How to get rid of holiday candy

Perhaps your kids go to a school or daycare that doesn't allow candy to be brought in as a treat on holidays or birthdays. Our boys do not go to that kind of daycare. The Boy's teacher, in particular, loves to give the kids candy on special occasions, so he always comes home after holiday parties with a lunch-sized paper bag full -- and I mean full-to-overflowing -- of candy.

Perhaps you are the kind of mother who would let their child pig out on the candy until he's sick of it. Perhaps you are the kind of mother who would just throw the candy away out right. I am neither kind of mother. I tend to let them have a piece or two as a treat everyday and eat a piece or two or three or four myself -- moderation in all things, right. The problem with this method is that the candy lingers forever.

If your kids are like mine and you are like me, I have a solution that will get rid of a good deal of that candy -- at least the chocolate portion: Candy Jar Cookies. Yes, it's still junk, but cookies go a whole faster than candy.

I created these cookies out of desperation. I wanted to make chocolate chip cookies for the boys when their friend came over for the babysitting exchange. But I discovered I had no chocolate chips. I also had no oatmeal or peanut butter, so these easy cookies were out and I had promised cookies. I had to deliver. I started scavenging. First, I found a tiny package of M&Ms in the Valentine's candy bag, then it occurred to me I could chop up the Hershey's kisses and the generic chocolate hearts. I figured the cookies-and-cream bar wouldn't hurt. A bar of dark chocolate, chopped up, and some dried cherries rounded out the measuring cup so I had the "chips" I needed. The end result was quite good, if I do say so myself.

I don't remember where I got this chocolate chip cookie recipe, but it's my go-to version. I usually use butter instead of shortening because I like the taste better, but either works. The shortening makes a better texture.

Candy Jar Cookies
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup softened butter OR shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups chocolate chips OR scavenged candy OR dried fruit OR a combination of all

Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl.
With an electric mixer, cream together sugars, butter/shortening and vanilla.
Beat in eggs one by one, scraping the bowl after each.
By hand, gradually mix in dry ingredients, then the chips/candy.

Bake 9-11 minutes at 375 F.