Pretzel M&M Cookies

                                       

Every Wednesday my mom volunteers at an organization called Fugees Family, which is devoted to helping child survivors of war.  The 10 to 15 year old boys go to school, play soccer, and are encouraged to heal in a safe environment.  My mom makes a huge lunch for 34 people (the students and their teachers and the Americorp staff) and they absolutely LOVE her and her cooking!  She asked me to come with her today to help serve lunch and meet the kids and I was so glad I did.  They were all so sweet, and had the cutest smiles and the most innocent eyes.  They lit up when my mom told them that I was her daughter which made me so happy.

On the way there I was kind of stressed about all of the things I have going on at work and the lack of time to get it all done.  I feel like I really needed this time with these kids; it helped put things in perspective and made me feel good to be around the people involved in the program (teachers, Americorp staff, my mom).  There really is something to be said for people who devote their careers and lives to making such a difference in people's lives.

I made these cookies to contribute to the lunch and they were a big hit.  But then again, I have a feeling that every cookie is probably a big hit with these kids!   I was passing them out, and had given them to some of the boys already, and when I walked by them they all hid the cookies that I had given them in hopes of getting another one.  It was so cute!

I saw these pretzel M&M cookies pop up on several blogs, but I specifically remember variations on Annie's Eats and Two Peas and Their Pod.  I followed the recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod.  I bought a huge ass super sized bag of pretzel M&M's at Costco and used the rest of the candy in trail mix treat bags for clients.  Nothing makes you feel more large and in charge than walking up to the checkout line with a bag of M&M's that is clearly labeled "XXL!"

These cookies are a really good combination of sweet and salty, due to the chocolate covered pretzels.  If you're a fan of this combo, go make these!  Or at least go buy the M&M's :-)

Pretzel M&M Cookies

Recipe Source: Two Peas and Their Pod

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 sticks butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups pretzel M&M’s

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside.  Beat the butter and sugar on high in an electric stand mixer until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

Slowly add the flour mixture in segments and beat on low speed until well incorporated.  Stir in the chocolate chips and M&M's.  

Drop heaping tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets, and bake for about 12 - 14 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.