Of Muses and Meringues

The compliment

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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. 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.

    Reply

  6. 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 😉

    Reply

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

    Reply

  10. 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.

    Reply

  11. 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

    Reply

  17. 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!

    Reply

  19. 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!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *