Muddy Mississippi

I grew up in a small Arkansas town, just an hour north of Memphis. My parents and the rest of my family still live there, so anytime I want to visit them, I have to cross this bridge over the Mississippi River:

Bridges over the river are the only way in and out of Arkansas, and driving over them affords me the opportunity to check out the great river that contributed to the formation of this city years and years ago. I'm also lucky enough to work in an office located just two blocks from the river's edge. All that stuff they say about the "muddy Mississippi" is totally true. The water has a brownish tint on most days.

Where am I going with all this river talk? Mississippi Mud Cookies! That's where:

These little no-bake cookies have lots of names, but down here we call 'em Mississippi Mud Cookies. The exact recipe will be included in my cookbook, but I can say that they're made with a combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and oats — three of the tastiest ingredients ever. I'm certain these taste way better than water from the actual Mississippi River.

One interesting thing about these cookies: They won't set when it's too humid outside. Last time I tested this recipe, the cookies never firmed up. So you'll want to pick a day with some nice weather to make these. Otherwise you can just eat the "mud" with a spoon, which is still delicious and maybe even more fun.