Every year around the beginning of July (specifically July 7th), I’m reminded of how much my husband hates celebrating his birthday. I mean HATES celebrating his birthday. I’m not exaggerating here, he hates his birthday the way other people hate poison ivy and spiders. His loathing of any type recognition on his day not only borders on bah-humbugness, but it goes against every grain in my party-planning body. See, I love birthdays. And not just mine, either, I love everybody’s birthday. I love the cakes and the presents and the balloons, and all the other hoopla that goes along with a throwing big fete. To not celebrate his birthday every year is torturous for me, which is why I do it anyway. BUT, I do it very slyly, almost stealth-like, so that he doesn’t even notice that he’s celebrating. I begrudgingly forgo the streamers and the decorations, and instead opt for a few cards and unwrapped gifts, followed by a nice dinner at his favorite restaurant (and as much as I’d love to see him flush, I don’t ask the waiters to parade out and sing to him). And above all, and this is very important, there are no candles, and the cake comes in the form of a cookie. A birthday cake cookie! Pretty sneaky, right?

Birthday Cake Cookies

Makes 24

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3-4 Tbsp sprinkles
• 1 cup icing

(My apologies, baking soda was unavailable for this photo shoot, but it did make it into the cookies.)

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, beat cake mix, oil, baking soda, and eggs until smooth and creamy. Fold in sprinkles.

Stir until combined.(Alternatively you could use Funfetti cake mix and omit the sprinkles, but that would just make it too easy.)

Drop 1 rounded Tbsp of batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet (seriously, don’t try to make them any bigger than a Tbsp or you’ll end up with cooked edges and a gooey center).

Leave at least 2-inches between cookies to allow for spreading.

Bake for 6-8 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cookie comes out clean. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Let cookies cool completely before icing and devouring.

Serve with a birthday candle (optional) and a cold glass of milk (not optional).