Bake a batch of love

JENNY HARPER

Family Features

Back-to-school time is exciting and a little bit scary — for parents and kids alike. Whether the kids are headed off to elementary school, high school or college, they could all use a little extra love.

I’ve found that a batch of favorite cookies is a simple way to show love to the kids — without embarrassing them in front of their peers! A couple of cookies tucked into the lunch box or a whole batch shipped off to the dorm can do wonders for someone needing a little taste of home.

If you’re going to ship a cookie care package, here are some tips to make sure they arrive fresh and intact.

Timing is Everything

Ship your cookies on Monday or Tuesday to ensure the packages arrive before the weekend. If you wait any longer, the cookies could end up sitting in a warehouse until the following week.

All In a Day’s Work

Schedule the baking and shipping as close together as possible, preferably within 24 hours. This ensures freshness. But, be sure the cookies have had a chance to cool before packing.

Handle with Care

It doesn’t hurt to wrap your cookies a few times. The more protection around the cookies, the less likely they are to break during shipping. Place two cookies back-to-back, with a small piece of waxed paper in between them. Wrap them loosely as a pair in plastic wrap. Then place them in small plastic sealable bags.

For an extra homey touch, send your cookies on an exclusive 10-inch, dishwasher-safe collector’s plate with a unique “Cookie Code” that lets you track how far your plate has traveled!

For more packing tips, cookie recipes and information on how to get a Limited Edition Please Send Cookies plate, visit www.PleaseSendCookies.com.

Oatmeal Scotchies

(Makes 4 dozen cookies)

11‚Ñ4cups all-purpose flour

1teaspoon baking soda

1‚Ñ2teaspoon salt

1‚Ñ2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

3‚Ñ4cup granulated sugar

3‚Ñ4cup packed brown sugar

2large eggs

1teaspoon vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange

3cups quick or old-fashioned oats

12‚Ñ3cups (11-ounce package) Nestl Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9 to 10 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Pan cookie variation (Makes 4 dozen bars):

Grease 15-x-10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Nutrition Information per serving: 130 calories; 60 calories from fat; 6g total fat; 4.5g saturated fat; 20mg cholesterol; 100mg sodium; 17g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 11g sugars; 1g protein

XJenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestl ® Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.

Source: Nestl ®