No-Bake "Dream" Cookies

I decided to do something a little different this time. I've been inspired by another blogger; (http://thepioneerwoman.com/) but please don't compare my blog to hers...she's a PROFESSIONAL!!) 

While attending school in the 60s, 70s and 80s, the cafeteria ladies would make what they called "dream cookies".  They were basically 'no-bake' cookies.  They were dreamy. But we only got one.  So as I got older, my Mom taught me how to make them with a recipe she got from...well...not sure where she got it.  All I know is, they were DEE-LISH!!  And if you didn't make them in just the right way, or under the right conditions they were either very gooey, or very dry.

For instance; you only need 1/2 cup of butter or margarine.  Which is basically one stick. Well, my mom decided to buy some different brand one time, and these 'sticks' were 'shorter'.  They didn't look the same as the other ones.  And I didn't read labels back then. I just knew you put in ONE stick of butter.  However, these looked smaller, so I added TWO.  Needless to say we were eating those cookies with a spoon.

I have also discovered that the humidity level matters as well.  If it's too humid (above 70%), there's a chance they may not 'set up'.  So fall/winter is usually the best time to make them here in southwest Missouri.

Okay....enough of the small talk; here's how I make them:

Put 1/2 cup of butter/margarine, 2 cups of sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, and 1/2 cup of milk in a 3-qt saucepan.

*hint: mix the sugar and cocoa together really well before you add it to the pan. 

Here's what it looks like so far:

 

Bring this mixture to a ROLLING BOIL.....stirring occasionally. Now it looks like this:

Once it comes to a ROLLING BOIL, set your timer for ONE minute, and DON'T stir.

Then remove from the heat and add the following:

1/2 cup peanut butter, 3 cups QUICK cooking oatmeal, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 cup chopped pecans (opt).

Now you have this:

(Don't worry, it will look better soon!)

(See, I told you.) 

Mix this up really well, then drop by tablespoon-full on cookie sheets lined with waxed paper.

 You should end up with something like this:

I let them 'set up' for about 1/2 hour, then transfer the cookie sheets to my refrigerator.  After about another hour, they should be set enough to transfer to a container. Make sure you keep them tightly covered. I also put mine in the refrigerator. It seems to help them from drying out (as long as you put the lid back on everytime you get one, two, or ten out).  

Another thing, our schools always made them square. So I'm assuming they poured the entire batch onto the cookie sheets, then cut them into squares after they set up. I haven't really tried that method yet.  Maybe they just greased the cookie sheets first? Perhaps with butter? Or I guess you could cover the cookie sheet with the waxed paper making sure it hangs over the edges. But you'd have to flip it over and peel off the waxed paper before you cut them or you'd have little bits of waxed paper to pick out of your teeth.  I prefer the 'spoon' method myself.

ENJOY!!

MOPACC

I am a member of MOPACC....Missouri Professional Association of Court Clerks.  It is made up of clerks around the State who work in the court system. They are clerks who answer the phone, greet the public, make endless copies of files, deal with difficult people (who some times are Attorneys).  They are supervisors and office managers of those court offices.  And we even have some members who are the elected Circuit Clerks themselves.  The organization has been around for over 30 yrs. I have worked for the Courts for 19yrs, but have only been an official member for 2 yrs. (just call me a 'late bloomer')

My supervisor/office manager signed me up and the office pays for our membership fees. Once a year we have a conference where all the members gather in one location for 2-1/2 days to learn, listen to other clerks, laugh, and have fun. It's a nice get-a-way from the everyday hum-drums of the office.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful office manager and Circuit Clerk who allows me, her and another manager to attend.

The State is basically divided into 10 'regions' made up of 10-12 counties a piece. Each region has their own 'director' who oversees getting information out to their region about membership in the association, as well as the conference information.

The director serves for 2 yrs; and this year the current director for our region had already served for 4 yrs and was really wanting to step down.  SO.....who did my sweet manager nominate?  ME.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to accept that responsibility or not!  She promised to help me.  I'm going to hold her to that.

Easter 2010

Easter weekend began with a lunch at Billy's parents; so we all got together and had a scrumptous lunch:

But before we all dug in, the little ones went outside and had some fun with bubbles:

THEN we ate.

Then it was time to hunt for eggs!!

No, not THOSE kind of eggs.....

THESE kind of eggs!!  (the nice purty plastic ones that you can fill with goodies!!)

So let the hunting begin!!

Our oldest granddaughter knows just how to fill up a bag!!

 While our youngest one still needs a little help from Dad.

(Annabella....THERE'S one!!!)

Then it was time to FLY KITES!! YAHOO!!!

GO Sydney...GO!!!

Tinker Bell had some problems with flowing with the wind.

"Tinker Bell...I'm coming to save you!!"

Here's our son, trying to fly his HUMONGOUS kite.

Yes, THIS son.

Once they were tired of kite-flying, the youngest cousins decided to rest on the swing.

Aren't they adorable!??!

And this is what happens when you let the oldest granddaughter borrow your camera:

All in all it was a fabulous day.  Great weather, great family and great food!

Billy & I pray that you and yours have a blessed Easter and that you are able to attend a church service somewhere in your area.  We will be celebrating with our church family and I am blessed to be able to sing with a great choir and play in a great handbell group.  Hallelujah, He IS risen!!