25- 5 chips chocolate peanut clusters

The stove I ordered had to go back as it wasn’t the stove I thought I had ordered. I wanted dual fuel, gas on top, electric oven, and what was delivered was gas on top, gas oven.

I am not sure if you’ve ever baked with gas. Let’s just say it isn’t ideal.

Back to drawing board.

I picked out a new stove and they are supposed to keep the deliver/installation charge from the first stove.

Confused? Because the installation people are. I have a phone call in to them.

Guess what? The holidays are mucking up the timing.

New stove #2 will be delivered to my house on the Saturday after Christmas. It would be ideal if I could get the installation worked out before the end of the year.

Don’t worry, I will be calling them back.

So no new stove to try out for the last Cookie Thursday is a Thing of 2025. Instead I will hopefully be ringing in 2026 with a new oven.

Fingers crossed.

I mean, the airfryer is an airfryer/toaster oven combination so I am not totally in the weeds.

But still.

This left me cookieless on the last CTIAT of the year.

I pulled out a recipe that I’ve been wanting to do for No-Heat August for literal years.

It is 5 bags of chocolate chips, 2 containers of peanuts.

In hindsight, it makes entirely too much candy.

Like way too much.

Like who at the hospital can I give the excess to too much.

If I make this again, I will halve the recipe and use half bags of chips and 1 container of peanuts.

It is a good empty out the baking pantry recipe though.

The 5 bags were

caramel chips
semi-sweet chocolate chips
white chocolate chips
butterscotch chips
milk chocolate chips.

I used the crockpot to melt the chips, added the peanuts, heated it some more and used my cookie scoop to portion out the candy. And portion out the candy. And portion out the candy.

I placed the candy scoops as close as I could on 3 parchment paper lined cookie sheets and I still ended up with 3 full to the bursting sheets of 5 chip peanut clusters.

Did I mention it was a lot?

I took an entirely full cookie containment device to the hospital. And portioned out 2 full smaller containers for the other at the 0700 meeting.

I still have an entirely full sheet of peanut candy.

I will be handing these out to other units.

But I really should’ve realized I was in trouble when the chips and the peanuts filled up my entire crockpot.

Cookie Thursday 11/13/25- Caramel apple bark

You can stick just about anything in chocolate and call it a bark.

This one is chocolate, caramel, pretzel, and granny smith apple.

And it’s a bark!

Okay, I wrote that part last night and today I attempted said “bark”.

Remember when I said that this would be a bark? Yeah, no. The pretzels, although freshly purchased and freshly opened, were stale. Ick.

And the freshly cut apples were too juicy for the chocolate to set properly.

And the caramel, that went on the freshly cut apples, did not stick to the apples.

A mess really.

Won’t be doing that again and really calls into consideration next week’s planned bark. I may have to reconsider.

This is the second week of the Fall theme of November. Uninspired, I know. But there are only THREE CTIATs that count in November. The 4th is Thanksgiving and I will be delivering no cookies to the hospital on Thanksgiving. Sorry, folks on call.

I will make it up to them with the December theme, though.

Also tragedy struck my Pinterest account.

It was deleted. On purpose by the company. Despite my appeals.

Apparently I am too political. Funny other people can post wildly political things in the opposite direction. It was getting too corporatey there anyway.

I would have continued to save political stuff. Sorry, not sorry. I will continue to save political stuff, just not there.

But with it goes all 3200 CTIAT recipes I had saved. Some for future themes, some were favorites, some just looked cool.

That’s okay, I have a hell of a memory and can reconstruct most of it.

Because Pinterest is just a storage vault. And I was expecting something like this for awhile now.

I had been cross-saving some very special looking recipes to another type of vault.

Again, sorry, not sorry.

This won’t slow me down at all!

Probably not as they intended but oh well.

Good thing I have at least 20 cookie specific cookbooks I’ve been saving for a rainy day.

This also gives me permission to be more organized with my saving. CTIAT was organized and I had about 50 different subsections.

But I remember all the subsections and will use them to build CTIAT recipe repository 2.0.

I will rebuild, I have the technology and I can make it multi-level. I can make it better than it was.

Better, stronger faster.

The first bionic CTIAT repository.

Bonus points if you know where that is from.

And a gold star.

Cookie Thursday 8/21/25- Cinnamon Ice Cream

It is the Thursday before the start of public school here in our county and most of the surrounding counties. This is when the department all participates in the Ice Cream Social to celebrate the end of summer and the kids going back to school. It is also a sweet break before the end of year rush really begins.

This is the 11th year that the department has participated in the tradition.

Well, I participated. But more on that in a bit.

