Annual Cookie Party Part 3

Ok I swear there will only be one more part after this one. I know, I know-- how hard can chocolate chip cookies be, for pete's sake. Well as you might come to know I'm a bit of a perfectionist so therefore I give up way too easily and most of the time don't even try because, to me, I will fail. So this is why I'm here-- now I WILL perfect the chocolate chip cookie or they will just be alright and I WILL be ok with that too!

I am re-reading this and realizing how ridiculous this is, HELLO they are just cookies and will be gone in maybe 20 seconds-ok growth, now I will move on!

Annual Cookie Party Part 2

Well two batches of cookies are done, however I will not be taking them to the party. Which is unfortunate because they will be going directly to my thighs (I might save some for my daughter). As always they are good enough for me but not to give out. Somehow when I bake for guest or a party I freeze up and something always goes wrong. Could it be I'm looking for ultimate perfection as usual? Anyway batch #3 will be going, I don't care if they are all black and burnt!

Batch #1, the cookies did not spread right when baked so I bought new baking soda. Batch #2, I used a white whole wheat flour which tasted fine, but they did have more of an earthy flavor. I will definitely be using that flour again for my family, but for a special occasion I will stick with the "bad for you" refined bleached flour.

So what I did was use the Toll House recipe with my hot pink mixer and added the zest of two oranges (no pith) in with the eggs. Previously, I added the zest with the sugar but it stayed in a clump so I find when you add it with the eggs it distributes much better. The house has such a lovely scent for two days after you've baked them.

Level: Easy

• Prep: 15 min
• Cooking: 9 min
• Cooling time: 15 min cooling
• Yields: 60

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet
  Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

conversion calculator

PREHEAT oven to 375° F. COMBINE flour, baking soda and
salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar
and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs,
one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat
in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded
tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. BAKE for 9 to 11
minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2
minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Annual Cookie Party Part 1

This year I will be attending my cousin's annual cookie party and I need to bring 10 dozen, yes 120 HOMEBAKED cookies. I, however, have a 5 year old and a 9 month old plus live 2 hours from my cousin, so in considering my cookie choice I thought what is the easiest, yummiest cookie I can come up with?

My favorite cookie (probably favorite dessert) of all time is just a simple old chocolate chip with nuts and the best recipe I have found is the Toll House recipe. To pep it up a bit for the party I will add some orange zest and probably eliminate the nuts just in case of nut allergies and it is more cost effective because of the quantity of cookies. I just think chocolate and orange make a great combination.

Top chocolate & orange finds so far:

1. Newman's Own Organics Orange Chocolate Chip Cookie
2. Pepperidge Farm Orange Milano
3. Lindt Bar Intense Orange Dark Chocolate

Anyway, I will be making the dough (with my hot pink mixer) ahead of time and freezing in logs so I can just slice and bake when the time comes. Let the baking begin!!