Kiersten’s Blog

Melissa gave me a recipe for these really yummy peanut butter cookies.  I think I’m a pretty good cookie maker but I haven’t been able to master peanut butter cookies.  They always turn out too crunchy for my taste.  I love a soft cookie.  This recipe was just the ticket.  I’ve made this recipe a couple of times but yesterday I tried a new twist to it.  Since going off dairy, I’ve tried to not even use dairy in my baking.  I didn’t have a suitable substitute for butter.  I guess I could have used shortening or margarine but shortening didn’t sound good and I don’t have any margarine.  In lieu of butter this time, I used a mashed banana.  I also substituted white flour for freshly ground wheat flour.  I had to use a little more flour than the recipe calls for.  I was a little worried that they would turn out bad but I was pleasantly surprised at how good they are.  Sure, they’re not the best cookie I’ve ever eaten, but they’re pretty darn good.  You can definitely taste the banana.  It gives them kind of a unique flavor.  So without further ado, here’s the original recipe:

Peanut Butter Cookies

Adapted from the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

11⁄4 cups all-purpose flour

3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda

1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup peanut butter at room temperature

3⁄4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (for sprinkling) sugar

1⁄2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1⁄2 cup peanut butter chips

1⁄2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside. In another large bowl, beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Add the milk and the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in the peanut butter chips. Place sprinkling sugar on a plate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls into the sugar, then onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Using a fork, lightly indent with a crissscross pattern, but do not overly flatten cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake. Cookies may appear to be underdone, but they are not. Cool the cookies on the sheets for 1 minute, then remove to a rack to cool completely.

I’ve never used peanut butter chips and chocolate chips in them.  I’ve only used peanut butter or nothing.  Also, I don’t always roll them in sugar.  That’s just too much work for me.  Plus, who needs all that sugar?  Not me.

I know Memorial day was a couple of weeks ago, but it’s never too late to document a fun day.  It was a nice day with the family.  We got up early and went to the beach.  Taylor wanted to surf so while he was in the water, I took the kids for a walk in the stroller.  Taylor was still in the water when we finished our walk so we got out our stuff and London played in the sand (dumping a bucket right into my diaper bag) while I fed Ashton.  We left the beach by 10:30 before the crowds arrived and went to Ikea for their free breakfast.  After London finished playing, we headed downtown to Horton Plaza.  I was really looking for a nursing shirt and I knew that the Gap carries them, but apparently they don’t have them in that store.  We were home by 1:30.  I love it when I do a whole days worth of activities in just a half of a day!

Ashton's first trip to the beach

That’s right.  No more dairy for me.  Ashton (who’s 2 months old today) can’t tolerate it.  At least I think that’s the problem.  I decided to go off of it a few days ago to see if he would be happier.  A happier baby is a happier mommy.  There had been a lot of screaming in our household, especially at meal time.  He didn’t want to eat and would scream because he was starving, but also scream because he was gassy.  For the most part, he has been much better.  Today wasn’t so good.  Maybe that butter on my toast was just a little too much for him.  Anyway, no dairy is a really hard thing for me.  I have cereal every morning for breakfast.  I have cheese on just about everything.  I also have ice cream very frequently.  In fact, right now I’m going through ice cream withdrawals.  The good news is, maybe I’ll lose some of this excess baggage on my belly.  No cheese and no ice cream?  This is tough.  It will be all worth it (I think) if it keeps this adorable little guy healthy and happy.

Taylor’s done!  He made it through the year and now has until mid-August off!  Sure, he’ll still be prepping for the coming year and writing a dissertation, but for now, I’m loving the time we have together.  I got home from my walk this morning to a clean bathroom, freshly vacuumed carpets, and laundry in the washer.  I think I have a keeper!

Ashton and I on "Toy Story 3D"

We celebrated summer yesterday by spending a drizzly day at the happiest place on earth.  London earned her stickers with a lot of encouragement from us.  We had a good time.  London had to dress in her Minnie Mouse dress, heels and all.  We told her that she could, as long as she changed after we saw Minnie.  The first stop for me was the mother’s area to feed Ashton while London and Taylor played on the rides.  Next stop: Minnie’s house.  The line to see MInnie was the longest line of the day.  After hugging Minnie, London cooperatively changed into her Minnie Mouse t-shirt so spend the rest of the day in comfort.  Taylor and London got to go on lots of fun rides each time I had to stop to feed Ashton.  The trade-off was, I got to sit down.  Taylor didn’t do that all day, except on the rides.  Taylor and I switched off watching the kids so we could each take a turn on “California Screamin’”.  London was really upset that she couldn’t ride that coaster because she thought “The Matterhorn” was the greatest thing ever.  She got to ride it twice (once with each of us).  I find it ironic that she’s such a thrill seeker.  She won’t even go down the big slide at the park by herself!  Even after all the fun rides, if you ask London what her favorite part of Disneyland is, she’ll say “the characters.”  She gets so excited to hug them.  All in all it was a great day and we all came home totally beat.  After all, I guess that’s what Disneyland’s all about!