This is a recipe taken from my sweet friend Judy Purcell’s blog, Savoring Today. She has very graciously allowed me to post a couple of her articles here for you all to see. Enjoy =)
When our youngest started attending high school I wanted to be sure we stayed connected, so I began baking cookies on Fridays for us to share. The aroma welcomed her at the door and I was ready with milk and a listening ear. After two years, it is still a standing weekly date for us to linger over a sweet treat and share our hearts.
Unlike a recipe, there is no formula for connection—it is not automatic. Our kids are not robots. Like us, they too have mood swings, rotten days, momentary joys, disappointments, tight schedules, whimsical notions, or bad attitudes and you never know which of these will walk through the door. I have learned that simply being available to engage in the moment, face to face, deepens relationship and offers refuge so often needed after a long week.
Sometimes life happens, days get busy, or I am simply tired, but the cookies are baked and the connection takes place. On those rare occasions when I cannot be home to enjoy them with her, I leave the cookies still cooling on the racks for her to find. She knows she is thought of even in the midst of a hectic pace.
One Friday, it was getting late when I noticed there was not enough flour in the house for even half of a batch. Out of time to get to the store, I remembered my friend’s cookie recipe that she makes from a cake mix. With Ghirardelli Brownie Mix in the cupboard, I decided to give it a whirl. It worked like a charm and Ghirardelli Brownie Cookies were ready, right on schedule!
GHIRARDELLI BROWNIE COOKIES
1 Ghirardelli brownie mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
3 tablespoons flour (1/3 cup for high altitude)
1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or nuts can be mixed-in (optional)
Mix flour into brownie mix. Slightly beat eggs with oil and mix in. Mix-in any add-ins until combined. The dough should be stiff like cookie dough.
Bake at 350° for 10-11 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies, less if the cookies are 2″ or smaller. One recipe will make 24-30 cookies, depending on the size. Let cookies rest on pan for 2 minutes, and then cool on baking racks.
Oh My! Just the name gets me excited! i am definately going to have to try these!
I am always looking for ways to connect with teens (I am good with small children, not so good at teens) I like the idea of using cookies to help connect!
Thank you so much for sharing!! Like Heather I too am just embarking on the teenage years and am always looking for ways to engage with my older ones. I have so many traditions carved out that work really well for my little guys but am finding that those traditions don’t always translate into the older years. I really want to be purposeful about tying those heart strings, I know “life” happens and all to often and I can easily get carried away by my long to do list and responsibilities. Thanks again Sally. I have just recently found your blog and read your book Dancing with the Father. I’m telling everyone about it. It has changed my life and perspective!!! Thank you for all you.
Brownies are my absolute favorite food, and I adore Ghiradelli chocolate! I’m definitely bookmarking this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
What a “sweet” way to build precious memories and a relationship! I think we often get caught up in trying to do BIG things to build in those special times, when really, it’s the love expressed in the little things that add up to make a BIG IMPACT!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful book collection on Raising Homemakers. I’ve read a couple of your books (read one two or three times!) and I’d love to read more. Your ministry of motherhood has blessed our family – thank you!
Mrs. Clarkson,
first off I am writing to thank you for the giveaway over at Raising Homemakers.
however, the reason I am so excited about it, is because I am newly jumping into the world of homeschooling, pulling my oldest 2 out of the public school system, (I have 4). A kind women lent me her copy of Educating the Whole Hearted Child. I gave it right back! Because I knew I needed my very own copy to have dog eared and well loved on my shelf. Your approach is so different than many of the others I have read, and it has set me free to approach this new venture with joy instead of worry. thank you for your wisdom, speaking truth, and your example, Blessings, Mandy
Yum – those sound great!
Also, thanks so much for all the books for the giveaway over at Raising Homemakers. That is a very generous donation that anyone would be blessed to have.
Trying this recipe–and am loving the ministry in my home I am seeing develop thanks to women mentors like yourself and The Lord guiding me.
Hi, I am part of the Good Morning Girls group that is studying your book and I have also started a blog. I wanted to blog about what I have been reading both in your book and through the bible and what ever else I might be studying. I have a few different studies going on right now. Point is, I don’t know the rules about quoting people or copyright laws and such. So, I guess I just wanted to ask permission to throw some quotes out of your book into my posts. To talk about what I got from them…is that ok.
Thanks,
Momma
My 17 year old daughter loves making brownies. I am going to encourage her to make these cookies. She will be graduating in 13 days and while she plans to attend the local junior college for one year, I know it is almost time for her to spread her wings and soar. I am going to miss smelling her brownies cooking. I also wanted to thank you for offering your books at Raising Homemakers. It is a lovely gift to share.
Oh. My mouth is watering!!
Just found your blog via Raising Homemakers. I am excited about your fabulous give-away! I’ll be visiting your blog regularly. Thank you! I am a momma in need of encouragement!
Oh my! Those look so good!
I wanted to come over from Raising Homemakers and thank you for the generous donation of your books as a giveaway! I want to spend some time browsing around your blog now!
Oh, yum! Brownies+ Ghiradelli are two of my favorite things. These cookies look delicious! I only have a hum-drum box of Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines brownie mix in my cupboard and I don’t know if I can wait for a trip to the store for the real thing…
Thanks for sharing! ~K
OMG! These BROWNIES are ah-may-zing! Did I mention the ooey-gooey chocolatety goodness it brings to my mouth? YUM!
OMG! tese cookies are ah-may-zing! did i mention the ooey goeey chocolatey goodness it berings to my e and my mouth! yuuummmmaay. as lil wayne said “like me like ya lolipop”? I WANT ONE OF THSE SBABYS!
There were so good and so easy to make. I had a bag of mini chocolate chips and a bag of white chocolate chips that I mixed together. They were a big hit!
Fantastic recipe!! My friends and roommates loved them! Best of both worlds: cookies and brownies
THANKS SO MUCH! I had a gharadelli recipe, but no 8 by 8 pan… I would have rather had the brownies, but these helped my chocolate fix!!
These are so delicious…I made them again today … I even doubled the batch because they were so good. Part of them, I added peanut butter, and instead of the flour, I used oatmeal. Very tasty~