Who likes Oatmeal Cookies?

Silence.

Maybe you didn't hear me. "Who likes oatmeal cookies?" I say to Don and Elli.

Silence.

"Hello??"

Silence.

I know they can hear me. Our living room is literally 6 steps from the kitchen. I just counted Don's steps as he walked from the kitchen to his red chair.

"Elli. Do you like oatmeal cookies?" I say to her. "I dunno. I don't think so." This is not going like I'd hoped. "Well, you like oatmeal, right?" I respond. "Yes." she says. "Ok. Then you'll love oatmeal cookies. We'll toss in a few mini chocolate chips too. Just for fun." Cuz everyone knows I hate raisins. There will be NO raisins in these cookies. "Ok." she said. With about as much enthusiasm as someone about to take a math test.

We never did get a response from Don. But I've seriously never seen that man pass up a cookie. I know he'll eat them.

So, after convincing Elli she would like the cookies, I talked her into helping me make them, because I had more surprises for her. It was my turn to walk the girls to dance the next day. You have to bring a snack for the six girls you're walking. My plan was to bring cookies. These cookies. ('Cuz I am an evil, evil mommy. )

I made the dough while Elli finished her homework. Elli scooped it onto the pan. In 10 minutes the house smelled like cinnamon oatmeal goodness. Elli (and Don) gobbled up 2 cookies each as soon as they were cool enough to handle.

Insert victory dance here because I'm a goof and this is how I roll.

"So Elli, I'm going to bring these cookies for the girls tomorrow. Is that ok?" I ask her. "Yes!" she said. "They'll love them. Oatmeal cookies are AWE-SOME!" This is how quick she'll change her tune. No faking it. I love that about her.

The next day I got some really sad puppy eyes when I showed the girls I brought oatmeal cookies. And I got a lot of silence. AGAIN! What's wrong with these people. So I went into super saleswoman speak, "They're home-made and really yummy. Elli made them! You're going to love them!!!!" I cheered to the group. They each begrudgingly took a cookie. And before I knew it all 12 cookies were gone and they were skipping along to dance.

Ha. I knew they would like them. Why do all the people in my life make it so hard?

(Dad, I know you like oatmeal cookies. No need to respond. And I would send you some but the silent people in my house ate them all.)

Uh, yeah. One cookie is missing from this photo. I ate it. It was gooooood.

Here's the recipe. Straight from the lid of the Quaker Oats oatmeal container.

Quaker® Oats Vanishing Oatmeal (Raisin) Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (I used dark brown sugar.)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla (I use Penzey's double-strength)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked oats)
1 cup raisins (optional, blech.) or,
1 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350º F
2. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
4. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.
5. Stir in oats and raisins or chocolate chips; mix well.
6. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheet lined with a Silpat (or ungreased sheet)
7. Baked 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. (We baked them 10 minutes so they were still soft and not crispy.)
8. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.
9. Makes about 4 dozen.


PS. So I just asked Don if he liked the oatmeal cookies. I got a nod. No actual verbal response. But a nod. What is wrong with the people in my life?????