Tasty Treats

A Nostalgic Seasonal Treat

(Culinary.net)

Cooler weather often stirs nostalgic cravings for seasonal dishes and desserts. From Grandma’s classic pies, to the sweet taste of apple cider touching your tongue, the flavor, spice, sweets and treats of fall are just waiting to be devoured with family and friends alike.

Home chefs know it’s time to tap into the flavor of fall once that first leaf drops to the ground. The pumpkins are set on porches, and little ones bundle up to go outside and play in the cool breeze. Everyone can tell when the seasons change and the time arrives for cozy, autumnal delights.

The kitchen, often known as the heart of the home, and homes all over the nation will smell and taste like fall festivities all season long with this recipe for Oatmeal Cream Cookie Sandwiches. The best part about this timeless recipe is that it evokes memories from childhood and can help introduce members of a new generation to a treat many generations before them have enjoyed.

Easy to make and pretty to look at, these cookies are great to put together with little ones after a long day of pumpkin carving. Let the kids help with the preparation. Their little hands can help add and mix ingredients, many of which may already be in your pantry. The mouthwatering result? Soft and slightly chewy, cinnamon-spiced oatmeal cookies sandwiched around a fluffy layer of vanilla bean cream filling that will have each member of the family reaching for another.

Serve them to friends, neighbors, kids and adults. You’ll have the pleasure of being the bearer of autumn’s flavor and the recipient of glowing smiles. This recipe is something scrumptious that makes a statement for the upcoming season.

Find more seasonal dessert recipes and fall flavors for your family at Culinary.net. Oatmeal Cream Cookie Sandwiches

Servings: 10-12 Oatmeal Cookies:

1 c. unsalted butter, softened 1 c. dark brown sugar 1/2 c. light brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 t. vanilla extract 1 1/2 c. flour 1 t. baking soda 1/2 t. salt 1 t. cinnamon 1/4 t. ground cloves 3 c. rolled old-fashioned oats

Vanilla Bean Cream Filling:

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened 2-1/2 c. powdered sugar 1 t. vanilla extract 1 T. heavy cream

Heat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

To make oatmeal cookies: With a mixer, cream butter, dark brown sugar and light brown sugar on medium-high speed until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix until combined.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and oats. Gradually add oat mixture to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Spoon dough into hands and roll into balls. Flatten balls and place onto prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around edges. Move cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

To make vanilla bean cream filling: With a mixer, cream butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and heavy cream; mix until combined.

Pipe or spoon a large dollop of filling on bottom sides of half the cookies; top each with second cookie.

EASY AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK IDEAS

Check out these easy— and fun—snack ideas for your kids:

ANTS ON A LOG

This is a classic. Wash and slice celery sticks and fill them with peanut butter (or any nut butter) and top with raisins. You can even use other dried fruits if you wish to add a variety of flavors.

SILLY SNACK FACES

Take rice cakes and spread cream cheese, peanut butter, cheese sauce or another spread. Provide your child with raisins to use for eyes, apple strips to serve as a mouth, grated carrots to use as hair, etc. You spread them and let your child do the rest. The kids love to get creative and have fun before they gobble down their snacks!

KEBABS

What kids don’t love to play with their food? Take Popsicle sticks (safer than skewers) and cut up various fruits into cubes. Help your children thread them onto the stick to make a kebab. Give them some yummy caramel dip or cream cheese for dunking.

YOGURT PARFAITS

Get some fun cups (try the dollar store to find some fun ones that can be your parfait cups) and layer in yogurt and then fruit with another layer of yogurt and fruit. Top with nuts, granola or even chocolate chips. Yum!

TRAIL MIX

Purchase various nuts, raisins, dried fruits, granola, popcorn, pretzels and some M&Ms. Pour equal amounts of each item into a large bowl. Cover, shake and snack!

FRUIT CUTOUTS

Use mini cookie cutters to cut shapes out of all sorts of things. One idea is to slice various fruits (kiwi, apples, pears, peaches) thinly and then use small cookie cutters to cut them out into fun shapes. The kids think they are eating a star and don’t know it’s good for them.

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