When it comes to my birthday, I still feel like a little kid. I want presents, parties, and many celebrations. Sometimes that means I’m setting myself up. Let’s face it: I’m a mom of three and nobody has thrown me a party since I was 25. That was a loooooong time ago. But still, I hold out hope!

One thing I’ve learned to do is bake my own birthday treat. A few years ago, I baked this cookie cake for the first time. It was my favorite cookie cake ever, but my photo skills weren’t so great back then. Plus, I wanted to see if I could make the whole thing GF and a little easier. Done and done!

Now that I’m off the hook for jury duty (I didn’t get selected, but I did make it into a courtroom, so that’s always fun), I’m full steam ahead on getting ready for the school year ahead. That means a lot of organizing, cleaning, and decision-making.

When I changed schools earlier this summer, I left a very beautiful school building behind in exchange for one with a lot more history and age. My new work home is a lot older, but it’s kept up nicely and I’ve been feeling at home here.

The thing is, I’ve been getting this reaction from some people about my change of venue that is less than desired. People tend to set a lot of store by new and sparkly things. Hey, how can I blame them? New is usually very nice. But no matter how nice a space is, a school especially, the end result is what everyone makes of it.

Students make schools come alive, not awe-inspiring entryways or corporate-looking office spaces. This is a school, and it looks like one. Personally, I find that comforting.

Okay, end rant. Can I talk about this cookie cake now?

It’s chewy in the center and crispy at the edges, just like my favorite cookies are. There’s a layer of hot fudge that glues the peanut butter cups (both chopped up snack-sized and miniatures) to the top. And there are more chopped PB cups in the actual cookie.

Hey, it’s about to be my birthday. I want to do it up, and that means lots of peanut butter lover’s cookie cake for me. And if anyone wants to throw me a crazy wild party, just name the time and the venue. I’ll be there!

If I had to decide what to bake somebody on Valentine’s Day, which I don’t (see below), I’d definitely go for cookie cake. It’s easy and fast, but it just oozes love and chewy delight.

This year for Valentine’s Day, Kenny is getting chocolate and a book. I’ve done enough baking leading up to this heart-shaped day, and we need no more. You feel me? #foodbloggerproblems

Over the course of my not crazy long life, I’ve heard phrases and expressions come and go. One of the more recent (and a growing irritant for me) is the term “conversational snow.” It refers to snow that falls but doesn’t stick anywhere. It’s what I would call “pointless snow,” or if I’m in a better mood, “pretty snow.” After all, it’s a lot more fun to drive home in a light snowfall that isn’t accumulating than in a driving rain.

Another expression that continues to gain momentum? “It is what it is.” I know several people who can’t stand this particular turn of phrase, but it doesn’t bother me that much. After all, how else would you describe something that just cannot be changed?

But I’ll tell you what I can’t stand: “I don’t know what to tell you.” What does that even mean? You say that to someone when they have a problem and there’s no solution, but not much is more frustrating to hear. It’s like an admission of failure.

And finally, nobody likes it when someone says, “That’s the way the cookie crumbles.” Not only is it a stupid expression, but everyone knows that good cookies do not crumble. That’s just a bad cookie.

What is magical is the perfect cookie cake. They sure as heck don’t crumble, and they’re fantastic. On the spectrum of sweets to give your sweetie, this one ranks high.

It’s a peanut butter cookie, of course. But even better, it’s filled with delightful peanut butter M & Ms and piped with hot pink frosting. Let the good times roll, everyone!

The only expression I want to hear this weekend is “I love you.” Over and over. Other than that, all the cliched phrases and conversational snow can just go away. Give me a snowstorm and a cookie cake and we’re in good territory!

Honestly, I’m drawn to cookie cakes. When I’m in the grocery store, I can’t help but walk by the giant chocolate chip cookie cakes covered in frosting and drool. But then I remember that it’s pretty easy to make one right here at home.

This cookie dough is soft and full of both holiday chips and chocolate chips. The frosting is definitely an added bonus. There’s nothing here to hate on, friends!

Recently, I bought a book on cake decorating, which is light reading in my universe. I mean, I spend the day teaching Shakespeare, so my nights are taken up with Us Weekly and cake decorating books. Every time I read these books, I’m astonished at what people can do with bags of frosting and piping tips.

I’m not one of those people. Not yet. I’ve taken classes and read books, but I have a day job and several children at home, both of which stop me from being a decorating whiz. But it’s a dream, people. It’s a dream.

Nurturing dreams is important. I’ve met too many people who claim to be “too old” for something, from “I’m too old to wear jeans” or “I’m too old to join a band” to “I’m too old to fight for human rights.” It doesn’t really matter. The point is, you’re not too old. It’s a shoddy excuse for not doing what your inner voice is telling you to do.

I don’t believe in limits. I mean, I know they exist, and they painfully obtrude upon my life at times. But I try and look at the possibilities as being larger than they are, and then if reality bites, well then, it does. At least I tried. At least hope didn’t die.

So someday, I’ll be a whiz cake decorator. For now, I’m happy piping swirls. I love swirls.

And of course, I love cookie cake. The key to a good cookie cake is to take it out of the oven before it fully bakes. It will set as it cools, and then the slices will be the perfect texture. Overdoing cookie dough is such a sad, sad mistake.

This cookie cake is covered in frosting and holiday chips. It’s a holiday extravaganza! So grab your piping bags and have fun. You don’t have to be an expert to make your dreams of deliciousness come true!

In fact, when I was that age, I really wanted a teddy bear on Valentine’s Day. I got one eventually, and when I did, it took away all the mystique and appeal. I guess maybe it’s not always a good idea to get what we think we want. Turns out, a bear holding a heart is still just a bear.

But I do still get excited every Valentine’s Day, and part of that excitement stems from the anticipation of adorable desserts. Desserts should be cute on Valentine’s, and they should also be creative. I’m not trying to hate on chocolate lava cake (because it is totally delicious and amazing), but why can’t we have other little cakes as well? Or, dare I suggest it, little cookie cakes?

These are pretty awesome. What we’ve got here is a chocolate chunk cookie mini-cake, but with a lovely bit of melty chocolate inside. I stick a big square of bittersweet chocolate into the middle of the cake to give it an extra chocolate punch.

Served warm, the chocolate oozes out. Served cool, it’s still a lot of fun. And there’s tons of potential for romance with these babies! Or, you know, just a really good ten minutes. Whatever works for you.

The greatest thing about cookie cakes is that you don’t have to chill any dough before baking. The other greatest thing about these particular cookie cakes is that they’re portion-controlled. Have your Valentine’s Day cake and save the rest for another time!

Kids love them, too. Nothing was more gratifying than watching my daughter plow through her cookie cake with a look of sheer stubborn determination on her face, like it was a mountain she was going to conquer. Someday, she’ll have no trouble eating two of these in one sitting. But for now, they look big to a little girl’s eyes.

Whatever your sweet choices are for the upcoming holiday, make sure they’re cute. Whether that means they’re pink, they’re mini, or both, seize the day!