form

set your timer:  for the next 15 minutes write about a subject without knowing what the piece will be.  Will it be an essay, a poem or begin to take the shape of a novel?

I read this chapter this morning, knowing I'd have just about 15 minutes to myself today, and can you guess what my topic is? 

Are you guessing?

Well, I know you'll be shocked to find out I am going to write my favoritest, most treasured topic of all: 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

(Insert airy music and Angels singing...)

God knows that I have studied and poured my soul into this subject.  It all began when I went over to Stornant's house (yes, I'll blame them) when I was in high school, and watched Amy make the recipe on the back of the magical yellow Tollhouse Bag.  She used real butter, something we had never used.  It was also the first time I had ever seen a KitchenAid Mixer (again, insert airy music and Angels singing), and I have been hooked ever since. 

I have made it a mission to try and find the most perfect recipe as well.  I have a standard go-to recipe that I usually make on a weekly basis and refrigerate.  But every now and again, I'll hear what someone else does (Jess uses melted butter, not softened), or see one online that I want to try....like this beauty I found yesterday.  These, I will try this weekend.

So what is it about the cookie?  I honestly don't know.  To me it's not really about the cookie.

It's comfort.

It makes the house smell like a home.

It reminds me of my mom.

It makes everyone smile.

The chocolate and warm salty-sweetness of the dough create the perfect combination of a taste sensation.  Yes, I just said taste sensation.  Don't worry, I'll be done soon. 

I will leave you with this: my perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.  It's a combination of the Toll House Recipe and my own tweaks to it.   I hope you enjoy.

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 sticks softened butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1 bag of Tollhouse Chocolate Chips

1.  Mix together the butter, sugars, and vanilla.  Add the eggs and mix together.

2.  In a separate bowl, mix the flour, soda, and salt.

3.  Gradually mix them in with the butter mixture (don't over mix!)

4.  Add the chips and hand stir till perfection.

Bake at 325 till golden brown.  I can't give you a specific time because I take them out when they smell done.  Yep, you read that correctly too.

God, I love this book...