My Favorite Cottage Things: Wooden Trivets + the "Best Chocolate Chip Cookies"
Up until fairly recently, Hubs would often joke that I have a knack for making biscuits that resemble cookies and cookies that look (and taste) like biscuits. He was right. I don't know what I was doing wrong, but no matter what recipe I tried or how meticulously I followed it, my cookies would just never turn out. I believe now that what I really needed all those years was my little old-fashion cottage kitchen to spark in me the determination to make the perfect cookie - even if it was the last thing I ever managed to do.
I have to admit that I didn't really *love* or feel attached to my almost renovated cottage kitchen until this past April when I began to do more cooking and baking. It had nothing to do with expensive appliance upgrades and state of the art cooking gadgets (I have neither, anyway) but I think it had more to do with finally feeling "at home" in the new space after getting thoroughly acquainted with it. With the two of us working happily and frequently together (the kitchen and I), we have become like old friends who feel confident that when we tackle a recipe, especially a cookie recipe, we will succeed...or at least get better with each attempt. Individually, people and old kitchens are imperfect and need work (and sometimes must be accepted "as is") , but my goodness, as a team - is there anything that they can't accomplish? Nevermind my fine lines and foibles - nevermind her unlevel floor and imperfectly installed countertop...when we're working together, those things are put out of mind and our focus is on creating something delicious and from our hearts!
So during these last few months, my dear old kitchen and I have set off to try our best at baking and in the process, have discovered some really great recipes. Out of all the ones I may share with you in the future, you have to know that I really and truly mean it when I say that you absolutely, positively, must try the "Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" recipe at least once in your lifetime, but preferably every week - if not more. I have tried so many chocolate chip cookie recipes and while most of them were tasty, they just weren't what I personally was looking for in a chocolate chip cookie (the old "it's not you, it's me" explanation). I like a good old-fashion chocolate chip cookie that is hearty, chunky, chewy, soft, and moist - and stays that way even the day after baking (there will be none left by the third day, just so you know). I've been on the search for this cookie for 15 years, and I'm happy to report that I've finally found it. Your personal chocolate chip cookie preference may be different but if not, do try this recipe and let me know what you think! Most of the 1500+ reviews were positive and the few that weren't, well, I believe those folks just have a different cookie style:)
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
INGREDIENTS
* 1 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 teaspoons hot water
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
* 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
3. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.
My personal notes:
I don't have one of those handy cookie scoops to ensure that each of my cookies are the same size, so I used two level tablespoons of dough, rolled up into a loose ball, for each cookie. They come out a perfect size and just the right thickness!
I baked my cookies for exactly 11 minutes and they were perfect. Try a test cookie for 10 minutes first and let cool, and see if you might like it even better.
After removing them from the oven, I let my cookies stand for just a few minutes until they were firm enough to transfer to a wire cooling rack. I let them cool completely and then stored them in an airtight plastic container. I layered them between sheets of wax paper just in case they tried to stick together!
Today, I was pondering the fact that I've got a few little growing collections of items that I didn't consciously realize I was collecting! I guess they are just little things that I always gravitate towards at thrift stores or yard sales without thinking "Oh, I'll add this to my collection!"
I've discovered that I happen to have an affinity for carved wooden trivets. I like the various sizes you can find and the intricate details on most of them. What I've found that I like to do is paint them, of course! I've already painted two of the five that I own and I'm pleased with how they turned out. I painted a white basecoat using spray paint, and then a few coats of red spray paint. After sanding and distressing the trivets to reveal the white undercoat here and there, I wiped them down with a dark tinted paste wax and then buffed, buffed, buffed.
I've never actually used the painted trivets as I'm afraid a hot pot would damage the finish, but I do like the way the trivets look as decorative accents. I've put the two red ones in my kitchen island and think they look sweet and dainty tucked in between the ironstone china. I'm sure they are feeling much too pretty now to be bearing up the load of a hefty old pot, anyway. "Let the practical potholders have that job!", they say:)
18 comments:
What? You've been in my recipe books! This very same recipe is in the old Betty Crocker Cookbook under Chocolate Chip Toll House Cookies! I have been baking them since 26 years ago when I was 10! I have the recipe memorized! My hubby likes for me to pat them in a pan and make them into bars! Great recipe aint it...ok I will share with you! Grin
Thanks for the recipe. I love a good CC cookie.
I really enjoy your blog.
Now that makes me want to look for some wooden trivets. I'll remember how great they look painted next time I see them. I think I might just have to try those chocolate chip cookies too.
Are you my sister? lol I always make biscuits as flat as cookies and cookies as fluffy as biscuits! I'll definately be giving your recipe a try! The trivets look really pretty! Have a great day!
Sarah
Those trivets are so pretty... I'd be showing them off too...
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Hey! I've got that one too! It's the old toll house cookie :0). Aren't they fab?! I'm so glad you found they were perfect for you too.
Your trivets are wonderful. They seem to have a bit of personality too.
Those wooden trivets are so pretty. And the chocolate chip cookies sound great. I only eat cookies freshly baked! (helps with the waistline)
Lorrie
Yum! Now I'm hungry. ;) Thanks for the recipe!
The trivets are really cute, btw!
Claire
I like your trivets! And I will most definitely try the cookie recipe - I haven't found the perfect chocolate chip cookie yet either. ::Jill
Cookie tip from my 16 year old son who makes the BEST chocolate chip cookies ever (I don't even bother anymore). Bake them one minute short, take them out and bang the pan, put them back in for the last minute. I don't know why, but it makes them chewy and gooey and, if they last more than a few hours, they stay that way. I think his recipe is the Toll House cookie recipe from my mom.
Hi Kim~
Ooh! I LOVE baking! (And in my opinion, there is nothing more fun to bake than chocolate chip cookies!)
I can't wait to try your recipe out! Thanks for giving it to us!
Thank you also for stopping by and saying hi on my blog! :) It made my day! Or rather, it made my night!
Well, I loved and felt attached to your cottage kitchen from the moment I saw it, LOL ;-) The photos of these cookies are so fantastic I want to reach in and eat one. Or two. Or three. (OK you get my point.) I'm a baker so thanks for the yummy post!
As an Aussie, I'm not sure I know the difference between a biscuit and a cookie (I thought the terms were interchangable) but regardless, my girls and I baked using your recipe this afternoon.....and we can't stop eating them. This is certainly one of those treasures to keep for all time. Thanks Kim.
I love these wooden trivets. Yet another thing to search for. :)
I love recipes! thanks for sharing.
I have an old betty crocker cookbook that was my grandma's.
I will have to post a picture of it sometime. I really enjoy your blog!
I just pulled my batch out of the oven! They are yummy! Next time I will use Ghirardelli's Milk Chocolate chips! They are worth the extra change!
Love the trivet idea! I like them as is, not painted, but they take on a totally different look with the paint, going from ethnic to country.
Hi Kim
My first time here! Guess what I will be doing tomorrow???
Baking cookies! yum yum...
xoxo
Diane
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