The key to a successful marriage is having at least a few things in common. For Tom and me, the list includes visiting Civil War battlegrounds, watching 'Breaking Bad', hiking… and eating.

Especially desserts.

Especially Cyclops Cookies.

It's his mom's fault. And I thank her profusely.

 


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I remember that first Christmas, before we were married, when the decorated coffee can overflowing with fudge and cookies arrived.

I remember that first bite of peanut-butter-and-chocolate heaven.

Oh. Oh. Oh.

 


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I also remember our dismay the next Christmas, after we were Mr. and Mrs., when the can didn't arrive. She informed us only the single boys got coffee cans full of sugary goodness. Once her sons married, she was no longer responsible for satisfying their Christmas sweet tooth, and considering she had nine sons altogether, I can't say I blamed her.

(I think that was the first time Tom wondered if he'd made a mistake in marrying me.)

 


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Mom didn't leave us totally on our own, though. We got the recipe. Then we practiced and practiced and practiced until now we have the art of Cyclops Cookies down to absolute perfection, even if I say so myself.

 


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And that's a very dangerous thing.

My name is Barbara, and I am an addict. A Cyclops Cookie addict. 

And so, for the sake of our waistlines and arteries (Tom is an addict, too) I only make them for special occasions, like birthdays and Christmas… 

 


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…most recently my son Daniel's birthday, when I discovered that if I take lots and lots of photos of them, I don't inhale the whole batch before they have a chance to cool.

Saved by my camera, once again.

Okay, okay… here's the recipe. But don't say I didn't warn you, and don't blame me if your pants suddenly get too tight. I don't remember how many this makes, but it's not enough – I always double it.


Cyclops Cookies

 

Ingredients

 ½ cup of butter or margarine

  • ½ cup of peanut
    butter
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • ½ cup of brown
    sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons of
    milk
  • 1 teaspoon of
    vanilla
  • 1 ¾ cups of flour
  • ¼ teaspoon of
    salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon of
    baking soda
  • a bowl of extra
    sugar
  • Hershey’s Kisses

 

  1. In large mixing
    bowl, mix butter or margarine and peanut butter together, using an electric
    mixer on medium for about 30 seconds.
  2. Add sugar and
    brown sugar and beat till fluffy.
  3. Add egg milk and
    vanilla to mixture. Beat again till fluffy.
  4. In medium mixing
    bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda.
  5. With mixer on low
    speed, gradually put in flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, stir well. If
    necessary, cover and chill about 1 hour for better handling.
  6. Preheat oven to
    350.
  7. Shape dough into
    1 inch balls and roll in additional sugar.
  8. Place about 2
    inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
  9. Bake in oven
    about 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm.
  10. Immediately after baking, press a chocolate kiss
    atop each cookie. 
  11. Try to resist eating it.
  12. Oh, okay, go ahead and eat that first one. You deserve it.


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23 responses to “Get Thee Away From Me, Cyclops Cookie!”

  1. Gail Avatar

    I was so hoping you’d share the recipe! This was a cute post, Barbara. I’m happy you learned to make cyclops cookies for your sweet hubster. The photos you posted here have me wiping drool off my keyboard. Shame on you! 🙂

    Like

  2. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I meant to add if anyone wanted it to just let me know and I'll email it to you. So expect an email. 🙂
    Maybe I'll just go ahead add the recipe…

    Like

  3. lisleman Avatar

    the camera diet – wow that’s a new one for me. The pics look delicious.

    Like

  4. Janet Avatar
    Janet

    Barbara they look awesome!! Yes, I want the recipe. Please 🙂

    Like

  5. Ms. A Avatar

    I’d be in deep doo doo if I baked all the things I liked… like cyclops cookies! I’m gaining weight just looking at your delicious photos!

    Like

  6. Debbie B Avatar
    Debbie B

    Your cyclops cookies look like they are made with peanut butter. My Mom calls these Peanut Butter Blossoms. I would love to have your recipe to compare to mine.
    I’m thinking you just stumbled upon a new book idea…the photo diet…read a book of your delicious photos instead of eating the real things.

    Like

  7. Pauline Avatar

    I think I gained weight just looking at those photos!

    Like

  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Okay, Gail, I added the recipe!!
     

    Like

  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I just added the recipe! Now you can make them and gain some more! 🙂
     

    Like

  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Yes, they're pretty much the same thing as Peanut Butter Blossoms. In fact, Tom's mom says that's what she calls them. We have no idea why we call them Cyclops Cookies! I just added the recipe so you can compare them. And that's a great idea for a book!

    Like

  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I think I still gain weight just looking at them (and smelling them – yum!) I just added the recipe!
     

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I just added it, Janet! Don't say I didn't warn you! 🙂
     

    Like

  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Alright, Bill, I just added the recipe, so you don't have to eat the photos. 
     

    Like

  14. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    oh! I’m so glad this isn’t the crisco recipe!
    oh boy…..copying into my special book:)
    THANK you!
    -Jennifer

    Like

  15. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You're welcome!!
    My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe IS on the Crisco can. Can't resist those, either!
     

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  16. Suldog Avatar

    Rest assured, Oscar (our wise old owl cookie jar) will be full to the brim soon. But not for long.

    Like

  17. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    In our house, Oscar would never even see them! Obviously, you and your WIFE have a lot more self-control than me and Tom!
     

    Like

  18. Lady Fi Avatar

    Oh gosh – heavenly!

    Like

  19. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Yes! (Until you step on the scales the next day!)
     

    Like

  20. Agnes Avatar

    They look sooo good Barbara!

    Like

  21. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    I have never saved an internet recipe. I’m saving this.

    Like

  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Let me know how you like them?

    Like

  23. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    They taste ten times better than they look!!

    Like

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