A GRANDMOTHER'S GIFT

Posted: Monday, December 13, 2010 by Lucy & Michael

We have such a hard time thinking of the perfect gift for the grandmothers in our lives.  It’s a challenge to really show them how much we love and appreciate them.  Add in the fact that they pretty much buy for themselves whatever they want, and we’ve got quite a quandary.

Our answer to this year’s greatest grandmother gift comes from the book Kids in the Holiday Kitchen (available on our website at www.lucyandmichael.com). 

We’re going to have our children make the cookie mix jars pictured on the bottom right corner of the book cover.  We’ll layer all the dry ingredients for our favorite cookie recipe (see below) – oatmeal, brown sugar, chocolate chips, toffee pieces – and pat them down into a homey glass jar.  Then we’re going to tie them up with ribbons and make cards.  Here’s the best part…on the card, we’ll ask to make a date to make the cookies together! 

It’s the perfect thing – homemade by the children, sweet, and the promise that wonderful memories will come from time spent together. 

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Preheat the oven to 375.  In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, cream together the butter and sugars.  With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time and the vanilla.  In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.  Mix in the oatmeal.  With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet.  Stir in the chocolate chips, toffee bits, and pecans.  Using a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon measure, place dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake for 8 minutes.  Makes a TON of cookies!

For the Grandmother Gift Jar, layer all the dry ingredients in a clear glass jar.  Have the children write the recipe (or print this one out and have them illustrate), and attach it with a homemade card and ribbon.  All set!