Here's The Scoop

Need a gift idea for that special someone  in the 4-7 age group? You can't go wrong with  If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.  

The delightful book is known for its playful, circular pattern. A boy gives a cookie to a mouse. The mouse asks for a glass of milk. He then requests a straw (to drink the milk), a mirror (to avoid a milk mustache), nail scissors (to trim his hair in the mirror), and a broom (to sweep up his hair trimmings). Next he wants to take a nap, to have a story read to him, to draw a picture, and to hang the drawing on the refrigerator. Looking at the refrigerator makes him thirsty, so the mouse asks for a glass of milk. The circle is complete when he wants a cookie to go with it.

Here's The Scoop
To make your cookies even in size, use a cookie scoop instead of a spoon to scoop out the dough.

This photo shows three cookie dough scoop sizes. A trip to the Dollar Tree was quite fruitful with a variety of holiday containers to choose from for baked goods. I found a box for Dark Chocolate Chip-Granola Cookies and the price was perfect!

Cook's Notes: If you like, freeze unbaked dough mounds and bake them as you need them. Simply place the dough mounds onto cookie sheets and freeze until firm. Place the frozen dough mounds in an airtight freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake as directed. This recipe is adapted from BHG Easy Holiday Cooking 2014. It makes 36 cookies.
Ingredients:

• 2-2/3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup butter or 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup margarine 
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups dark chocolate chips or bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup almond granola

Directions:

• Preheat oven 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Change parchment paper with each batch.
• In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking soda and salt.
• In a large bowl beat butter or butter and margarine for 30 seconds.
• Add brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs and vanilla and mix well.
• Gradually add in flour mixture and beat until just combined. Stir in chips and granola. 
• Chill dough in freezer for 45 minutes. 
• Use a cookie scoop or roll dough into balls about 1-1/2 inches and  place on parchment line sheet. 
• Bake 8-9 minutes. Cool for a few minutes on baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack to cool.