Intro
Yesterday (Thanksgiving day) was the first time that I can remember where scrolling through my Facebook feed produced nothing but delight and joy. Friend after friend recorded long lists of thanksgiving. There were pictures of family and of tables filled with food following gleeful descriptions of all the good in their lives. There were also some friends whose thankfulness transcended sickness, loss of family, pain, and suffering. I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with my own gratitude as I read the gratitude of others. I could then easily see passed the sickness that rocked our own family and the annoyance of a car accident (no one was hurt!) that happened the day before.
The day before Thanksgiving I read this fantastic article about the science of happiness. It’s great, I’d highly encourage you to read it. It turns out my mom was right, when you smile, even if it’s forced, you’ll start to feel better. My value in authenticity often forces me to tell the whole story, to suppress the smile when I don’t feel like wearing it and to not hold back the good, the bad and the ugly. I think at times that’s fine and okay to not withhold your truth but this line in the article really hit me: “This Thanksgiving, don’t express gratitude only when you feel it. Give thanks especially when you don’t feel it. Rebel against the emotional “authenticity” that holds you back from your bliss.”
I want to be a rebel. Especially when that looks like giving thanks in all things.
The turkey has been put away, the lingering can of cranberries tucked away for another year and the leftover pumpkin pie is now reserved for breakfast, but I’m determined that our day of thanks transcends the days to come. Even if my Facebook feed returns to its normal political fanatics and everyday grumblings, I hope to continue in the mindset of thankfulness.
Let’s start with cookies. It’s quite easy to be overcome with gratitude with a plate of cookies in front of you. These ones are special. Transformative even. You see these humble looking sandwich cookies transformed a friend from one who “doesn’t like peanut butter cookies” into a friend who “really loves THESE peanut butter cookies.”
They’re really my version of the well known Girl Scout Cookie call the Do Si Do. Usually I stick to the Thin Mints and Samoas (best when frozen) but this year Gabe snuck in a box of the Do-Si-Does and it was the first one emptied. So naturally my next move was to figure out how to make them myself because these cookies need to happen more than once a year.
First of all a sandwich cookie is always a plus as really it’s two cookies in one. Perhaps it was the sweet, salty and buttery filling that converted our friend or the crisp and crumbly cookie that is packed with oats for a pleasant heft. One can never know for certain but the whole sandwich is a sweet and salty delight. So much so, in fact, I think your holiday cookie platter just found a new friend.
Homemade Do Si Dos
1 1/2 dozen sandwich cookies
3/4 Cup all-purpose flour
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1/4 Teaspoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup butter, softened
1/2 Cup /125 g creamy peanut butter
1/2 Cup white sugar
1/2 Cup packed dark brown sugar
1 Egg
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Cup quick cooking oats
Filing
6 tablespoons / 85 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
3⁄4 cup / 190 g smooth peanut butter
1⁄3 cup / 40 g confectioners’ sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon flake salt
For the cookie:
In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add egg and beat well.
In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir. Add oatmeal and stir.
Drop by teaspoons onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12- 15 minutes, or until cookies are a golden brown at the edges.
For the filling:
Cream together the peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar. Add the salt then stir to combine very well.
Let the cookies cool before adding 1 teaspoon peanut butter filling to the bottom of 1/2 of the cookies then sandwich with another cookie.
Beautiful writing and stunning photos as always – my mother-in-law gave me Oprah’s book “What I know for sure” when I was going through my PPD. I thought my whole life was spiraling out of control and the last thing I felt was grateful. By forcing myself to say what I was thankful for each day, in turn made me more present, more grateful for the positives, and brought a calm over me I couldn’t get any other way. It saved me in a dark time. Thank you for sharing this article; so true and such a good reminder!
Oprah is the queen of gratitude. I’m so thankful that the practice of gratitude helped you get through a hard season. Welcoming a babe into this world is hard in so many ways but I’m so glad you found help. You’re an inspiration as I seek to develop my own habits.
Stuck in a hospital with a sick child this holiday, the peace I feel is preternatural. So I give thanks for that and that my daughter is not suffering as much, is healing slowly. Do si dos are something cheerful to look forward to. Fake it til you make it works.
I’m so sorry. Praying for healing. I wish I could bring you a plate of these cookies right now.
I believe in honesty, but it sometimes seems that people use the excuse of being honest to be cruel to each other. Gratitude is a state of mind, not an event.
I’m one of those people whose not really into peanut butter cookies- they look like they could convert me.
Lovely and true. Even after my crap year I still found that all I felt this holiday was total gratitude. Cookies definitely help! Sending love to you and those kiddos. ps. Let’s be neighbors?
Girl, I would be honored to be your neighbor. P.S. I just put the Eiffel tower on my mantel. It’s a symbol of making Paris happen.
I actually made it my New Years’ Resolution last year to be more thankful for the things in my life, not material things, I am speaking of the meaningful things – healthy kids, good friends, a good husband etc. Once I made it a habit I found it now comes naturally – to think of someone out there in the world who is suffering with their own issues that are far worse than mine is very humbling.
And you were right – my holiday cookie platter was missing a peanut butter cookie. Not anymore! Thanks Ashley
Shannon, thank you for telling your story. I’m eager for the day when my gratitude is a habit. I’ll be honest, I’ve reverted back to grumbling so quickly. But I’m aware and my desire is so deep for gratitude. Hearing your story is such an encouragement.
And I’m thrilled these cookies have found a home with you.
Yo, do-si-dos used to be my favorite! I had forgotten all about them until seeing this post and now I’ve got to try yours. I’ll let you know how it goes!!
Yum – these are some of my faves, going to have to try them!
First, your words never fail to inspire me, and I really appreciate the timely reminder about being more grateful. A thankful rebel – love it! Secondly, I know my kids would love these cookies for an after-school snack, so I will definitely be making them very soon! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
These cookies look fabulous! I can’t wait to try them.
I love your words and your recipes- you have such a special way. Thank for the reminder to give thanks despite circumstances. Hard sometimes, but always worth it. Cookies look amazing. 🙂
These were delicious! I added more confectioner’s sugar to the cream filling, but otherwise made as described. My mother, not knowing the origin of the recipe inspiration, said, “They taste just like Girl Scout cookies!” Success! My favorite thus far this year!
Yay!! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back to here to tell me that. Makes me so happy.
Hi Ashley! These look like the perfect snow day cookie. Wondering, did you use “natural” peanut butter or more a la Jiff variety? I feel like the peanut butter texture can make a difference and I want to use what you used!
Thank you so much, Hazel
What kind of peanut butter did you use?