I recently had a baby.
He was born on Monday, March 28th. I was home from the hospital by Wednesday, March 30th.
I had baked a batch of cookies by noon on March 31st.
I am definitely a crazy obsessed baker. And not a very good listener.
But one thing I had done to make things a bit easier is to allow myself a few shortcuts. Like not beating myself up for using a box mix. Or frosting from a can.
I just couldn't stand for long periods of time, so if I was going to be doing any baking, I needed it to be quick and easy. (you might be seeing a lot of 'quick and easy' around here for a few weeks.)
Anywho, since I had to go back to the hospital on Friday, April 1st, for my follow up appointment, I wanted to bring a few treats for the wonderful staff at the hospital.
So I made these.
They could not be easier.
Ingredients:
1 bag Betty Crocker Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie (Or you can use the plain Oatmeal Cookie)
1 bag Peanut Butter Cookie
Any additional sweets of choice. In the past I have added caramel bits, heath, more peanut butter, gourmet chocolate, cranberries, etc. The sky is the limit! (The link also goes to a 'from scratch' recipe if you are opposed to the semi homemade version)
For these cookies I added:
1 container blue M&M's (For our baby boy!)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
I put a few dozen cookies into cellophane bags for all the nurses and doctors who were so kind and helpful to me. Thank you all!
But I also saved a few for my family and for guests... cause these cookies are good.
Like, seriously, amazingly, wonderfully good.
Probably my favorite cookies besides sugar cookies. Probably the easiest cookie I have ever made.
Probably going to be made many, many more times in this house.
You gotta try them.
You wont be disappointed.
You are crazy...but that's why we love you! :)
Hope things are going well! The cookies look yummy!
God Bless
Posted by: janis | Apr 09, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Congratulations !!!!
And my best wishes for you and your little baby.
:-)
Posted by: morgana | Apr 09, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Congrats on ur new baby boy!!!!U take care of urself...I am going to have to make those cookies...They look yummy!!!
Posted by: Rebecca Lira | Apr 09, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I am here to back up your claim that you are, in fact, a crazy obsessed baker.
And just crazy in general.
But these cookies look WONDERFUL, so....it works.
Monster cookies are one of my favorites...thanks for sharing such an easy way to make them!! You know I'm all about shortcuts.
xoxo
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Apr 09, 2011 at 03:41 PM
Congratulations on your new baby! It is hard to believe that you had the stamina, time, or inclination to make cookies to share but they sure do look delicious.
Posted by: NerdGirl | Apr 09, 2011 at 03:43 PM
Congratulations and best wishes.
Take care of yourself.
Lovely treat ♥
Posted by: Ana Powell | Apr 09, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Congratulations!! You must post some pictures!
Posted by: Maris (In Good Taste) | Apr 09, 2011 at 04:15 PM
Aww...so cute. Congrats on your new baby boy!
Posted by: Becky | Apr 09, 2011 at 04:33 PM
OMGosh!!! Congrats on the sweet baby!!! LOVE the cookies, too. Definitely going to have to try them.
Posted by: brenda | Apr 09, 2011 at 04:40 PM
Congrats on your precious boy!
Posted by: A Sweet Intent | Apr 09, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Congrats on the birth and I am so glad things seemed to have gone well!!
Cookies look YUMMMM
Posted by: Melissa | Apr 09, 2011 at 04:45 PM
You are obsessed, but in a good way! Congrats on your new little darling!
Posted by: Sue | Apr 09, 2011 at 05:00 PM
You are so thoughtful, Amanda! These sure sound yummy!
Posted by: Katie | GoodLife Eats | Apr 09, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Only you would be baking the day after getting home from the hospital, lol. You are unstoppable! I'm sure the staff at the hospital really appreciated it.
Posted by: Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen | Apr 09, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Congratulations! The cookies look amazing, what a lovely gift for the hospital staff!
Take care, we are sending our lve to you and the new little man in your life :)
Posted by: Lucy Nash | Apr 09, 2011 at 05:21 PM
I love shortcut recipes! I am sure everyone loved them, they are cute and sound delicious!
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | Apr 09, 2011 at 05:49 PM
I love these, easy and delicious! Can't believe you were baking the day after you got home! I waited a week! Ha! :) Congratulations again.
Posted by: Jennifer Nixon | Apr 09, 2011 at 06:26 PM
You are such a sweet peach! I'm sure the staff loved your treats...now be sure to treat yourself!
Posted by: Wenderly | Apr 09, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Girl you put all of us other mommys to shame! :P Seriously! I wish I would have done something like this for the doctors and nurses at my hospital. :[ My baby's first birthday is this month maybe I can do it on his birthday and they wont think that's weird! :]] These cookies are beautiful and I'm sure they are good because I use the betty crocker mixes all the time when I send cookies to my husband who is deployed and they RAVE about them! :]] Congratulations on your precious baby!
Posted by: JRod | Apr 09, 2011 at 07:37 PM
You make me look bad! ;-) I always sit on my butt for days after I have a baby. Well, actually I try to get up and do bursts of laundry and dishes and stuff and then regret it because I feel so bad afterward.
Posted by: Kristin | Apr 09, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Congrats!
Posted by: justJENN | Apr 09, 2011 at 08:49 PM
You are so sweet, Amanda. Don't you know those nurses and doctors loved you even more when they tasted your cookies!?!?
I can't wait to see more pictures of baby Eddie. I know he's such a love.
