Dear Pencil Manufacturers,
I am just wondering why all number 2 pencils come unsharpened? I would gladly pay a little extra to have them come fully sharpened. As a mom of three school-age children, you can imagine the stress my poor hand endures as I sharpen 36+ pencils at this time of year.
Now I know you are wondering why my children don't take over and do their own supplies. Well, I am kind of a last-minute girl, so sharpening takes place after they are tucked in bed, and I am frantically trying to get all those bags and bags of school supplies organized and labeled for the next morning.
We do own an electric sharpener. Now, I know this may sound like it would be even easier for the kids to do their own, but... believe me, it's not. They never seem to realize that pushing it harder into the machine doesn't make it sharpen faster. Also, there is only so much storage space for shavings in those little machines. The pencil sharpener takes a beating after they sharpened just one or two pencils. It would be torture to listen to them do 36.
Colored pencils come fully sharpened, and all I have to do is put initials on the box, and they are good to go. I am thinking that you would save a lot of moms some pre-school grief if you would stock our local Walmarts with boxes of #2 pencils with sharpened points.
Just a small suggestion from a stressed-out school mom.
Now that the supplies are organized and labeled, I think it is time for a cookie. You would like a cookie, right? Of course you would. Cookies make everything better. These ones are even better because they have a hidden jelly surprise. Surprise cookies are the best kind, aren't they?
These would make great after-school snacks for your kids over the next few weeks as they get started on their homework. Go ahead and bake a batch and surprise them as they get off the school bus.
They will surely award you the "Best Mom of the Day" award. And that is really what we moms want, right? To be the best Mom each and every day!
Recipe
Raspberry Filled Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
- ⅔ cup seedless raspberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with a Silpat or parchment paper.
- Beat butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Add the egg, milk, and extracts and beat again.
- Slowly add the baking soda, salt, cornstarch, and flour until a soft dough forms. Mix in the coconut gently.
- Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to make 30 dough balls. Press 15 balls flat and divide the Nutella into the center. (It will be a little more than a ½ tablespoon for each)
- Press the remaining 15 dough balls flat, then cover them with the dough. Pinch the edges to seal them shut, then roll each ball into a ball again. Roll each ball in the remaining granulated sugar.
- Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 9 minutes. Let cool on the hot pan for 2-3 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 346Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 239mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 6g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Laura@Cowboy Boots says
stumbled upon ur blog...glad i did...i'm drooling! these look sooo yummy!
Jenn Erickson says
Jocelyn, I'm soooo right there with you on the pencils. Most pencil sharpeners (electric and non) kinda stink these days, so starting out with a freshly sharpened pencil from the factory would be awesome. I'm also really amazed by the difference in quality from brand to brand of pencils. At the absolute bottom of the barrel are the Office Depot brand -- they splinter and sharpen unevenly. They make better kindling than a writing tool. My favorite is still the classic Dixon Ticonderoga. Sheesh, I'm such a nerd for pencils. Sorry for taking off on that tangent...
Your recipe sounds delightful! I'm sharing a link over on my FB page...
Jenn
The Procrastobaker says
oo oo oo i LOVE the look of these! Coconut is one of my favvouuritee things and i adore surprise cookies! 🙂 i dont have rum extract but is there a way i could use rum instead? (i also have malibu could that work or would that taste funky do you think?)
sanieannie says
Um, it's called an automatic pencil sharpener. I've had mine for over 10 years now! The girls LOVE using it! It doesn't take very long to sharpen a pencil or two. LOL
Clare says
These look and sound delicious! Definitely bookmarking for a baking day. 🙂
alissa {33shadesofgreen} says
Wow, do these ever sound delicious! Thanks so much for linking up.
Alissa
Lisa says
Great mix of flavors with the raspberry and coconut! These sound so yummy!
april@gingerbread says
no way...i need these with my coffee in the morning!
xoxo
carissa says
i like this cookie idea... it sounds light and refreshing! it might make me feel a bit less guilty. and you have a good point on the pencils. hehehe!
Sara says
Those look so good! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kirsten @ Mushki Loves says
Oh yum! I need to make these very soon!
Kristin says
I think that's a fabulous idea Jocelyn! Start a #2 pencil revolution! Cookies sound great...I love both coconut and raspberry! Hope the kids are all happily out the door for a new school year!
The Clegg Family says
Looks yummy! This will be going on my list of cookies to try 🙂
Brandi says
Yum! Two of my favorite things, coconut and raspberries!