October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Recipe: Cowgirl Cookies)

Statistics tell us that 1 in 3 women in our lifetime will or have been impacted by breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009 over 190,000 of new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. Add to that over 60,000 additional cases of in situ breast cancer. This year, over 40,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer. Only lung cancer accounts for more deaths in women. Breast cancer does not only impact women. In 2009, approximately 1,900 cases of breast cancer are expected to occur in men. In addition, it is estimated that over 400 men will die from this disease.

On February 6, 2006 my Mom lost her battle with a dual diagnosis of breast cancer and lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain. She was diagnosed a few days before Thanksgiving 2005. During those eleven weeks she underwent intensive radiation and chemotherapy. Some of the cancer masses decreased in size from the treatment, but others were growing at too rapid of a speed and ultimately took over.

For those who read my blog regularly, I often reference my Mom. She was my rock. When she died my world took a huge blow. It's three and half years later and I still miss her more than many know. She was my inspiration for this blog. I realized after recreating her annual Christmas cookie trays that baking and cooking was a way for me to find peace and comfort and to carry on her memory.

Before I share a recipe with you today, I ask you to do a few favors for me today. Take the time out of your busy day to do something that could save your life. Do a breast self exam, schedule a regular mammogram, and mark your calendar monthly to remind you to do a breast self exam. Take a second minute to remind someone you love and care about to get into the habit of doing monthly breast self exams and for them to schedule annual mammograms. Early detection helps save lives. Lastly, if you are a blogger remind your readers to do the same!

My recipe today comes from Angie at Bakerella. I love to read her blog and am always amazed at her creativity. Her post for cowgirl cookies (inspired by cowboy cookies) was accompanied by a jar gift idea. Jar gifts are a great way to share a favorite recipe. Check out her site to get more info on putting together the jar gifts and also the templates she provides. When I saw the pink M&Ms in the cookies and the jars I thought it would be a nice thing to give my friends this month with a reminder of breast cancer awareness month. The cookies came out wonderful. They are soft and a little chewy on the inside and have a slight crunch along the outside edge. M&Ms make so many holiday specific colors that these are a great addition to any holiday treat plate! If you are not a fan of M&Ms you could substitute chopped cherries or cranberries. I don't know how long those items would hold up in the jar gift, though.

10/21 Update: I was on Jen of Beantown Baker's blog and saw that she is hosting a Power of Pink Challenge this month as a way to promote breast cancer awareness. What does the challenge involve you ask? Make something pink! Please be sure to visit Jen's blog to get all the challenge specifics!

Cowgirl Cookies
Adapted from Bakerella

Depending upon the size you make you will get anywhere from 2-3 dozen cookies

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup M&Ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar (I used dark brown sugar as I like the rich flavor)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 egg
1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave; about 30 seconds worked for me; you want it soft not liquid)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Add:

1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave; about 30 seconds worked for me)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use the back of a large spoon to work it all together. You may even need to use your hands to get everything incorporated. I definitely used my hands to bring it all together. I went back to the recipe twice as I was sure some wet ingredient was missing. Trust me, it just takes a little TLC to get everything combined.

Roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, place on a parchment covered baking sheet or silpat and bake for about 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. I used my 1 1/2 inch cookie scoop and baked for 9 minutes. The mixture does get a little sticky on the hands when rolling out. The way I got around this was to place a scoop of dough in my hand and then close my hand for about 5 seconds. The heat from your hand helps keep everything together and less sticky. I then rolled into a circle and placed on the cookie sheet. Angie said she got about 26-28 cookies out of these, but I got about 40 since I used the scoop.

If your friends are not of the baking nature, you can whip up a batch of these and give them a few as reminder of breast cancer awareness.

Have you ever created a jar gift? Any recipes you want to share?