Bipartisan cookies

In case you hadn’t noticed I am a whole wheat kind of girl. I use whole wheat in almost all of my baking. White flour is the enemy; however, I must admit it is in my pantry but is usually reserved for pie crusts, German pancakes, and the occasional dessert that would be totally ruined by whole wheat – think éclairs! So, when a neighbor dropped off these heavenly snickerdoodle cookies last Christmas, and my son kept begging me to get the recipe and make them, I knew I was going to need to bend my rules. There was not one drop of whole wheat in the cookies, and I was sure I couldn’t duplicate the recipe with 100% whole grains.  Fortunately, most cookies can be made with half hard white wheat flour and half all-purpose flour, and no one is the wiser. In fact, that is how I made the recipe, and no one even noticed. “Did you do them with white flour?” was the question in my sons pleading eyes as I pulled them out of the oven. “You tell me?” was my response. “Yes! Thanks Mom! They are so much better with white flour.”  And, a compromise was made.

In honor of our Presidential Debate this evening, I suggest some concessions for all respective parties and their spin machines. Would it really kill them to admit that the other guy and his party isn’t all bad? I would love to hear David Axelrod – the epitome of a sleazy used car salesman – or Sean Hannity – the biggest homer for the Republicans – say just one kind word about their respective opponent’s performance, political party , and their ideas. And, just so you know if 95% of the country admits – including the President himself – that his performance was subpar, you look like a homer when you emphatically declare him the winner – just saying, uh, Donna Brazile. 

   

This might seem like a novel idea but what if we put aside our selfish desires and political agendas and thought about what is actually best for the country and the next generation. Do you think we might vote and legislate differently? I say, “Yes!” Might a Republican be seen recycling a box? Oh my, could they admit that might be good for the environment and the planet we are leaving to our children?  And, for all democrats who advocate more government programs, I ask that they take my son to get his driver’s license when needed. Might a day spent waiting in line to get a number, in a line to pay the fee, and another  line to get his picture taken offer the necessary time to have the much needed epiphany that government does not run things better than the private sector. How many long lines do our children need to inherit? 

So, in thinking about the next generation, I can show that I can compromise. Let's hope the grown-ups who want to run this country can do the same.

Snickerdoodles

2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature

2 2/3 cups sugar

5 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 1/4 cups white wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Beat butter. Add sugar and cream well.
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla
3. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture. Mix thoroughly. Dough will be soft.
5. In a small bowl, combine 6 tablespoons sugar and 4 teaspoons cinnamon.
6. Using a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop, scoop out the dough.
7. Roll into a ball and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.
8. You will only be able to fit 6 cookies on baking sheet.
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.