We said good-bye to Uncle John this week. My brother-in-law died unexpectedly last week at just 54 years old. He loved and spoiled three nieces and two nephews and most importantly taught them the righteous way to dunk a cookie.

It is Friday afternoon and the eve of what looks like a snowy Upstate NY weekend. Perhaps you have the makings for a favorite homemade cookie. I am requesting everyone to make this recipe or any other cookie recipe you know and love in an act of solidarity for my brother-in-law John. Share your recipes on my website for the universe to see.  Please, it will most certainly fill my heart.

Now Uncle John was not known for his taste in music. While you are preparing your kitchen to bake, open up your Spotify, Pandora or iTunes and serve up some Uncle John favorites: The Allman Brothers, Benny Mardones or Gov’t Mule.  We always requested John play a little Chuck Mangione if that works better for you. Once you have made the cookies, pour a short, wide glass of milk and dunk that cookie…  as an ode to Uncle John.

What you need:

• 8-10 Oreo cookies ground to crumbs. Note: I used Dark Chocolate Oreos
• 1 cup softened unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 14 quartered Oreo cookies

 Optional cookie enhancements (Adult version). Feel free to use any or all.

• 1 tablespoon of Godiva Liqueur or Baileys.
• 1 teaspoon of espresso powder.
• 2 tablespoons of Bourbon

 What to do:

Preheat oven to 350°. I like to use parchment paper. It makes the cookie brown up nicely and clean up is a snap.

Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt until blended. Add in the crushed Oreos.

In a mixer, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.

Then add in vanilla, and enhancements if you are using them. Add eggs until light and creamy. (I know, I know, you supposed to add the eggs one at a time.)

Mix in the dry ingredients until just blended. Add those yummy Oreo quarters. If you add them to the mixer like I did, they are a little finer than if you blended them with a spatula. Chef’s choice.

Using a cookie scoop, place the cookie dough onto the cookie sheets at least be 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookie is set. Leave them on the baking sheets; then on to the wire racks to cool.

Store in a tightly sealed container…if they last that long. If Uncle John were here, they may not make it to the cooling stage at all.

High sign.