Posted by: Robyn | Add a Pinch | Apr 09, 2011 at 09:19 PM
Crazy lady! You make me laugh with all your cooking. I understand though, it is good therapy. :) I love the feeling of accomplishing something that can't be undone in 2.5 seconds. Hope you all are doing great!
Posted by: Bethany | Apr 09, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Congratulations! You crack me up with baking so soon, I would be doing the same thing. I would have a breakdown if I couldn't bake...which is why I am chubby!
Congratulations :)
Posted by: Hannah | Apr 09, 2011 at 09:36 PM
They look amazing! This might be a really stupid question, but both bags are combined and require the stated butter or egg requirement, correct?
Posted by: Christine | Apr 09, 2011 at 09:42 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Panya | Apr 09, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Leave it to you to be back in the kitchen already:D The new baby is adorable, I hope you are enjoying every moment with the lil' guy!
Posted by: Lucy @ The Sweet Touch | Apr 09, 2011 at 10:50 PM
i am SOOOOOOOOOOOOo hungry! I forgive you for baking fresh out of the hospital! You have to have SOMETHING around to keep your strength up =)
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | Apr 09, 2011 at 10:52 PM
You have been sooooo on my mind! Congrats on that precious bundle of baby!!!! I cannot imagine getting up to bake for others right now...it should be all about you and your new little one! Bless your heart! Glad to hear you are keeping us posted....ha!
Posted by: "Mich" Michele | Apr 09, 2011 at 10:58 PM
No doubt the Dr's and Nurses were delighted to receive these. Love the packaging in the bread pans. Hope little Eddie is doing well and that his Mom is too!
Posted by: Paula | Apr 09, 2011 at 11:22 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! March babies are the best ;).
Posted by: Jessiker @ Jessiker Bakes | Apr 10, 2011 at 12:08 AM
congrats,,,cookies look too good,,
Posted by: notyet100 | Apr 10, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Congratulations, you'll have a very eager taste tester in the future. By the way, you are a genius! I will be making these for Easter with Easter colours.
I made your rainbow cake recipe and though it's not as dazzling as yours, I am very happy with the results! The party guests were pretty happy too. :-)
Posted by: Casey | Apr 10, 2011 at 02:12 AM
The fact that you baked the hospital staff cookies while recovering from a c-section tells me how much alike you and I are. I did the exact same thing after having back surgery. They're adorable, Amanda.
Posted by: Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies | Apr 10, 2011 at 08:56 AM
Mazel Tov on the birth of your son!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And as much as I ALMOST always bake from scratch, there are times when picking up a mix in a situation, works just fine.
I learned a long time ago, not to beat myself up for not doing everything from scratch.
Not one person has EVER asked..........or even said " Oh my god I will not eat this unless it is from scratch!!!!!!!!!"
Love you because you are up front about something that a lot of others try to hide.
Enjoy the new baby. He will grow up on the table next to you, watching everthing you bake, as my kids did.
Posted by: shari | Apr 10, 2011 at 09:31 AM
congratulations!! Quick and easy recipes are ALWAYS welcomed!
Posted by: Irene | Apr 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM
These cookies look wonderful- and thanks for the easy-to-follow recipe!
Posted by: Miri Leigh | Apr 10, 2011 at 11:25 AM
You ARE obsessed! Take it easy and don't overdo. You've got enough to do. I swear, if I had been blogging when I had mine, well, I wouldn't have been blogging!!
(There weren't any computers anyway.)
Posted by: Barbara | Apr 10, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Congratulations! These cookies are cute and I bet really tasty, too!
Posted by: Celeste | Apr 10, 2011 at 05:11 PM
I love how easy these are...I also love that you are as obsessed with baking as I am! I know I would've done the exact same thing! Congrats again, Amanda!
Posted by: Jamie | My Baking Addiction | Apr 10, 2011 at 06:41 PM
I love your honesty. These look just wonderful, like YOU. Thanks!!
Posted by: trish | Apr 10, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Congratulations !! These cookies look beautiful :) Blessings to you and your family at this precious time :) xx
Posted by: Christine | Apr 10, 2011 at 08:23 PM
I'd like to know where you get your energy! With a brand new baby, wow! These are so fun - I love the blue M&M's!!!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Apr 10, 2011 at 09:09 PM
Cool. Thanks for the permission slip to go pre-mix! Us bakers need a reminder every once in a while! And congratulations on the arrival of your new little guy!
Posted by: | Apr 10, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Seriously, Amanda, I don't know how you are finding the time to turn out all these fab treats with a newborn, but I'm selfishly not complaining!
This make want like a dozen or more!
Posted by: naomi | Apr 11, 2011 at 09:43 AM
You amaze me... seriously. Already making cookies?
Posted by: Kristen | Apr 11, 2011 at 10:15 AM
I'm so glad you're back to baking, my dear.
Posted by: Shaina | Apr 11, 2011 at 11:50 AM
you had a baby, is that like a secret you have been keeping. i am so excited for you and I love there cookies
Posted by: Trooppetrie | Apr 11, 2011 at 01:29 PM
ignore my last comment, I did know you were pregnant, just not putting 2 and 2 together today
Posted by: Trooppetrie | Apr 11, 2011 at 01:38 PM
What a lovely idea to bring these for the hospital staff! You are too sweet!
Posted by: Tracy | Apr 11, 2011 at 02:11 PM