Making Cookies (and Memories)

You never know what kind of thing will make the  best day ever for kids.  Sometimes it is a ball of play dough and the toys or tools to go with it.  Sometimes it is a snuggle and a book.  And some days, it is a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  

There is nothing fancy about the recipe we used.  Just the one my own momma has been making since I was the baby.  But it turns out a really good cookie.  

After we assembled the ingredients, the kiddos decide who will have the job of stirring.  The other two become the ones who add the ingredients to the bowl as they are needed.  Baby Doll elected Little Man, as she had been the stirrer last time, and she wanted to be able to add stuff this time.  

Some measuring, pouring, and mixing later, and we have a nice batch of cookie dough.  Yum!  

As I do keep an eye on what we eat, we do use whole grain flour, butter instead of margarine, and farm fresh eggs.  

We had to set the dough aside for a while, as it was time for the awesomest spaghetti supper ever about the time we got it all mixed up.  But as soon as the munchkins were done eating and washed up, they were ready to get those cookies scooped out and in the oven.  They thought it was cool to scoop and roll the balls of dough.

Although the Super Baby did have some trouble with scooping and rolling, so he got some hand-over-hand assistance, and just scooped them right onto the cookie sheet.  

Pretty soon, we had a bag of (slightly over-baked) cookies.  But we were too busy playing with Lego's and brick blocks while they were baking to pay attention to the timer.  But, the best part is not necessarily the cookies.  It is the time that we got to spend together, doing something that I can remember doing with my mom and enjoying.  Something that lets us do something with and for each other.  And in the end, it's not the cookies that they will remember.  It's the time.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla 

2 eggs

2 c. flour

1 1/2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

Mix the butter and sugars.  Add the vanilla, soda, and eggs.  Mix well.  Add the flour 1 cup at a time, and mix well.  Mix in chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto un-greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes, or until desired doneness.  Let cool on the cookie sheet 5 minutes, remove to wire rack to finish cooling.  Store in airtight container.

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen