When Batman Bakes

MJ and I have a tradition of baking cookies together every holiday. And, for some reason, he's nearly always almost naked. Because everyone knows the best bakers do so in their Batman underoos.

But this year, MJ made an exception to his regular uniform. His great-grandparents gave him a chef's hat and apron for his birthday a few years back and he's been completely enthralled ever since.

Here he is opening the gift at his party. He immediately put it on and announced proudly, "I'm a chef!"

And here are some rare photos of MJ actually cooking in clothing. He's making manicotti with Grandma and Grandpa.

But back to the baking... The other day we decided to make our Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies. They're just your basic chocolate chip cookies with some pumpkin spice tossed in. Mmmmmm. It's amazing how 2 little teaspoons can totally transform a recipe!

Here's MJ suiting up. 

Batman underwear? Check. Chef's hat. Check. Apron. Check. Adorable smile? Double check. :) 

I didn't snap pictures of the mixing this time, but rest assured there was brown sugar, flour, and pumpkin pie spice all over the counter, floor, and the step stool. 

MJ had the task of turning on the mixer. He took it very seriously.

 And, of course, taste testing!

And more taste testing....

Next it was time to put the cookies on the baking sheet. Last year by this point, MJ had lost interest so I was able to neatly and carefully put the dough onto the sheets and into the oven.

Not this year. MJ was all about helping. At first I convinced him to let me scoop the dough and he was content to just push it off onto the sheet with a spoon. That didn't last long. Next he wanted to scoop, but I was able to arrange the dough on the sheet. Yet eventually, he wanted to do it all....

...which is why we ended up with cookies that looked like this. 

Hey, it's Christmas and that kinda looks like a snowman right? It's festive. :)

Next came the baking. Much to my surprise, MJ was very into this part. I offered to turn on the oven light so he could watch and he patiently kept a watchful eye over his little masterpieces.

When they were done, we got to taste test again! How fun is that?

I think they passed! It must be the Batman underwear. It gives us super powers. 

Just in case you'd like to give them a try, here's the recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

(adapted from the Nestle Tollhouse classic recipe)

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cup white flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 package chocolate chips

Cream the butter, shortening, sugar, and vanilla in an electric mixer. Add one egg at a time, mixing well after each. In a separate bowl, combine the flours and pumpkin pie spice. Add the flour blend to your mixer gradually, being careful not to over mix. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Chill batter (unless you have an anxious toddler, then skip this step). Spoon mounds of batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet (I line ours with a Silpat sheet). Bake at 375 for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let the cookies slightly cool for 1-2 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to continue to cool. 

Enjoy!