Hola! How’s life, blog friends? I know I’ve been blogging less frequently lately but life has been too hectic (yes, even without a full time job). So I come today with amazing cookies to make your life a little sweeter. Can you taste them through the screen?
No? Ok, then you should definitely make them. These babies were incredible!!
What, you’re still trying to keep cookies out of your house as part of your New Years resolution to lose a few pounds? I have 2 things to say about that.
1. Are there really people out there that still remember their New Year’s resolutions on January 30? I’m serious. Are there? I can’t seem to remember mine. Sad truth.
2. If you make these cookies, you can taste 1 or 2… and then gift them. Trust me – the recipient will very happy. Very very happy. And making your friends even better friends this year is a really good thing to add to your resolutions.
See? Win-win 
A few weeks ago it was my friend Katy’s birthday and I was trying to figure out the perfect gift for her. She’s a doctor so the girl is pretty much living in the hospital. I wanted to give her something that would relax her on some especially exhausting day. Since my mind always goes to food, I thought that maybe baking cookies would be a nice activity for such a day (truth be told, on days like that I prefer to mindlessly shove cookies into my mouth until I pass out. Slowing down and actually baking some is a way better approach. I think Katy agreed!). Katy rarely has time to go grocery shopping so I thought a cookie mix would be a good compromise – homemade cookies, homemade taste – a lot less measuring and planning necessary. Again, win-win.
So I researched and researched. And I found this guide to oatmeal peanut butter jar cookies. They looked perfect!
Of course I wanted to bake a test batch and also to give some to Katy together with the mix so she wouldn’t need to work for her cookies right away. 
[Side note: I tried baking them on an ungreased cookie sheet and on a silpat. The results were identical!]
They came out even better than expected!! They were soft and a little gooey on the inside, yet hearty with the addition of oat). And of course the mini peanut butter cups (from Trade Joe’s) made these guys extra special. Everything is better with chocolate! 
I made another batch of the mix for Katy…
… and completed the gift with a peanut butter jar (since you have to add pb to the mix), a cookie scoop, and some pretty tags. Honestly, I couldn’t be more proud of myself. The gift turned out SO CUTE!!
Don’t wait for the holidays to shower your friends with homemade gifts. Or to eat cookies.
Are you into DIY gifts? I’d love to hear some new ideas… I’m really digging them these days
These cookies look fabulous! What a great flavor combo. And I love the idea of the cookie mix in a jar! I keep meaning to try that. You’ve inspired me.
Do it, do it!
So cute! What a great idea. And I love those teeny tiny PB cups from TJs!
Oh yeah, those pb cups are definitely dangerous if you’re not careful
I could seriously go for a few of those cookies right now. Luckily I didn’t make any NY resolutions because I’m certain they’d be forgotten by now!
I made coffee flavored infused candles and put them into adorable mugs for Christmas for friends and I also LOVE making my own soaps and wrapping them up. I made violet, chai tea and cinammon/ginger ones for people, too. Really easy and fun!
That sounds super awesome!
Aw, i love this! How nice to give gifts for any reason!
I gave cookie mix jars to co-workers for Christmas. I hope they actually used them and made some cookies!
My friend makes these delicious, adorable Valentine truffle cake pops and gives them away in little tin buckets! YUMMY!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakesbydiva/5346574499/
So pretty!!
I’ve seen that company that sells these for an arm and a leg all over the blogosphere. NIce to see one blogger show how easy and inexpensive it is to make yourself.
Yeah, it’s super easy. You just need a good base recipe that fits perfectly in a jar and you’re golden. I’ve seen those mixes too…pretty cool but out of my budget. Plus I like knowing that I put it together
I made oatmeal PB cup cookies in a jar too – as Christmas gifts. Definitely a fun idea!
http://acambridgestory.com/post/14452858764/holiday-gifts-cookies-and-soup-in-a-jar
What a sweet and thoughtful gift!
Homemade gifts are always the best, especially when peanut butter and chocolate are involved!
love the idea of gifting some of the cookies along with the mix! and the mini pb cups are a perfect cookie partner
I love this. First of all, oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips always wins over oatmeal raisin for me. And add in peanut butter? I’m drooling…all the things you added to the gift are great! I’ll let you know when my birthday is coming =)
This is such a great idea. Simple, fun, delicious, and completely adorable. Plus the cookies sound yummy!
I LOVE this… Homemade gifts always make me feel all warm & fuzzy inside since you can tell they’re from the heart.
I too enjoy making homemade gifts, from designing my own greeting cards with pretty ribons and personalized quotes/messages to making a special package for a loved one.
I’d rather receive a homemade gift then some big, expensive jewelry any day : ) I i guess my boyfriend lucked out on that one… I’m a cheap date haha