Betsy Nieporte

I am not sure how many of you have ever been to a cookie exchange but I have to say, the one I just went to, which was my first, by the way, was way cool. My friend who lives in Boca Square gave me the "rules to the game". I had to bake six dozen cookies. I thought to myself - "HOLY COW! Six dozen, is she nuts!? (and I am not talking about the kind that goes in the cookies!)" So, I decided to bake six dozen of my kids' favorite cookies (just in case nobody picked mine and I ended up having to take them home. As you can see, I am always thinking ahead!)

Now, thinking about Gia, my Broker, who keeps reminding me to have my business cards on me at all times, had me stuffing those suckers into everything. From my purse; to the platter of cookies I brought; to my skirt pockets, I had my GoListing.com cards everywhere! You know the saying, "Don't leave home without them"!

Well let me just say, the night could not have gone better. Not only did I end up with about 20 different types of cookies, but I also met a woman who is trying to sell her home. I know Gia wrote a blog called Social Networking Apple Crumble Style but I have to say, that cookie exchange on a cool Boca Raton night was Social Networking that was never sweeter!! So in the spirit of my first blog and excitement about social networking, here is my cookie recipe:

Out-On-the-Range Cookies
(Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter)

6 tablespoons butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1egg
2 egg whites
½ cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1- ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
¼ cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a bowl, beat butter and sugars until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add the next five ingredients; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325 for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Yields 3-1/2 dozen.

Like Gia, I want to know what recipe works for you because my cookies were a hit and highlighted social networking at its finest!

Enjoy!