Veteran's Day: Cookies & Bars for the Military

Linda Brandt has an article: Veteran's Day Treats in the Sarasota Herald Tribune today about sending baked goods, especially cookies, overseas to military personnel. Lots of great tips and advice on what to send and how to send it. She's compiled a list of Websites to help with the process of sending.

One of her tips: Use M&Ms instead of chocolate chips in cookies if you're concerned about the heat.

Packages usually reach their destination in 10 to 14 days; however, first class and priority mail deadline for Christmas delivery to APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 is Dec. 4; for all others the deadline is Dec. 11. Include a letter or card with your cookies.

Here's the recipe for Peanutty Buckeye Bars. (bars pack nicely and stay fresh)

PEANUTTY BUCKEYE BARS

1 (19.5-ounce) package brownie mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 cup chopped peanuts
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, eggs and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Stir in peanuts. Remove half of the brownie mixture and set aside. Spread the remaining brownie mixture evenly into prepared pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth. Spread evenly over brownie mixture in pan. Separate the remaining brownie mixture into pieces, flatten them with your fingers, and place them on top of the brownie mixture in pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until top is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.

From Better Homes & Gardens Holiday Bar Cookies
reprinted in Linda Brandt's article

Since it's Veteran's Day, you might want to mix up your own special chocolate cookie or bar recipe and take it to a military base or give to a Veteran friend. Check out Bake at 350 for her adapted recipe of Crisp Chocolate Chip Shortbread.