Thursday, May 27, 2010

Raising The Bar On An Old Time Favorite

When I was a teenager, I use to babysit a little boy who loved to draw. I enjoyed babysitting him because he was quite the little artist and loved to draw little bunny figures with fat bellies and big pointy ears. We called them bunny estates and we would make up stories of the bunnies as we went along. Though my drawing skills were very elementary, it was a lot of fun!

Babysitting him was also a treat because his mother, Mrs. Barr, made THE VERY BEST chocolate chip cookies – EVER!! Oh what a delightful sound it was when she would tell me that there were fresh chocolate chip cookies in the cookie jar if I cared to help myself.

Are you kidding?

How could I turn down a homemade chocolate cookie? Ok, not singular…cookie…

….more like 2….

…..3…

…….and maybe a fourth.

P1010029d There was something just perfect about Mrs. Barr’s cookies. They were kind of cake like and not real greasy. I have tried and tried to replicate her recipe over the years.

I’ve cut back on the butter, used Crisco shortening instead of butter, and have used both butter and shortening together.

More flour – less flour.

More white sugar over the brown sugar.

Less baking soda and more baking soda.

Still….no luck.

What was it that she did to make them so perfect?

Should I use 3 eggs instead of 2?

P1010023c

This afternoon I tried to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie – again.

Nope……these are NOT like Mrs. Barr’s!

Don’t get me wrong, these are good, but just NOT good enough. At least not like I remember the very best use to be.

I try NOT to bake because I have an impeccable sweet tooth – no, make that plural – a whole mouth full of them!

P1010033e It is good to know that semi-sweet chocolate morsels are a natural source of antioxidants and they don’t have any fatty acids!!!

Score!!!!

That is ALL that I needed to hear!

P1010004f

With that, I am having THREE – yes, count them ….

1.

2.

3.

Mmmm…….where’s the milk?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

31 comments:

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I'm on my way with the milk - those look divine!!

becky up the hill said...

Yes, eat those cookies, good for you! I say eat a 4th one!

Brenda Pruitt said...

That's all I need to hear too! Love those chocolate chip cookies any time of the day or night!
Brenda

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

When I grew up I made them exactly the way the recipe said on the back of the Nestles Chocolate chips. The original recipe called for all Crisco - no butter. I now make them with mostly Crisco and just a little bit of butter. So basically 3/4 Crisco and 1/4 butter...

For some reason they always were better when I grew up. Maybe the recipe changed - more that the crisco to butter thing?

Miss Jean said...

These would be so good dipped in.....carmel sauce!!!!! Save me some!!!!!

twinkle said...

I have the milk! It's in a glass milk jar...and it's whole milk!
Let's splurge...

twinkle said...

And I've done the same thing, trying to replicate a friend's green beans. I don't know how she flavored them but they were so delish! A tad of sweetness added and something else I just can't figure out. I've tried molasses, brown sugar...wait, I don't think I've tried honey! Maybe that's what she added...

And I've always heard everything tastes better when it's cooked with love...

Tanza said...

Ooohhh yummy Becky !! Mouth watering .. Your camera is good, makes me feel like they are right in front of my face (mouth) .. I can almost smell 'em ..Enjoy every l;ast bite my friend .. you desserve a treat !!

I have to share with you tho, I was talking to a baker at a bakery once, about why things don't bake like Grannys treats turned out .. And, he shared that the ingredients we use now-a-days, have been altered soo much .. He said Crisco oil isn't made the same in years, because of all the regulations, and FDA rules .. Everything has been altered, because of health issues .. He said even butter isn't made the same way .. Interesting .. huh !! And I believe that .. cuz, I like you, have copied to the "T", and my baked items aren't exactly like hers !! Ooohhh darn, they're still good tho !!

Thanks for sharing sweet one, and you have a happy rest of your week my friend ~
hugs ~tea~ xo

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I just bought a bag of chocolate chips...I may need to test a recipe! They look wonderful! ♥

The Green Pea said...

Eat a few for me and have another glass of milk. Oh! that sounds so good. s

Unknown said...

The cookies look scrumptious! Enjoy one for me with a glass of milk, please.

marie said...

Only three? You're good!

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, I have to have a very cold glass of milk (Skim of course...LOL) with my cookies. That's like drinking diet coke and eating M&M's, they balance each other out right???

xo
LeAnn

Elsie said...

Becky pour me a glass of milk too,
I'll join you. I love chocolate
chip cookies. Can I have 4,PLEEEASSSEEE.:o)

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

3 is a good thing! Your cookies look sooooooo good! Have a wonderful weekend Becky!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Do you know -- I make okay chocolate chip cookies. I mean, who can go wrong with chocolate chip cookies, right? But my teenage daughters make GREAT chocolate chip cookies! How did that happen?

Vee said...

Is Mrs. Barr no more? I'd look her up and beg for the recipe! Yours look scrumptious to me.

Pondside said...

Me too, please - a large glass of milk and as many cookies as you're having - then a long walk with the furry friends.

Mimi Sue said...

There's nothing like a great chocolate chip cookie (or 4) and a cold glass of milk. Pure bliss. Mimi

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! I can smell those all the way down the 99!

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Those look so yummy Becky!
That is exactly what I have plans for today, too.

CCC are a passion for many people. I spent about 5 months, cooking - eating, cooking - eating...etc., looking for what was the perfect cookie. Tried so many recipes and changing them like you did.

But that perfect cookie is different to each person. And yours look perfect for a glass of milk!
Happy Weekend!
Donna

Julie said...

YUM!!! I want to try this tempting and delicious looking recipe! Those kind of cookies do not last around this house...Have a great weekend and holiday...Hugs.

"Create Beauty" said...

I need them.

Rose said...

i wasn't a big fan of the girl next door but on her mothers baking day i was her best friend! but she was mean but the cookies were too good to pass up. my mother finally got the recipe from the neighbor and i have never found a person that said they had a better choc/chip/oatmeal/peanut butter/raisin cookie! my husband thinks i could become rich! i don't make them often because of both our weight!
but you just made me start craving them. yours look awful good!

the wild raspberry said...

chocolate cookies are my FAVORITE!!

hope you have a blessed weekend filled with HIS abundant peace.

hugs~
chasity

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

Thanks for the healthy info!!!
Beautiful photos~~ ummmmmmm!
Beth

Wendy said...

Yum!! Chocolate Chip cookies don't last too long here either! Especially warm right out of the oven :)

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Only 3.. what retraint!
I am a self confessed biccyholic.. and once I have the taste of those sweet crumbs on my tongue, there is no stopping me!
These look very tasty.. may I have the recipe?

Much love from afar.
Michele xx

Unknown said...

I can smell those from here! :)
Yum!
~Liz

Jean at The Delightful Repast said...

Chocolate was my favorite flavor all my life until mid-20s. Though I'm not that keen on chocolate these days, but I still love a good not-too-sweet, not-too-many-chips, chewy chocolate chip cookie from time to time. Haven't had one in years, but your post really got me going! Have a feeling I'll be stirring some up pretty soon. I should just bake a few and freeze the dough--just have a feeling I won't be able to stop at one or two!

Anonymous said...

Try using milk chocolate chips. I tried them at my daughter's recommendation and will not use the semi-sweet again!