More Chocolate Chip Cookies

Earlier today I was looking at a cooking blog (notwithoutsalt.com)and found what is described as the last chocolate chip cookie recipe you'll ever need. I had already decided that I was going to cook or bake today because it's been a while, but I didn't have a recipe in mind. So once I saw the recipe I knew I had to try it. I also made dinner for the girls that was lemon-garlic tilapia, pasta, and asparagus; however, I'm not including those because there wasn't much "cooking" involved. Mostly seasoning. Okay, back to the cookies. They're good. I need to try them tomorrow to see how I truly feel. I think the best time to get the flavor of a cookie (or most baked items) is the next morning when the flavors have had time to settle. So far Sesha likes them a lot and Stalena thinks they're good, but she's not sold that they're the ultimate.

The Last Chocolate Chip Cookie? (from notwithoutsalt.com)

2 sticks butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup Turbinado sugar (aka Sugar in the Raw)
1 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla (I LOVE vanilla so seeing this double amount made me happy.)
3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 lb chocolate (Use the best quality chocolate you can afford. Cut the chunks roughly 1/2 inch)

Cream the butter and the sugars until light. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Continue mixing while adding the eggs one at a time. Make sure each egg is incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla. Combine the flour, soda, and salt in another bowl. With a whisk, stir to combine. With the machine on low, slowly add the flour. Mix until just combined, taking care not to over mix. With a spatula fold in the chocolate. Bake at 360 degrees for 12 minutes.

She said to use chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips because chips have some wax to help hold their shape. The chunks allow the chocolate to melt into the layers. I bought a giant (14 oz) chocolate bar and cut it up. It was the largest one I found and even though it's a bit shy of the 1 lb suggestion, I think it was plenty of chocolate.

One day I'm going to own a beautiful, lovely, hardworking stand mixer so that my hands don't have to cramp after my little handheld mixer reaches it's max.

Pancakes

Hello friends!

Sorry that I've been absent with my blog lately. Life has been a little busy and I haven't been baking much lately. To top that off, this entry is about a box mix and not a homemade recipe. Eek! But I wanted to tell you about a delicious new pancake mix I discovered. It's Quaker Oatmeal pancakes. So good! I like pancakes (even though I only have them occasionally) and was looking for a healthier alternative to pancakes. Lo and behold, I saw this box on the shelf and decided to try it. I was very, very pleased. They had substance, but weren't dense. Anyway, you should buy a box and try it. And if you're feeling adventurous put peanut butter on top instead of regular butter. It adds protein and is soooo good. My Grandma Sanders is the one that taught me about peanut butter on pancakes. She also put bacon bits on hers which I don't do, but some of you make want to give it a try. Especially those that are bacon crazy (Gillian).