When I was in college I had a classmate named Ben who used to show up at parties wearing an adult-sized Batman costume. It was originally a Halloween purchase but for those who knew him, it wasn’t unusual to see him out at the bar, say, in February masquerading as the caped crusader.

He also used to encourage his friends to drink beer “for the kids.” His logic? “If we drink all the beer, there won’t be any left for the kids to drink.”

I never said I went to an Ivy league school.

These cookies made me think of my college pal’s iconic mantra, “do it for the kids” because these cookies would be a great recipe to make with or for kids. I know I’m a single twenty-something and the last thing you expect from my blog are recipes perfect for kids.

Let’s be honest,though.  Sometimes, we all want to feel like a kid again and sometimes, the pure, simple goodness of a shortbread cookie topped with chocolate, marshmallows and walnuts is enough to make you feel five years old at heart.

For others, it’s beer. But we won’t go there today.

I found this recipe in Family Circle magazine, which I secretly love despite its Midwestern-mom target demographic. This recipe is simple enough to make with kids and delicious enough to make for kids – or adults – during the holiday season or any time of year.

Rocky Road Shortbread Cookies
Makes 16 cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup flour

1/3 cup walnuts, chopped finely

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup mini-marshmallows

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped coarsely

1/2 cup chocolate chips, either milk or semi-sweet

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350′, grease baking sheets. Beat together butter, sugar & vanilla until creamy. In another bowl mix dry ingredients together – flour & finely chopped walnuts. Slowly stir into creamy mixture.

2. Use a 1″ cookie scoop, scoop dough and place on baking sheet. Gently flatten until about 1/2″ thick, with smooth-ish edges. Bake 16 minutes or until lightly browned on the edges.

3. Just before cookies come out of oven, melt chocolate chips. I use the microwave – high for about 1 minute, then stir until completely melted. Watch out, microwaves vary and it is easy to scorch your chocolate.

4. Remove cookies from oven, spread with approximately 1 tsp. chocolate/cookie, then top with coarsely chopped walnuts and marshmallows. Return to oven for 2 more minutes for the marshmallows to soften.

5. Remove from oven and place on racks to cool.

Did you notice that I’ve been posting more frequently than usual this week? In celebration of National Novel Writing Month, some bloggers choose to commemorate November with NaBloPoMo,
or National Blog Posting Month. I’ve challenged myself to post daily
this month and hope that you’ll challenge yourselves to read them all!