It’s the first week of school, and the first week of Health class for my 9th grader. Having been through this class with his older brother last year, I knew a little about what to expect. “Guess what this means?!” I taunted him. “We get to talk about sex!”
Groan, groan. “Ahh! Do we have to?” “Yes,” I replied confidently. “You can’t get out of it.”
Robb and I are firm believers that parents of teens need to talk openly about sex. Lots of my friends have told me they feel nervous or uncomfortable about talking to their kids about it, any part of it. Robb and I are quite the opposite… we almost talk too much about it. {We definitely talk too much about it, if you ask our kids!} I try to tell my kids about the awkward conversations other kids are forced to have with uncomfortable parents, and convince them how lucky they are to have such open and honest parents as we are.
I’ve listened to the kids try to describe their parents to their friends. They usually tell this one completely true story, which actually paints a pretty accurate picture of our parenting style. Robb said to the Fruitarian (the now 9th grader), “Go clean your room.” He grumbled and procrastinated, so Robb followed up with this threat: “Go clean your room, or we’ll talk about sex!” Needless to say, he RAN to his room and started cleaning, laughing all the way.
We laugh a lot at our house.
Learning of the upcoming Health class syllabus was distressing news for the first week of school. Distressing, indeed. And even more distressing was the news that there were no cookies for an after-school snack. Why is it that they never want the food I have, and I never have the stuff they want?
I had leftover muffins from breakfast, some granola with greek yogurt, cold cereal, even bread. Did they want that? No. They wanted chips (saving those for lunches), ice cream (um, no.), smoothies (blender broken) or cookies (completely out). Ugh. Growing boys are Always. Hungry. My grocery budget can’t handle it.
It was my son’s idea to make these cookies today. I’m just taking the photos.
And the credit.
This is not the first appearance for this recipe on this blog. Since I make new recipes every week, it is the rare cookie that can make more than one appearance at this house. This Root Beer cookie is one of the few.
I love the sort of rustic look to these cookies. They are not neat, and perfectly round and flat. They are more like my son’s hair… thick and unruly and pretty close to the desired shape. This is why we frosted them roughly with a knife, and not with a pastry bag and pretty star tip. It’s just not that kind of cookie. I like to tuck these in a plastic container, between layers of wax paper, to keep them soft for a few days.
I don’t know why I bother, though. They’ll never last that long.
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1½ tsp. root beer concentrate
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 4 cups flour
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 tsp. root beer concentrate
- 3 T. water
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- Whip butter and sugar. Add buttermilk, eggs, and concentrate, and mix well.
- Add dry ingredients, and mix just until incorporated.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet, and bake at 400 degrees for 9-12 minutes. Allow to cool before frosting.
- For frosting, combine all ingredients together and mix until smooth. Frost cooled cookies generously.
- Store in an airtight container between layers of wax paper.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also enjoy:
Root Beer Float Cupcakes from Bakingdom
Root Beer Brownies from Baking Bites
Root Beer Sherbet from Just Jenn Recipes
This post linked up at: Shine Your Light; Sumo’s Sweet Stuff; Jam Hands; Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms; CRAFT; Skip To My Lou; Keeping It Simple Crafts; Between Naps On The Porch; Blessed With Grace; Ladybug Blessings; A Bowl Full of Lemons;
What a creative cookie recipe! I love finding cookies recipes that have never been done before. They look divine!
I love this recipe and your story too! You won’t be sorry in the long run you’ve been so candid with your boys. And someday they’ll be telling the funny stories and making sure their kids know the truth. I have never heard of root beer cookies but am so happy that I’ve been introduced to them, so,,,,,, fun and unique!
What a cool idea! I love root beer. Never thought to use the flavor in baking.
Yay I’m excited for these cookies! I’m already halfway through my root beer extract.
Really fun post today! Love the cookies – I’ve never had root beer cookies before. Look great – thanks.
Ooohhh these sound great! My husband loves root beer and he would just love these! I’ll have to make these as a surprise for him, thanks so much for the idea!!!!!
Having never baked with root beer concentrate, I am intrigued. Thanks for sharing.
No root beer in Australia but I wonder if I could import root beer concentrate. You’ve given me a great idea!
When my son was 9 he asked to go for a walk one summer evening. We got outside and he said, “Mom, I’d like to know about sex and can we do it without jokes?” I’ll never forget it.
Pingback: Cookie Sticks | Jen's Favorite Cookies
Ooo those cookies look amazing.
I also think it’s important for kids to talk about sex.
“Go clean your room or we’ll talk about sex.” Hahaha – that is hilarious! My boys are only 2 and 4 right now, so they’re not quite old enough for this to work…yet. But I may just have to file this away to use in a few years! Congrats on being featured on SITS! And the cookies sound fantastic too! 🙂
Pingback: 27 Fabulous Cookie Recipes Roundup