Maple Oatmeal Cookies

Mothers are everything for us when we are young...our lives revolve around Mom. For everything that we need we call Mom. To protect us from all perceivable dangers we want her around us. To take us out we hold her arms. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and love we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should we say divinity on earth. On the special occasion of Mothers Day pay tribute to your mother - the greatest blessing of God on you.



 There is simply no way we can ever really thank mother for all she has done for us. She is the one who would be awake all night when we are sick. Praying to God to make us well and be ever ready to bear the pain that we may be experiencing. She is the one to wake up early in the morning to make the morning muffins and endure all our tantrums. Mothers are the ones who would forever complain that we are not eating enough or not eating right. She is the one who made all the holidays so special, taking time to think of what we may be wishing for, and surprising us with a delightful event. Your Mother would cook all sorts of things so that we will be strong and healthy. Mothers in fact, worry more for our school examinations than we would. They would take pains to help complete our school projects leaving her chores behind, and later staying up late to finish the dishes or pay the bills. Juggling dinner with ballet, soccer, football, gymnastics, basketball, dance squad, girl scouts/Campfire, T-ball and tap lessons.

 Mothers are the one on whom we put all the blame for our failures. We would not hesitate once to point her single faux pas though she would not miss even a slightest opportunity to praise us. Isn't it tough to imagine how she must have endured our temper tantrums when we were teenagers. And how hard we must have made her life by behaving so rude and difficult. And yet she was so astonishingly cool. It it easy for the kids to be so demanding from parents, specially mothers as we take her affection and care so much for granted. Most often to the extent of selfishness. Mothers Day is the right time to apologize for all the troubles that we gave to our moms, without even realizing at most times how troublesome we must have been to her. 

 Mothers Day is the perfect day to celebrate the joys of having a mother. It is the time to make amends for not being able to spend quality time with her. So turn your wrongs right by making all efforts to give a perfect Mothers Day to your mother. Think about her likes and dislikes about gifts and idea on celebration and act accordingly. Strive to make Mothers Day absolutely hassle free for your mother and take the responsibilities on yourself for a day. Pamper her a little on this special day of hers just as she pampers you all the year round. Give her a warm hug, big kiss, spend some time with her and make her some cookies as you wish her a Happy Mothers Day! 

Maple Oatmeal Cookies
Food and Wine

8 ounces of unsalted butter (2 sticks)
3 c. rolled oats
2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 c. packed dark brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. pure maple syrup

Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed skillet set over medium heat, whisking constantly, then cook until lightly browned bits form in the bottom of your skillet and the butter is light tan in color with a nutty aroma, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; butter will continue to brown after removed from heat. Transfer butter to a medium bowl and place in the refrigerator. Chill for a least 1 hour.

Adjust oven racks to upper and lower third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment or a silpat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand mixer, add the browned butter,  dark brown sugar and sugar. Beat on high until the mixture is fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and maple syrup until just combined. With mixer on low, add the oat mixture in 2 batches, beating just until combined.

Drop 2 inch balls of dough onto prepared  baking sheets using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop. Flattened slightly using the bottom of a glass or custard cup. Bake, rotating baking sheets halfway through cooking time, until cookies are uniformly light brown, 12-14 minutes. Let cookies cool on baking sheets until set, about 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. 

*Convection oven bake 10-12 minutes, no rotation of baking sheets
*The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months 

 I hope you enjoy your Mother's Day! I will be spending Saturday with my 95 year old Mother! I am so lucky to still be able to have her in my life! We are going shopping, lunch and dinner! Woo Hoo! On Sunday, I will enjoy time with two of my children, their spouses and my grandchildren. I think the boys are cooking! Yay!

Here is my little grandchild, Madison Lee, giving one of my delicious "Maple Oatmeal Cookies" to her Mom, Holly! Also, the newest addition Mackenzie May!