Homemade cookies have always been a big deal in my family. My sister and I use the same chocolate chip cookie recipe and they turn out completely different! Hers are bigger and crispier and mine are the smaller softer ones. They are all great - but different. We would always make them for our dad and he would secretly tell each of us that ours were the best! We have never figured out why they are different. Maybe it’s the order we mix them up or the stone/pan we cook them on? It doesn’t really matter because they are all wonderful!
When our kids were teenagers, I would start making my cookies and by the time they were all mixed together I would have a kitchen full of kids ready to do a “taste test”- or so they would say. The girls always wanted to eat the dough, while the boys waited patiently (with their glasses of milk) for the hot cookies to come out of the oven. I always made a double batch because a single batch didn’t last too long. I wondered how the kids knew it was time to visit the Cullens, but I assume a text was sent out simply stating, “Mom is making cookies!” and the doorbell started ringing. It made me happy! A bunch of teenagers surrounding the kitchen island, eating cookies, drinking milk and laughing was never a bad thing.
I also took my cookies to school. I used them as a bribe. HA! “If EVERYONE turns in their community service hours” or “The class with the highest average…” It worked! I would also just surprise my classes with cookies! I had to double, sometimes triple my recipe to make sure I had enough for everyone to at least have two! I tried to make sure that by the end of the semester every class was given cookies at some point. If we had a team make the playoffs and if I had time, I would make a batch and send them some good luck cookies as well!
Back at home, my sweet husband has always given me a hard time for making cookies and then giving them to other people. He would like all of them to stay home so he can eat them. Ha! When I retired, I remember him saying, “Well, at leastl now I get all the cookies!” …and he does! His are special - made with chocolate chips and extra Heath chunks! They don’t last long. Our daughter likes the cookies to have the lines on the bottom from the cooling rack, our son-in-law likes the ones I leave in the oven a bit longer and are a little crispy, and our son loves chocolate chip cookies with no chocolate chips - go figure! If they are around when I am making them now, I usually make sure to make them each a few like they prefer! It doesn’t matter how they like them. To me what is important is that I found something that I can do to bring my favorite people happiness!
What about you? Do you have something you do that draws people to you or makes other people smile or laugh? What is something you do that you might be remembered for? What is your “Chocolate Chip Cookie?” When I die, if someone says they remember the cookies I made for them….. that will be just fine!:)
Here’s the recipe… It’s basically the Toll House recipe
3/4c sugar
3/4c brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
*Mix together, then add
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 butter flavored crisco stick (secret ingrediant)
*stir up, then add slowly
2 1/4c of flour
Chocolate chips ( and Heath, M&Ms or anything else you want)
Cook at 375 for 9-10 minutes
ENJOY!!!