The compliment

Sunday, January 19, 2014
When you get to a certain age, you realize you aren't cool anymore.

You get song titles mixed up, you mispronounce band names.

You listen to the wrong radio stations.

Sometimes you even know their school teachers on a first-name basis.

That why's you appreciate compliments any way they come. And I got one of those yesterday from a friend of my sixteen-year-old daughter. A few girls had come over to work on a project, and I was trying to stay out of their way. But when I finally came downstairs, one of them looked at me and said, approvingly, "You dress like a normal person!"

I assume that is the opposite of dressing like a mother. And I will remind my daughter of that compliment the next time she catches me listening to the wrong radio station.

Nobody minds me being a mother when I bake cookies like these. Delightfully old-fashioned, they're spicy and soft, and a perfect after-school snack for daughters, mothers, and anyone else who loves a good cookie.

By the way, I asked my daughter to proofread this post before I put it up. She suggested I change the word 'hip' (which I originally used in the first sentence) to 'cool'. Because apparently hip isn't cool anymore, at least if you're a mother.

Molasses Raisin Cookies
(adapted from Robin Hood Flour)

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar (first amount)
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup raisins
granulated sugar for rolling (second amount)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream butter and 1 cup sugar in large mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, until light and creamy in texture. Add molasses and egg. Beat until well-blended.

Combine flours, baking soda, spices and salt in a small bowl. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Mix well and stir in raisins. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. Shape dough into 1" balls, and roll in sugar to coat well.

Place on prepared baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes.


29 comments:

Jemi Fraser said...

Too funny! It's always good if you can manage to be a mom AND a normal person! :)

Barbara said...

So glad my kids are now old enough to just smile at my old fashioned adjectives. Even my 21 yr old granddaughter no longer rolls her eyes. Exasperation turns into respect when you get old enough. I guess I am officially a geezer. Hah!
Love the looks of your cookies..crunchy on the outside.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Heck, I for some reason I didn't think the word cool was hip anymore. ;-) Great cookies - and they're very cool. Not to mention hip! Thanks.

Catherine said...

Dear Beth, I don't think I was ever cool or hip. lol
I certainly would enjoy one or two of these cookies anytime of day. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

Anonymous said...

Great post and great cookies!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

I'm pretty sure these cookies would be popular in our house too. When my 16 year old needs fancier treats than brownies, I always feel appreciated. Also when my college freshman took some of my clothes with her--though I had mixed feelings about that one ;-)

Valerie Gamine said...

I'm right at the cusp of losing my 'coolness.' Good to know the word 'hip' is taboo. :D
Love your cookies!! I need a batch of these right now - I've been craving cookies all weekend.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Such a funny compliment. I think I must try this recipe. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hey no matter what you wearing if you come downstairs with a plate of these delicious cookies you are the hippest mom ever!

Julie said...

Beautiful cookies!! Funny how we are in the eyes of our children. We do become cool (or is it hip?) again when they get older. Have a great week.

Display name said...

Ehehe...too funny. I take my daughter's advice seriously...and she is my only critic I can stand. The cookies look fantastic....I bet they loved it. You are a great mom! :) ela

CQUEK said...

This looks wonderful - I gotta make it.

Stephen Tremp said...

I'm afraid my coolness is slipping away. Sometimes I use this to my advanatage and use it a a culture clash with my kids. Just to mess with them a bit.

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

I need a few of these cookies in my life right now!

Belinda said...

The compliments of compliments - lovely! Sure these will never go out of style!

nancy at good food matters said...

very funny post! of course you would never be unhip or uncool serving these cookies. I love that you made them with whole wheat and all-purpose flours. good work!

Unknown said...

Haha, we all go through the "not cool" stage. What's great is when they grow up and have their own families and all of a sudden you are pretty cool again :) I can see why they love these cookies - molasses cookies are a favorite of mine too and I love the addition of raisins!

Daniela Grimburg said...

OMG, this sounds so familiar:)
Your post really made me smile.
The cookies look so good and tempting, would love to try one right now!

Katerina said...

I know exactly what you mean Beth! I was wearing a skirt that was just above my knees the other day and my son asked me "Why are you dressed like this" I asked him what did he mean and he said that this is a girls' type of dressing, like I am a soldier or something haha! Anyway, the cookies look absolutely delicious and and when it comes to food only mothers can deliver!

Joanne said...

Ha! I can't say I've ever said anything like that to my mom...although she does dress like a normal person also. :P

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

Ha, too funny! And these cookies look fantastic - YUM!

Angie's Recipes said...

:-)) You are a cool mom, Beth.
These cookies look great!

grace said...

oooh, these look so chewy! this would be one of the few acceptable vehicles for raisin consumption. :)

Caroline Taylor said...

Great story, these look so good.

Bindu said...

I got the "cool" from my daughter too.

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Wonderful post! And a super cookie recipe that sounds so moist with the molasses and raisins, Beth! Hope you're having a great 2014!
Roz

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, your Molasses-Raisins-Cookies look like the perfect cookie treat to enjoy in the afternoon, a moist and delicious kind of cookie, just like the ones I like to bake and eat! Fun post too!

Anonymous said...

Haha, I love your story! You dress like a normal person!

For the record, I totally think you're cool. I think this recipe is cool as well!

Beth said...

You are so sweet, Allie! Would you mind talking to my daughter?

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