Monday, October 8, 2007

Cookie Lovin'


Cookies are little circles of love, even when they are squares. As I've mentioned before, I love giving cookies away because the love always comes back. One of my favorite people to give cookies to is my chiropractor. He is such an appreciative receiver, moaning, whimpering, and saying, "Oh my gosh, this is sooooo good!" This must be interesting for the people in the next "room" who can hear perfectly well over the half wall.

There was, of course, the chance that he's an extra nice person and fakes it so as not to hurt my feelings. But I knew he meant it when he asked me to provide cookies for a party he was having. I was thrilled! What an honor to be asked. And I was even more thrilled when he offered to trade services. A massage? Hmm, let me think - YES!


So I made two cookies I've previously posted and his new favorite, peanut butter raisin bars. These are super easy to throw together and they always turn out great. If you like a moist bar cookie filled with fat raisins, humming with a gentle peanut butter flavor, then you really need to try these. They might not get you a massage, but you'll definitely feel the love.

Peanut Butter Raisin Bars

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
1-1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate (optional)

1- Combine peanut butter and butter in a sauce pan over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; stir into mixture. Stir in raisins.

2 -Spread batter in greased and floured 13 x 9: pan. Bake at 350 deg. F for 25 min or until toothpick comes out clean. The top should be golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

3- If desired, melt the chocolate in a microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring often. Drizzle over the top of the bars. Cool then cut into 32 bars.

Also, along the lines of what goes around comes around, the fabulous Blue Zebra of Mulligan Stew Me awarded me the "Nice Matters Award." Thank you so much! I'm pleased and honored that you chose me as a Nice Blogger. Now I have the pleasure of picking seven bloggers who I think are nice. Because they always have kind things to say, reply to the people who take the time to leave comments, and encourage other bloggers, I pass this on to:

Gigi of Gigi Cakes - A talented baker with nice things to say for everyone

Fiona of Wok And Spoon- Thoughtful and generous

Melinda of Melinda's Online Diary - Funny, real, and nice. I'd like her for my next-door neighbor.

Belinda of What's Cooking in a Southern Kitchen - All the warmth and kindness you'd expect from a southern kitchen

Anne of Simply Anne's - Busy mother, amazing baker who takes the time to be kind to others

Aimee of Under The High Chair- Another busy mom with little ones who takes the time to be kind

Fanny of Foodbeam - Talented baker with a gorgeous blog who remembers that being nice is important, too

17 comments:

Peabody said...

I love to bring food to my physical therapist office. They are like little piranhas in a feeding frenzy. By the time I am out of there they have the platter completely cleaned off and ready to give back to me. So I keep baking because they keep eating!
What a nice exchange...massage for cookies! I would be all over that.
I will have to give these a try!

Anonymous said...

What a great doctor you have! I also love to give away cookies as gifts. Everyone really seems to enjoy a fresh baked cookie. And thank you for giving me such a nice award!

Anonymous said...

Love the cookies and cookie bars.
No wonder he wanted you to make them for his party!
How very touched and honoured I am to be one of your awarded Nice Matters bloggers! That is especially sweet coming from you. (I would love to be your next door neighbor too. We could cause loads of trouble.)

Anh said...

Now i know what to make with my nearly expired peanut butter jars! ;)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I too love giving cookies away - I never bake for myself; always for others! And it's no surprise that your chiropractor loves your baked goods - who wouldn't? they always look fabulous!

peanut butter + raisins = a flavor combination I never really considered before... brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Oh they all look so good!!!!
I bet Samuel and Serena had a time not to eat the tempting cookies!!!
~Emily

Blue Zebra said...

Lynn how fantastic to trade your incredible talent for a massage! But ummmmm...I'm thinking he's getting an awfully good deal! Those cookies look marvie!!!!!!

BZ

Mallow said...

Wow, those sound good! Lucky chiropractor.

Anne said...

Unfortunately the last time I made cookies as giveaways, my youngest son told me not to do it again...ouch! ha! ha! my youngest son can be brutally frank at times :) Now, if I can make excellent cookies as you do, then I would proudly give them away ;)

Thanks for the award...I feel touched and happy to receive it from you :)

autumn said...

oh oh check my blog soon for a bar inspired by these! I am on my way to make a sweet treat right now!

Belinda said...

Lynn, what a fabulous idea to trade delightful cookies for chiropractic service! Your chiropractor made a wise trade...those cookies look and sound extremely yummy! And, wow, thank you so much for sharing your Nice Matters blog award! Awww...how sweet, and you are truly deserving of it, I have to say! :-)

Homemade Heaven said...

You are a very Nice Blogger. Looks like my computer will finally be fully operational this morning, so I can get back to the serious art of blogging - I can't wait.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Wonderful story! That's a sure sign he wasn't just being "nice" saying he liked the cookies.
I'm happy that the nice award came round to you. The award fits you very well.
Love the cookies. You are going to bring me back to cookie baking!

eatme_delicious said...

Oh excellent! I'm so happy to see you've posted this recipe. I just sent it off to my aunt. :) And those chocolate brownie cookies look really amazing too. I keep wanting to make a cookie like that but haven't yet. And how great that you have an excuse to bake cookies, and get a massage out of it!

Helene said...

Great trade off! Congrats on the award, you so deserve it!

Unknown said...

I ABSOLUTLY LOVE AND ADMIRE ALL!!YOUR WORK AND HOPE YOU POST A NEW PG. ON YOUR WEBSITE.I CANT BELIVE IT, MY KIDS ACTULLY THINK IM MAKING THEM MYSELF.BUT ANYWAY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND HOPE YOU MAKE MORE RESPIES.

kickpleat said...

woah, those peanut butter raisin bars need to go into my belly right now!