As I get older, it becomes much more apparent how similar I am to my parents. Anyone who knows the pair of them is aware that they are quite different – opposites, in many ways. I seem to have landed somewhere in the middle. From my mother, I’ve inherited slight OCD tendencies and a solid knowledge of every word to “It’s Rainin’ Men.” From my father, I’ve learned Shakespeare’s great monologues and the importance of travel.

But one thing they have both passed on to me is a love for chocolate chip cookies. When I was younger, my father baked a batch almost every Saturday afternoon. Now mother continues to make them, with the addition of hearty oats and a dash of cinnamon. The sweet smell throughout the house, the cheeky teaspoons of raw dough, and finally warm gooey goodness with a cold glass of milk are all avenues to instant happiness. I’ve tried for years to find a way to find a way to make a recipe equally as delicious and comforting. A dash of rum complements the brown sugar quite well in this “grown up” cookie recipe. But hurry, because they’re so delicious that a batch will be gone in an instant – and parting with these cookies is such sweet sorrow.

Grown Up Chocolate Chip Cookies:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons rum

1/2 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup dark chocolate chunks

Instruction:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk melted butter and sugars together until smooth. Add vanilla extract, rum, and egg. Whisk until smooth.

2. Sift in flour, baking soda and salt. Beat in with wooden smooth until completely combined. Fold in oats and chocolate chunks.

3. Using an ice cream scoop, form large dough balls. Flatten slightly into disk shapes. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes (until golden brown). Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes.

Enjoy grown up chocolate chip cookies with William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and check in at http://warandpeach.com for future recipes and book reviews!