I made cinnamon ice cream. I’ve made it before in homage to my very favorite ice cream in the ENTIRE world- the oatmeal cookie chunk from Ben & Jerry’s. At least until they stopped making it several years ago and stopped selling it in their store a few years ago.

It is cinnamon ice cream, oatmeal cookie chunks, and chocolate chunks. And it is amazing!

It is made with 2 c heavy cream, 14 oz of sweetened condensed milk (an entire can), and cinnamon flavoring. In the past I have done a combination of cinnamon and cinnamon oil. And that was good. But this time, I made it with an additional 1/4 of cinnamon syrup. Like the kind that the coffee shops use.

Yuuuuuuum-mmmm-mmmmmyyyyy.

I made it last night and, knowing I needed to head to the hospital for something, I was going to bring it to the hospital immediately after making it, so that I can freeze overnight. Condensing my trips, you know? Next I went to the pharmacy and to pick up the Too Good To Go order at Whole Foods.

And I got called in at 0400. For a critical patient. I didn’t leave until nearly 0800 because charting and wanting to get the patient to the ICU, etc.

I had encouraged the night call people to try it after the case because it had frozen by then. Because who doesn’t need a sweet treat after that train wreck?

I got dressed and was ready to leave and I decided to check the freezers for ice cream.

Nothing but freezer burn ready meals, ice (for whatever reason, there is an ice machine on the counter), and a wrist brace.

This was frustrating. Because I had announced the Ice Cream Social at the leadership meeting, it was announced at the various department meetings. There were signs with slots to sign up to bring ice cream, toppings, cones, bowls, spoons, all the things at each department counter. Yesterday I asked the admin to put up reminder signs on the lounge doors. I wrote a reminder on the white board in the lounge on Monday.

Frustrating.

And a bit disheartening.

As I was looking through the freezers, people jumped into give me money to run to the store to supply the entirety of the ice cream social.

I collected $60 in short order and headed out.

I am sure you have noticed the price of goods at the grocery store these days. However, the grocery store I went to was having their end of summer ice cream sale. Jackpot!

With the $60, I bought 4 gallons of ice cream (at buy one get one free prices), 3 types of syrup, canned whipped cream, 2 types of ice cream bars, sprinkles, bowls and spoons.

Next year I will just collect money instead of relying on my coworkers memories. Time has shown that with the decreased participation over the last three years. Because I am not there to remind them every day.

I needed to taste my own ice cream before I left because by now it was 0900 and I was NOT coming back at 1400 because I was going to be asleep. I didn’t need any syrups or sprinkles or whipped cream. All I wanted was the cinnamon ice cream.

One of the techs participated in my taste test.

Moment of silence for how good the ice cream was.

My coworker said it tasted like a cinnamon bear.

It was amazing. Will definitely do again.

Cookie Thursday 3/13/25- Dreamies

No, not the kind that you have in bed while you are asleep.

Let me explain.

This is the second week of the Baking the Freezer theme for March. Where I delve into my freezer and make up cookies based on the ingredients.

I was in the kitchen freezer and I realized that there were two(!) frozen loaves of bread. Which created something of a quandary. I could make croutons but would people like them as a Cookie Thursday is a Thing offering? I also still have a boatload of cheese in the fridge. Perhaps another Why is There Still So Much Cheese month?

No, no, Kate, stop getting distracted.

Back to the recipe books. I saw this vintage recipe for itty bitty grilled cheese looking bites. They go by different names, depending on the era, but the earliest recipe I was able to find was from 1910.

Bread, cheese, butter, spices. What can go wrong?

The uniqueness of this recipe is that the cheese goes on the outside and the butter goes on the inside of the itty bitty sandwiches. And then they are baked. Kind of like a reverse grilled cheese. Interesting. Y’all know I like an interesting cookie. Even though this is a bake.

I think a dab of mustard powder in the butter mixture might set this one up well.

Hours later…

The Cookie Thursday is a Thing offering has been made at the hospital.

The best thing I can write about this is to trust the process.

The best advice that I can write is to bake it on a warm enough day so that the all the windows in the house can be opened.

Because this recipe? Is a smoky one. Not smoke as in “eek, there is a fire”. But smoky as in the ingredients gave off a lot of fragrant steam. Or I need to clean my oven. Or a combination of the two.

The taste is 10/10. Would absolutely do again, perhaps with a bit of Worcerstershire sauce.

I am off to clean my top oven.

Cookie Thursday 1/30/2025- sourdough chocolate chip cookies

This is it. The last week of the Cookie Thursday is a Thing extravaganza.

