Final exams

Most of you know that I have one daughter in her first year of high school and one in her last.  So this is the only year I’ll have two girls writing exams at the same time.  Last week, cumulatively, they wrote French, English (grade 12), Functions, Chemistry, Bio, Math and Science.  Teeth were gnashed, brows were beaten, cookies were eaten.

I remember using cookies to help me through exam stress too.  While in university, my friend Sandra and I once ate an entire bag of Fudgee-Os while preparing for a third year Advanced Microeconomics exam.  (All these years later, even thinking about that course makes me feel like reaching for a bag of Fudgee-Os.)

I made these s’mores cookies in an attempt to cheer the girls in the midst of a grim week, and it worked fabulously.  It also cheered me immeasurably, in a week made busy with driving girls to and from exams, and organizing last-minute camp, travel and university plans.  What we didn't eat ourselves were taken to a Science study session at my younger daughter's friend's house.

Next week, cumulatively, the girls will write Calculus, English (grade 9) and Health.  Do you think another round of cookies will be required?

Make these cookies if anyone in your house is writing exams, or if you’re busy planning for summer, or if you just like cookies.  Because the world always needs another cookie recipe, but never more so than when you’re studying for finals.

S’mores Cookies

(adapted from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures)

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup mini marshmallows (approximately; I used three mini marshmallows per cookie)

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

In a medium bowl, whisk the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking soda and salt together.  

In a large bowl, beat the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about two minutes.  Beat in the egg and vanilla.  Add the flour mixture and stir until combined, then add the chocolate chips.

Drop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about two inches apart.  Bake for 9 minutes, then remove from the oven, and quickly but gently push three mini marshmallows onto the top of each cookie.  (I baked one tray at a time to make this step a little easier.)  Return the cookies to the oven and bake for an additional 2 – 3 minutes. 

Makes 20 – 24 cookies.