Recipe for Success (Mild)

Six months ago, I started my first, real grown-up job. My first day of work was the Monday after I graduated from college, allowing me a grand total of four days for my transition from university life to the real world. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that I had a job in New York City and that was good enough for me.

After my first week there, I wasn't really sure anyone liked me. It may have been in my head but everyone I passed seemed to glare at me or sigh heavily. This was bad. There was no way I could suffer through 40 hours a week of this treatment! I needed to do something drastic, and fast. Then it dawned on me: I had to bake. If my dazzling smile and can-do attitude wasn't going to win these people over, I knew some delicious cookies would do the trick.

There was only one cookie grand enough for this occasion: the Monster Cookie.

I made the cookies and put them in the kitchen with a note: "Thank you for a great first week!" I even added a smiley face to drive the point home. Within minutes of returning to my desk, I received several emails thanking me for the delicious cookies and welcoming me with open arms into the company. The monster cookies had worked their magic. Soon after, my coworkers even bought me a cookbook as a gift/strong-hint.

Warning: The friendship-effect of the Monster Cookies is not permanent. I now bake treats every week so that my coworkers continue to like me.

MONSTER COOKIES:

½ cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 ½ cup peanut butter

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp baking soda

4 ½ cups oats

Chocolate chips or m&ms (optional)

Peanuts (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine sugar, butter and peanut butter in a large bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla and baking soda. Stir until all ingredients are combined evenly. Fold in the oats and chocolate chips.

Form the batter into golf ball sized balls and place on an ungreased cookies sheet. (cookies can be larger or smaller based on personal preference)

Bake for about 10 minutes or until the oats become golden brown.

Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

Hand them out and watch the new friends come pouring in!

- Claire