I’ve gone through some CTIAT is a thing background details. I’ve gone through some of CTIAT secrets. And I made 5 weeks of the department’s favorite cookies of the past 10 years.

There was one of the original cookies with the Twix cookie.

There was the original experiment cookie- the Jalapeno chocolate chip cookie.

There was the second favorite cookie- the pepper jelly cheddar thumbprint.

There was the crust cookie and the story of how CTIAT got its name.

Today’s cookie was a sourdough chocolate chip cookie.

I’ve done this in the past. Heck, I’ve done all of these cookies before. What earns it a spot on the list is the interplay of how the sourdough changes the cookie consistency.

The cookie is crisp but still chewy.

Alchemy!

That means magic!

Last time the addition of sourdough waste added a different texture to the cookie. As it did today.

What I did differently was that I left the dough at room temperature so that it could ferment. I left it for 6 hours before baking, covered of course. This definitely changed the consistency of the dough, giving it a fluffy appearance. Some might say that cookie dough is already fluffy. It is the only way I can describe it.

Tomayto-tomahto.

Spoiler, I had a cookie for breakfast.

Now for the final secret of CTIAT.

I began CTIAT as a morale project for the evening shift of the operating room. This is still how I advertise and talk about it. I freely give out any recipe when asked. I genuinely think that weekly cookies, no matter the time elapsed, has an impact on morale.

I see it every time I walk into the lounge and its dedicated drawer is open, usually by people interested in the cookies. I hear it when people stop me to tell me their favorite cookies. I see it when I pick up the empty container the next day. There are weeks that people don’t know about the cookies or the OR is too busy. But that is when they need the cookies most.

However, what you might now know is that it has an impact on my morale. I don’t even have to see people enjoying the cookies. It is the act of planning and creation that is important to me.

The weekly date with my kitchen doesn’t hurt.

Cookie Thursday 1/23/25- pepper jelly cheddar thumbprints

The Cookie Thursday is a Thing show must go on.

Especially in this crappy month/week/year/administration.

Especially for the 10th-anniversary celebration of CTIAT.

The cookie for today is the first savory cookie that I made. I had to persuade people to try them. I told them that these were really similar to a cheese straw, with just a touch of spice.

People were skeptical.

They had never had a savory cookie before.

Not a cookie, more of a cracker I said.

Finally, my boss tried them and then tried to take the entire batch into their office. Seriously. I had to cut them off.

Over time, these became known as one of the bright spots for CTIAT. Easy enough with a food processor and simple ingredients.

This was the cookie that allowed me to expand peoples’ minds as to what might constitute a treat.

It doesn’t always have to be sweet.

Savory has a home here at Cookie Thursday is a Thing too.

This was also the cookie that struck off my recipe shackles.

Let me explain.

All my life I’ve been taught to read a recipe carefully and follow it. Including oven temperature and baking time. Also including how to handle the dough.

The original recipe called for rolling out the dough and carefully cutting out the shapes. I don’t have time for that. Instead, I wondered what would happen if I made small balls instead, or used a cookie scoop. And it worked! My mind was blown. I saved myself at least 45 minutes that day. For a workaholic, that is a big time savings.

Of course, Cookie Thursday is a Thing being a place where I experiment, I got right to work. And started breaking culinary rules left and right.

I experimented with lower oven temperatures. This meant I had to be able to tell when to take the cookies out as they baked at different times with the lower temperatures.

I experimented with higher oven temperatures. This also meant that I had to adjust the baking times.

Around this time I got really loose when explaining baking times to people. I probably caused a lot of frustration. Because people want concrete answers about how hot an oven and how long to bake. They would go away frustrated when I said until whatever you are baking is done. Because all ovens are different and a lot of different things can impact baking time.

I experimented with different cookie sheet metals. Yes, baking times are different depending on the color of the cookie sheet. Because, science.

I experimented with different additions to cookies, trying to see what went well together and what didn’t. An early success here is using orange flavoring oil, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries.

The baking world opened wide. And my recipe collection got unruly. If I recall, this was when I decided to theme the months to make CTIAT easier for me. I could be more economical in my ingredient sourcing.

The biggest takeaway is that a treat doesn’t need to be sweet.

And my long-held baking rules are just suggestions.

Cookie Thursday 12/5/24- It’s beginning to look a lot like Chex-mas

New month, new theme. This December’s theme is Holiday, just like it has been so many years.

I always start December off by making Chex mix and I only make Chex mix in December. I start buying the ingredients when there is a good buy or a BOGO.

