Final exams

Sunday, June 17, 2012

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

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.

41 comments:

Belinda said...

I have to admit, I am SO glad to not be in school any more. I cannot imagine taking any more tests!! But surely, these would soften the blow any day!

Neesie said...

You've almost made me want to sit an exam Beth...but on second thoughts maybe I could just make a batch of cookies.
Would that be allowed I wonder?
I definitely think another batch of cookies will help the girls...Good Luck to them both.
Have a great week :D

Bonnie said...

Oh I do love cookies. They are my one weakness:) A s'more made into a cookie? Who could want for more. I know all the exams will go well. I don't know which is hardest... taking the exams or watching your children stress over them. Good luck to all! Bonnie

Unknown said...

I am making these cookies tomorrow. My daughter is starting midyear exams and is also in her last year of high school. She is going to love these!

shaz said...

Very best wishes for your daughter Beth! Wish my mum baked me something this yummy when I had exams :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

My daughter just finished her 9th grade finals and is done with school. We're so glad. We survived the week with brownies.

This recipe sounds great. Thanks for sharing it.

Jess said...

This is brilliant! The kids have fire pit parties in the backyard all the time (once summer hits) and they're always making s'mores. This is a perfect substitute to serve with rainy movie nights! Um, and by the way, you sound like the best mother ever :)

Beth said...

That's so nice of you, Jess, but remember -- I get some of those cookies too!

Carol said...

Those cookies look great! I can see how such a nice treat would help with the stress. My daughter is finishing her last HS exam this week, and soon I'll have to send cookies in a college care package for stress relief. Hers and mine :) Good luck to your girls!

Jeanne said...

More cookies are always required! Or in this case, s'more cookies are required! ;) Good luck with the exams, girls!

Angie's Recipes said...

Beth, these cookie look so beautiful with dotted marshmallows and chocolate chips. Simply delightful!

Anonymous said...

I hope the girls do well on all their exams. You certainly made life a little nicer for them with your delicious cookies.

Valerie Gamine said...

Beth, these cookies look wonderful! Nothing like s'mores to take one's mind off their studies for a while. (I think the next round should be brownies!) :D

Stina said...

My 12 year old has more provincials this week. I bet he would love cookies, especially for breakfast. :D

Cathleen said...

Haha, I remember my calculus exams and midterms. I had so many "midterms" (like 2 or 3 in a term.. How is that a "mid" of the term??) that I would buy these HUGE triple chocolate muffins which I called "midterm muffins", but would have them when finals rolled around. It felt like those muffins and exams went hand in hand.
These cookies definitely look exam worthy.

Anonymous said...

What yummy cookies!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Would you mind sending these cookies to me please? My exams are on right now too and I am gnashing my teeth ;)
Yum!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Joanne said...

I ate a lot of sweet and salty Chex mix during finals period. And Ben and Jerry's. But cookies, especially these, would have been an awesome alternative! Good luck to your girls!

Barbara said...

Exam time is stressful for everyone, Beth. Your cookies will definitely help....even at my age, a cookie like this puts a smile on my face.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Boy, I wish I knew you when I was taking exams! But now I'll have the cookies just because, no exams needed (I'm never taking another one of those ever!). And I agree that the world always needs another cookie recipe! Good post - and tell your daughters good luck on their exams this week.

Anonymous said...

I'd be all about studying if you brought these cookies to me!

Angela said...

What a cool recipe! You can't beat s'mores.

Vi said...

I still think of finals come this time of year and am so thankful to be out of school :) It's not a fun time but these cookies look divine!

Cucina49 said...

Those are delicious-looking cookies, and I'm sure your daughters appreciated them. Hopefully their exams went well!

Anonymous said...

I love the way the mini marshmellows spread out into perfect circles in each cookie. These look just amazing. We don't have exams, but we are choc-a-block with birthday parties and end of year stuff. I currently can't tell if I'm coming or going from all the activities and now spending a good part of the week at the court house as part of a jury duty panel. I think one of these cookies would cheer me up though.

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine a better way to study or recover from exams than a big plate of cookies. And yes, the world *always* needs another cookie recipe.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! i would love to try it.

Katerina said...

Oh God, i don't even remember how many exams I had in my life! I wish I had such cookies to cheer me up when I studying!

Kathy said...

Oh my, these look so decadent and delicious!! Perfect for getting your girls through their exams!

Julie said...

I love the flavors in these cookies! Cookies always make everything better!!

Ellen B Cookery said...

These cookies look so delicious! No need to rely on exams though, I can see these being made in our home often!

Cindy said...

These look like the perfect study partner! I have company coming for 2 weeks--I need a cookie!
Tell your daughters good luck on their coming exams.

Jennifer Kendall said...

what delicious cookies! these sound like the perfect summer cookie!

julie said...

I love how the marshmallows stand out like big puffy clouds on top of the cookie. That treat would make anyone happy! I hope your girls do well on their exams. Where is the oldest planning on studying next year?

Anonymous said...

Cookies are great for de-stressing. I usually eat Oreos, but I'd love to taste s'mores cookies.

Elaine said...

I love the polka dots of mini marshmallows in your cookies. Cookies are the perfect stress reducing food for sure. Yes, I think you probably have already made a batch or two of cookies this week. ;)

Mary said...

These cookies are the best possible way to get through final exams! Good luck to you surviving the week along with them.

grace said...

i adore marshmallows--i'd slip them into everything if i could. these cookies are definitely brain food. :)

Anonymous said...

We just got through a tough high school exam period here too. I wish I'd thought of cookies!

Daphne Elliot said...

Awww. You are so sweet for the exam cookies. I agree they can help with studying. These look comforting and super tasty!

A Canadian Foodie said...

They are lucky daughters to have a momsey like you during exam time, Beth! Love your new site look - new to me - know I have been MIA, but am back.
:)
Valerie

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