Cookie Bar Waffles with Ginger

Stories have always been an integral part of my life. And when I say stories, I mean the ones you find in a book or through a the spoken word.


Though I don't remember it, my parents told me I was so obsessed with stories as a wee young tot, when I used to sneak off behind a chair to look at pics and do my business if you know what I mean ;)


And as a kid, I remember my mom telling us stories & reading us so many books. Weekly trips to the library were so joyous. She even recorded tapes for us which we'd listen to when we went off to visit our grandmother.


And one story in particular sticks out in my mind. In fact, it was many stories. About Cookie Bars.

Yes, Cookie Bars. I'm capitalizing those words for a reason because Cookie Bars was a person....errr cookie bar.


But, Cookie Bars went to many places in his life. The library. The fire station. The doctor. The swimming pool. At my age, his adventures made him a worldly guy. She would tell us these stories to soothe us; to calm us if we were anxious (hello doctor or dentist time!); and, to make us laugh. It worked every time.

I loved these stories. They helped me to create my own stories when I began really reading to my stuffed animals & writing in my many journals. They also encouraged me to keep reading stories....and continue the tradition of creation in ANY form.


So, this recipe is more than just an homage to Cookie Bars. It's an homage to my mom herself.


And how fitting for Mother's Day.

These cookie bar waffles are totally grown up from what I ate as a kid. What makes them grown up? The addition of sweet & spicy crystallized ginger pieces into the batter.


What did I eat as a kid? Anything with chocolate. Chocolate chips, chocolate candies, chocolate ice cream....but no ginger. It just wasn't in my diet plan of chocolate, ketchup, chicken nuggets, and macaroni & cheese.

Good thing I've grown up. Because this was just damn good.


I made these waffles into a sandwich because sometimes you just want a sandwich made out of waffles. I mean, who wouldn't? Sandwiched between these two luscious layers is almond butter which made this sammie even more decadent.


I also have eaten these as regular waffles, drizzled with yogurt & maple syrup. Either way is equally delicious in their own right. I'm sure you'll come up with something equally as cool.


Because that's what story making and story telling is all about. It's about creating what works for you and sparks your curiosity or soothes your anxiety. It's about creating memories. Its about experiencing emotions. It's about celebrating what grabs you and doesn't let you go.


Thanks Mom. For your light. For your laughter. For your love. For your creativity. For Cookie Bars. Because he was pretty cool. Now, if you'll excuse me, let me go search for that tape. I need some story time before I go to bed.

Cookie Bar Waffles with Ginger

Yum

adapted from Simple Mills