My cat's been ... busy

Monday is the moral-building Halloween potluck at work. My contribution: cat poop cookies.

I had kind of mentioned it jokingly to a coworker last week, and the idea took off like wildfire. Everywhere I walked in the office, somebody would ask, "Kate, you're not really going to make cat poop cookies, are you?" By the time Friday rolled around, I felt there was no way I could back out of it.

So behold! Cat poop cookies!

Actually, these were a staple around my house when I was a kid because you can make them in 15 minutes and they don't require an oven. Unfortunately, Mom didn't call them "cat poop cookies" and didn't serve them in a litter box with a scoop. But in case you want to surprise Granny at your next holiday dinner, here's the recipe:

Cat Poop Cookies

1 stick butter or margarine
4 Tbsp. cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups quick oats
1 tsp. vanilla
Optional mix-ins: chopped peanuts, coconut, butterscotch chips ... whatever

In a medium saucepan, heat butter, cocoa, sugar and milk. Stir until boiling and let boil one minute. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until it dissolves. Add oats, vanilla, and mix-ins if wanted. (Wait until it cools a bit if you want to add the butterscotch chips, or they'll just melt.)

Drop by spoonful onto wax paper and let cool until solid. Stick 'em in a roasting pan on a bed of Grapenuts with a cat litter scoop, and you're good to go. ^_^

So what do you think? Convincing??