That's what these are. I made them two weeks ago to post, and then didn't... and made them again because they're that good and people love them, and by association, they then love me.
It's all mathematical.
Imagine an amazing cookie bar, slathered with caramel and chocolate, baked to perfection, and just as good on day 2 (if any make it to day 2!) as the first day. And we actually decided we like them just as well at room temperature, as warm... maybe better, because they hold their shape perfectly then.
So here's the recipe, courtesy of Diamond Walnuts:
2 1/3 cups flour
2 cups oats (quick or regular)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups butter melted
2 cups chocolate chips (dark)
1 cup Caramel ice cream topping
1 1/2 cups Diamond walnuts, chopped
Mix 2 cups of flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add melted butter.
Mix until everything is moistened. Reserve one cup of crumb mix and pat rest into a 13" x 9" ungreased pan.
Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden.
Mix chocolate chips and walnuts, sprinkle thickly over the hot oatmeal base. press in lightly.
Mix remaining 1/3 cup flour with caramel. Drizzle over chocolatey-nutty deliciousness.
Top with reserved cup of crumbly mixture. Bake at 350° for about 20 minutes or until gently golden.
Cool and cut, although I bet you won't wait until they're fully cool, and that's okay. They are amazing. SO GOOD!!!
And that's it. I became an instant fave with everyone who tasted these bad boys. Oh my stars, we're still happy dancing, and I re-made them this past Saturday for a family fish fry.
#happypeople
Happy people complain less. This is probably a Chinese proverb. If not, it should be. :)
And here's another peek at "Refuge of the Heart", my newest release with Franciscan Media, a picture taken by our own Cate Nolan...
Such a beautiful book.
Such a beautiful story.
And we've sent our sweetnesses off to Kindergarten! Here's Elijah:
Megan and Brody, waiting for the bus:
And Mary Ruth:
A new time.... Look at those smiles! And all so smart, so precious, such gifts from God!
We went from holding them in our arms, feeding them, burping them, changing them, walking them, dancing, laughing, clapping, jumping, tying, giggling, learning, exploring, taping, sticking, gluing, coloring, gathering, collecting, decorating... and learning that King James was a meany pants who wouldn't let people go to their own church...
that God is their father, eternal and good...
Jesus is their brother, their friend in need....
And that the Holy Spirit is with them all of their days.
And that Grammy makes really good cookies.
It's been a great five years... and now I turn them over to someone else... at least for 6 hours a day!
Go with God, my lovelies.
