Boys and Baking

The CantStopBaking household is pretty much a male dominated domain. We've got a very masculine Big D., three very rambunctious Monkeys, and plain ole me. Sadly, my house does not smell like perfume and flowers. And you're more than likely to find a baseball mitt or stray piece of lego under the bed than hairbows and headbands. (Haven't even touched a scrunchie since 1993. Do they even make those anymore?) Having said that, I like to think that I raise my boys to have a healthy balance of boyish fun and domestic talent. I've come to terms with the fact that I won't be bonding with my oldest daughter on a chilly winter's night while baking cookies in our warm and cozy kitchen. We won't be planning our menus together or thinking up grand new recipe ideas. But whose to say I can't do that with my oldest son? I keep on telling Z-Monkey that the best cake decorators are men, and gourmet chefs are very often male. I'm not sure how much of it sinks into his seven year old brain, but hey, we can always try, right? He actually has this secret dream (that his mother is now broadcasting online) to bake and cook when he gets older, and by golly he will! As soon as he learns fractions, I am planting him in front of a cookbook and kitchen aid. And I have visions of my future daughter-in-law kissing the floor I walk on. (I've already trained all my boys to say "Mommy, you look so beautiful." Right down to Little S-Monkey.)  Anyways, the reason why I am all fired up about this now, is because we just picked up the most brilliant book from the library, and I just have to share it with you. My five year old generally pulls library books off the shelves that are: A. So long, I'd still be reading them long after the moon waxes and wanes or B. The title is so horrendous and inappropriate, it makes my eyeballs hurt and my ears turn red. (Yes, if you've seen them you know what I am talking about. In the children's section.) So when he came bouncing over to me in the library saying " Mommy, look look look at this book I found!" I was more than a little skeptical.  But the book he brought me was so adorable, and so delicious. Its just too cute for words. Here, let me show you:

Constructions trucks baking a cake. Absolute genius. My kids are enthralled with the concept. Its just too cute. Anyhow, now y'all will be wanting a recipe, I'm sure. So here's something insanely yummy to start off your week:

Brownie Cookie Dough Sandwiches

Spotted on Tracey's Culinary Adventures, who found it on Heat Oven to 350

Brownie Cookies
1 1/4 cups cocoa 
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Cookie Dough Filling
1 cup margarine
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 1/2 cups  flour
1 13 oz container marshmallow fluff
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk the cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Using an electric mixer, cream the margarine, granulated sugar and brown sugar together, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients in two addition, beating until just combined. The batter will be very thick. Roll dough into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Spray the bottom of a drinking glass with Pam, and press down on each cookie slightly to flatten. Bake for 10-11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set and the tops are puffed and cracked (but still soft). Allow cookies to cool completely on the tray. (Since I have zero patience when it comes to waiting, I let the pan cool for 2-3 minutes, and then stick the whole pan in the freezer. ZAP - cooled cookies in five minutes.)

To make the filling:Using an electric mixer, beat the margarine on medium speed until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the brown sugar and beat until well combined. Mix in the flour (the filling will be almost crumbly). Add the remaining ingredients and beat until the mixture is smooth and thick.

To assemble the sandwiches: Match the cookies in pairs by size. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the filling onto the flat side of one of the cookies in each pair.  Put the other cookie on top and press to push the filling to the edges.

Makes about 15-3'' sandwich cookies