So as you may know John and I went to Ithaca last week. Lots of hiking, chowing, reading, some more chowing, and some more hiking... Here are some highlights!

I don't know why I like this picture so much but I totally do haha

bzzzzz



We were very lucky to have a friend loan us her house while we were there all week! Gretchen and Mike got married a little while back and now Gretchen lives in Rochester with him... which means her house that she is selling in Ithaca was open for us to crash! She has such an adorable house and it was a pleasure to stay there! She also gave us a ton of places to go try out... I'll totally write about them later in case anyone is planning a trip there!

As a thank you I wanted to bake them something so here is what I baked tonight! It's a spicy version of an old favorite. The batter is so good even before it's cooked... I totally licked the bowl clean and then later while walking past a mirror realized I had left some of the cookie dough on my face... oh yes I'm just so classy! :D


Spicy Oatmeal Crisps

Ingredients
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional- but so good try it!)
dash teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine, softened
2.5 onces (one small container) of Gerber prune puree baby food
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup regular oats
Cooking spray

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 8 ingredients (flour through salt) in a medium bowl. Beat sugar, butter, prune puree and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat well. Stir in flour mixture and oats.

Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until crisp. Cool on pan 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pan; cool on wire racks.

These cookies spread like mad, so don't let them get too close to each other or they will end up smooching while they bake! Smooching cookies so scandalous! I totally put mine too close... most of them were making out by the end of the baking session. Must have been HOT in that oven! :D

Chow!