It’s true — the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.

(Family Features) Back-to-school time is exciting and a little bit scary – for parents and kids alike. Whether the kids are headed off to elementary school, high school or college, they could all use a little extra love.

I’ve found that a batch of favorite cookies is a simple way to show love to the kids – without embarrassing them in front of their peers! A couple of cookies tucked into the lunch box or a whole batch shipped off to the dorm can do wonders for someone needing a little taste of home.

If you’re going to ship a cookie care package, here are some tips to make sure they arrive fresh and intact.

Timing is Everything

Ship your cookies on Monday or Tuesday to ensure the packages arrive before the weekend. If you wait any longer, the cookies could end up sitting in a warehouse until the following week.

All In a Day’s Work

Schedule the baking and shipping as close together as possible, preferably within 24 hours. This ensures freshness. But, be sure the cookies have had a chance to cool before packing.

Handle with Care

It doesn’t hurt to wrap your cookies a few times. The more protection around the cookies, the less likely they are to break during shipping. Place two cookies back-to-back, with a small piece of waxed paper in between them. Wrap them loosely as a pair in plastic wrap. Then place them in small plastic sealable bags.

For an extra homey touch, send your cookies on an exclusive 10-inch, dishwasher-safe collector’s plate with a unique “Cookie Code” that lets you track how far your plate has traveled!

For more packing tips, cookie recipes and information on how to get a Limited Edition Please Send Cookies plate, visit www.PleaseSendCookies.com.           

Oatmeal Scotchies

(Makes 4 dozen cookies)

1 1/4          cups all-purpose flour

1                teaspoon baking soda

1/2             teaspoon salt

1/2             teaspoon ground cinnamon

1                cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

3/4             cup granulated sugar

3/4             cup packed brown sugar

2                large eggs

1                teaspoon vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange

3                cups quick or old-fashioned oats

1 2/3          cups (11-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9 to 10 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PAN COOKIE VARIATION (Makes 4 dozen bars):
Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. 

Jenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.

Nutrition Information per serving: 130 calories; 60 calories from fat; 6g total fat; 4.5g saturated fat; 20mg cholesterol; 100mg sodium; 17g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 11g sugars; 1g protein

Courtesy of Family Features