure.  Or for a college football team who happens to come to your house for a snack.

We love you, Katie!