In honor of my dear, late mama, I’ve decided to start posting some of her favorite chocolate recipes. “If It Isn’t Chocolate, Why Bother?” was Mama’s baking motto.

I think these yummy chocolate cookies are a great way to kick off this series. Mama’s recipe card calls them “Choco-Nut Chewies,” but my children have re-named them “Smushy Cookies,” so that’s the title we’ll use. While she never met her granddaughters, Mama was a word nerd who would certainly have approved of their re-naming her baked goods.

Smushy Cookies

6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2/3 cup oats

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Melt chocolate chips in microwave or double boiler. Be careful not to overheat them! In separate large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add egg, vanilla, and melted chips. Add dry ingredients. Stir in oats and nuts (optional). Roll dough in spoonfull-sized balls. Smash each with a small drinking glass. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool 2 minutes on baking stones before removing to cooling racks.