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I think I just may have found a cure for the common stomach-ache.  Seriously.

For the past few days, I haven’t been feeling well.  Stomach cramps, tingly skin…the works.   But then, when I was considering what to do with the kids coming over for our play date this afternoon, I got excited about making elephant ear cookies.  I am sure that the thought of cooking with four kids, ages 6 and 8, might give most people a stomach ache.   But for me, it was a welcomed distraction and the pains started to dissipate as soon as I put the ingredients on the counter.

Even though it was a beautiful day, the kids asked if they could come inside to make cookies for awhile before returning to the trampoline.  We made this recipe, from the Clabbergirl website.

Elephant Ears Recipe

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Read the recipe top to bottom first-adults and children together. Explain to children all steps and methods in advance. Discuss and answer any questions.
2. Have all the ingredients and utensils out and ready to go. Let children help prepare.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. Place butter in glass dish. Cover and melt in microwave for 1 minute on low heat. You can use a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat. Be careful not to burn or brown the butter.
5. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix by hand.
6. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the butter and milk. Mix until you have a smooth dough.
7. Lightly dust countertop or board with flour. Pat dough into rectangle.
8. Brush surface of dough with remaining butter.
9. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in the bowl; sprinkle on rectangle.
10. Roll up the rectangle tightly; pinch along the seam to seal.
11. Cut the roll into four even pieces; place on baking sheet cut side down.
12. Flatten each piece with your hand.
13. Place baking sheet in oven so it is not touching oven sides or another pan. Bake 10-12 minutes.
14. Keep dry oven mitts close by and a wire cooling rack ready for the pan to cool on. Let an older child or adult remove the finished Elephant Ears.

I couldn’t resist the sweet cinnamon aroma of the baking cookies, and was relieved that my stomach cooperated when I ate one…and then another…