The ingredients that I buy are

garlic powder
onion powder
I use the same Lawry’s seasoning salt because I use much less than the recipe calls for. Too much sodium
family sized Chex mix- Corn and Rice
1 box of wheat chex
pretzel rods
containers of deluxe mixed nuts. I find I don’t care for peanuts so I don’t make it with them
And the most important ingredient of all- butter
Worcestershire sauce/I also use powdered. I find that it makes a big difference

Each batch is made in my turkey roaster. 1 box each of rice and corn Chex and 1/2 box of Wheat Chex. 3 melted sticks of butter, 2-3 tbs each of garlic and onion powder, 2 tsp seasoning salt, 3-4 tbs Worcestershire sauce or 3 tbs powder, 1/4 bag pretzels, 1/2 large container of nuts.

I make the seasoning liquid all together in a small pan, over low heat. The butter is melted first, almost browned butter, add the rest of the seasoning and cook until simmering, stirring occasionally as you mix the rest of the dry ingredients.

Low and slow at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring every 20 minutes for 2 hours.

The first two batches I make have gluten in it and the rest are gluten free.

I probably make 4-5 batches as it is a crowd favorite for Cookie Thursday and a family and friend must have.

The nuts and pretzels can be measured with your heart and any additional addins are allowed and encouraged.

Funny story, today I was dropping off the leftover cinnamon rolls from the nursing awards ceremony at around 1130 to the OR lounge. Someone asked me what was going to be the make this week.

Everyone else had their heads bent to their phone or their food or both. I mentioned that I would be bringing in Chex mix. Everyone stopped moving and raised their heads.

Like I said, department favorite.

Cookie Thursday 5/30/24- war on women’s bodily autonomy

I mean would I be writing about the healthcare battlefield without touching on the war on women’s bodily autonomy during War Cookie Month? I mean, who am I if I don’t?

The Cookie Thursday is a Thing theme for May is War Cookies. Appropriately this is also the month of Memorial Day and was completely unplanned when I decided to do this theme. Apparently, my brain is smarter than my fingers.

This is the 5th Thursday of the month and I am making basic chocolate chipless cookies for the week. This is chocolate chip cookies without the chocolate chips. Kind of a vanilla sugar cookie vibe.

Since this is War Cookie Month I would be remiss if I missed a chance to beat on the drum of women’s rights. Yes, again. They keep attacking us, keep whittling away at the rights they do deign to “gift” us. Since the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v Wade, there has been a slow drip of rights being taken away. And then they realized that they could get away with more and the ripping away of women’s rights became faster and faster.

My tee shirt of the day is “They Won’t Stop at Roe.”

They aren’t even hiding the end game anymore.

Am I still mad as hell about the Dobbs decision? Fuck yes.

Will I still write about it in an unceasing drumbeat? Again, yes.

Am I alone in this? Absolutely not.

Are people not paying attention because it doesn’t affect them? Absolutely.

Vote in November. Remember what has been taken from women. And those who will be women when they grow up. And those who would be women because it is the best fit for them and that is truly who they are under the skin.

All of us are under attack.

Man the battle stations!

My next tee shirt will be a Ruth Bader Ginsberg one that says I am Tired of Listening to Old White Men.

Cookie Thursday 2/8/24-cheese straw cookies

Continuing on February’s theme of Tracie’s Favorites, cheese straw cookies.

I know, I just did a cheese month in January. Yes, there is still that much cheese.

I don’t care. This is what Tracie asked for.

I did ask qualifying questions. Whether what she had in mind was pepper jelly thumbprints, cheese straws, or pimento cheese straws. She chose straight-up cheese straw cookies.

Okay then.

All of these three cookies have the same base. Flour, butter, and shredded cheese.

It is the application of how much and what to do with it that is a bit different.

These are not a roll-out cookie. So there will be no chilling of the dough. As always, I am going to be doubling down on the spices. The recipe I am using asks for 1/8 tsp garlic powder. Um, no. I don’t think so.

Since I will not be rolling these out, I will use my smallest cookie scoop to portion out the dough balls. And bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven.

There is also the question of how crispy do I want to make these bakes? The longer the cookies are in the oven, the crispier they get of course. But I want a bit of chewiness to them.

The cheddar cheese should not be bagged cheese. There are anti-clumping ingredients added to the cheese when it is packaged. I will be grating my own.

Also, my grater was last seen while making Christmas dinner. I have looked everywhere. Either it got thrown out by mistake, or broken and then thrown out, no one knows. Moment of silence for one of the OG wedding gifts. It served me well for over 25 years.

I bought a new one. Did you know that they are not dishwasher-safe? Probably explains why it broke/got thrown away/ran away.