Anyways, these "cookies" are called the motherload for a reason (I say "cookies" because while it is made with cookie dough, it's really more of a bar). You'll see. Coincidentally, I made these last weekend and Mike and I took some over to his mom because he's her favorite son and I'm her favorite daughter in law. Please refrain from asking me how many sons and daughters in law she has.
Anyways again, while there are many steps to creating this gut-busting masterpiece, it is really very easy and it can even be made ahead and refrigerated for a bit! Here's the link to the recipe. I just have a couple of comments I'd like to make. Okay one is more like an addition to the actual recipe. The first layer calls for a roll of Pillsbury sugar cookie dough. I did not do that. Why? Because my mom already has a freaking awesome sugar cookie dough recipe, so I made that instead. Here it is!
Linda Wright's Sugar Cookies/The Best Mom Ever's Sugar Cookies
2/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
4 tsp milk
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Cream together shortening, sugar, and vanilla. Add egg. Beat until light and fluffy. Stir in milk. Stir in dry ingredients. Divide dough in half. Roll to desired thickness and cut into shapes. Carefully pick up cookies with a pancake turner. Bake on greased cookie sheet about 8 minutes at 350 or until the cookies start to brown a little on the edges and the bottom. Remove from cookie sheet to cool on double layer of paper towels.
Now, for the motherload bars, if you use this recipe in place of the Pillsbury dough (you totally should), you're going to stop after stirring in the dry ingredients. It will make sense when you make these. But for future use, by all means make these cookies! I would also recommend refrigerating the dough after getting it all mixed (for the motherload and if you're making cookie cut outs with it). It just makes it easier to work with.
The second comment I would like to make is this: the 3rd layer is peanut butter cookie dough. She uses 1/2 cup sugar, a cup of peanut butter, and one egg. This made me think of a little "trick" my friend Chelsea Rose taught me while visiting last summer. If you are craving a good warm cookie like RIGHT NOW, mix 1 cup sugar, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 egg, and 1 cup chocolate chips together, spoon onto an ungreased sheet, and bake at 350 until you feel like they're done. So easy. Now gaining 5 pounds is more accessible than you ever dreamed it would be.
Here's the bottom layer on the right, the yummy sugar cookie goodness :).
The second layer! You don't have to cover it perfectly. It all works out.
When I put the peanut butter dough on, some of the chocolate mixed with it. I was okay with that.
If you look at this picture after reading her recipe, you will see where I made my mistake. She says to drop the chocolate chip layer on without smoothing over. Whoops! I should probably read things better first... This still worked out, but I'm going to try it the right way next time to see how it goes :)
These are really good warmed up, with whipped cream on top!