All of the time I think about the day when I'll be able to bake with my daughter. When she'll be able to sit up at the table with me and help mix the dough and add the flours and sugar. (Though I'm not wishing her infancy away - I'm cherishing each day because it does go way too fast!) But, thinking about baking with Dylan makes me think about my own memories I have baking with my old sister or my mom, which still to this day, I love doing. Sure, buying a bag of cookies or a box of cupcakes at a bakery is convenient, but I don't remember that bag of cookies or cupcakes years later. I don't remember those particular days. But I do remember the days spent in the kitchen. We have old pictures taken standing at the kitchen counter, rolling out dough or hovering over recipe books. I remember cutting out sugar cookies with my sister and learning how to lattice a pie crust with my mom. 

What is it about baking that feels so special? Maybe it's because dessert is a treat. I mean, it's not every day that we get to mix sugars and flours together. And doing so feels like a special occasion, even if it is just a regular Sunday afternoon. Suddenly the day feels so much better. And the house smells better too. :) 

Last weekend I made these oatmeal cookies. For no particular reason other than I craved just slowing down and mixing dough. I craved that lazy weekend afternoon when you don't have any plans so you may as well bake a batch of cookies.

Life is crazy, hectic and stressful. But that's only a very small part of life. Life is also relaxing, simple and sweet. We could all use a reminder that we shouldn't always be (and don't need to be) so busy. We should slow down, enjoy doing nothing, and by golly, we should be able to bake a batch of cookies. 

Oatmeal Pecan Dark Chocolate Cookies

• 1 cup butter (2 sticks), melted

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 1 cup white sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1.5 tsp. pure vanilla extract

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (you can also use all-purpose flour)

• 2 cups quick cooking oats

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

• 1-2 cups dark chocolate chunks

Directions: 

1. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave in 30 second increments until melted. Let cool slightly.

2. In a large bowl, mix the butter with the brown sugar and white sugar. Add in the egg and mix to combine. Mix in the vanilla, baking soda and salt.

3. Stir in the flour and oats and mix with a wooden spoon until incorporated.

4. Stir in the pecans and dark chocolate.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Take out and let cool slightly on baking sheet then remove to wire rack to cool completely.