Mom’s this is for the Dads and Kids-No Peeking!! But cut out and give to Dads

 Chocolate-Peanut Frozen Cookies

(Dad’s, this is easy enough for you and the kids to make for Mom. All you need extra to buy or make is a pretty gift bag and card and of course make sure that you have all of the necessary ingredients. Be sure to tell Mom and leave a note for her on the freezer door that the freezer is “off base” for several hours when they are “ cooking” there.)

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday so here is an easy special little something to make for her.  It’s so effortless to make and can be very low in calories as well, so I know that she’ll love it. Most of my life I was well within my weight limit and had no problem at all.  Gradually though, as I grew more mature (I hate the word “older”), I and my friends couldn’t believe what had happened to my figure.  Finally I hit a clothing size that shocked me so much, I knew I had to do something fast!  For me, it was Weight Watchers on-line.  It was easy and healthy, it worked, and within a year I was where I wanted to be. I lost 38 lbs. and that was 10 years ago. I still loosely abide by their point and food system.  Additionally, I love their recipes and here is one which I adjusted for those who don’t mind calories, but can also be easy on the belly at only 1 point each.  They are very, very good—at least I think so—and once again, so easy to make. Below in parenthesis is the Weight Watcher’s version.  By the way, Mother’s Day celebrations can supposedly be traced back to very ancient festivals like in Greece the cult to Cybele, in Rome the festival of Hilaria, or to the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration. So, here’s a cheer to continuing that tradition.

Chocolate-Peanut Frozen Cookies

Ingredients

¼ Cup Whole Milk (or fat-free skim milk)

2 Tbsp. cocoa powder–I use the best (or unsweetened cocoa powder)

2 Tbsp. sugar (no adjustment on the WW recipe)

¼ Cup Chunky Peanut Butter (WW called for the regular kind)

1 Cup Uncooked Old Fashioned Oats

2 Tsp. Butter (or 2 Tsp Canola Oil)

Instructions

You can do all of the mixing in the saucepan

1. Mix milk, cocoa powder, sugar and butter or oil in a medium saucepan over low heat.
2. Bring to a slow boil; then remove from heat.  Add peanut butter and stir into mix until melted.
3. Stir in oatmeal and mix well. (I use a wooden spoon to do all of this.)
4. Drop 16 or more spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. (I use my measuring tablespoon and a knife to do this. Then I actually pat them together with my CLEAN hands.)
5.  Freeze for at least four hours; they are better the day after you make them. Then you can put them in a sealed baggie and keep in the frig.
6. DON’t snitch until Mom gets them.

(You can also make this recipe with granola instead of oats. I buy different varieties of granola from local market bins.)

Are you a frustrated, overworked or timid cook? Call Margot for help @ 721-3551

& please feel free to email her @ margot6@mindspring.com for comments or ideas

Margot is a self-taught enthusiastic & passionate cook. Having been an inn-keeper for 5 years at her own inn, she accumulated a lot of good recipes which she loves to share.