Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

from April 2020

Setting Our Minds On Things Above

by Deana Thompson

Ingredients • ½ c. unsalted butter • 1¼ c. honey • 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa • 1 tsp. pure vanilla • ½ c. creamy peanut butter • 3¼ c. old-fashioned rolled oats S pring is an exciting time of the year. The weather begins to warm up, and we start to shed our winter coats and hats. Baby animals are being born, both in the wild (like the baby birds in our bluebird house) and on the farm (like our cute baby goats). It is a time to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, for because He lives, we “will live also” (John 14:19). Yet the one thing most associated with spring is its floral display. Blooms of all colors, shapes, and sizes explode on our planet, blanketing the earth with a beautiful palette of color. And at our house, millions of bees fly out of their hives to visit each bloom and transform its nectar into honey. They can travel up to 6 miles away from their hives for one drop of nectar, and it takes about 20,000 drops of nectar to make one quart of honey! This golden liquid is sweeter than the white, refined sugar used to sweeten cakes, cookies, and candies. Yet the Psalmist declared that God’s laws and commands were sweeter to him than even honey (Psalm19:10). God’s laws are for our good, not to hamper our style or hinder our rise in success but to give us boundaries that will keep us safe and in His care. His plans for you are “to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). So as you make this honey version of the famous chocolate no-bake cookies, remember to view God’s laws as something good and sweet. And remember the little bee that flew many miles to contribute to your 1¼ cup of honey! Instructions 1. In a large saucepan, combine butter, honey,

and cocoa. Bring to a rolling boil and boil 1½ minutes. Remove from heat. 2. Add vanilla and peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter is melted. 3. Add oats; stir until well combined. 4. Using a spoon, drop the dough onto waxed paper. Let cool.

Variations Nutty | Add ¼ c. pecans with the oats. Peppermint | Add ¼ tsp. peppermint extract with the vanilla. Orange | Add 1/8 tsp. orange extract with the vanilla.