Monster Cookie Bars #bloggersforsandyhook

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Last Friday the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary shook our nation.  Having a man enter a school building and then taking the lives of children and teachers was almost unthinkable.  As an elementary school teacher I cannot even imagine what went through the heads of the teachers during this event.  Even though we practice drills throughout the year a real shooting in a building with that many elementary school children would have been terrifying.  That many of them were able to be level headed enough to round the children up, put the children in the closets, and lock the doors is remarkable.

My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the community, and the students and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary.  I can’t fathom how they are continuing on in their daily lives and pray that they are able to find some comfort in knowing that the entire nation is thinking of them and praying for them.

If you would like to donate to help the victims and their families of the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook please go to the Newton Youth and Family Services Website.  They will be providing support and counseling services to the students, faculty, and their families left in the wake of this tragedy.

In this sad time a group of bloggers have gotten together to share cookies and crafts in tribute to the 20 little angels and 6 teachers who lost their lives last week.  In addition to sharing a recipe many bloggers have Etsy shops or businesses and have expressed a desire to donate some profits from sales on Friday, December 21 to this organization or others to help the victims, their families, and the community. I will be donating all of the profits of sales in my Etsy store (HezziD’s Baked Goods and Crafts) made today to Newton Youth & Family Services.

Today I am sharing a cookie recipe that is great to make and eat with children.   So think about getting into the kitchen with your child, giving them a big squeeze, and spend some quality time making cookies together.

I picked out Monster Cookie Bars because there is no wrong or right way to make them.  You can put just about anything into them that you want.  The recipe I found called for refrigerated cookie dough but I made my own instead because it’s so easy.  These are also great cookies to make with kids because the add-ins don’t have to be measured exactly and the kids enjoy stirring in all the different goodies.   I really liked the bars because they got crispy on the edges but were soft and chewy on the inside.  The combination of oats, M & M’s, chocolate chips, and nuts was perfect.

Monster Cookie Bars (adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Food Gifts Magazine 2011)
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
3/4 c. rolled oats
1 c. M & M’s (or other candies)
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. honey roasted peanuts (or other nuts)

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil making sure the foil hangs over the edges.

2.  In a large bowl cream the butter and sugars together.  Mix in the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

3.  In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Pour the flour mixture into the butter mixture and mix well.

4.  Stir in the oats, M & M’s, chocolate chips, and peanuts.

5.  Pat the cookie mixture into the prepared pan.  Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

6.  Cool in the pan on a wire rack.  When cooled lift out using the foil.  Place on a cutting board and cut into 18 bars.