The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

I hate baking. I have for a long time. However, I enjoy eating baked goods and not paying store prices. So, I bake.

My Chocolate Chip Cookies never come out great. They are edible and yummy, but not perfect. They are either too crunchy or out right hard.

That is until The Girls Guide to Guns and Butter, a friend, and pinterest saved my cookies.

The Girls Guide to Guns and Butter told me to not pack my brown sugar. I gave it a try and the cookies were better, but something more needed to be done. I knew, from a friend, that crisco makes the best shaped cookies, but not everyone likes the taste. Then while strolling through pinterest I found this: The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie.

I used the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip package but, I didn't pack the brown sugar and I used 1/2 cup Crisco and 1/2 cup butter, then baked them to perfection!

Of course, the best way to make cookies is with help.

For lumpy cookie spoon on to the cookie sheet.

 

For perfectly round cookies roll into a ball.

How about you? Do you have any cookie tricks?

Trail Mix Cookies

Cookies are a big thing around here, mostly because once a batch is made, it's gone in a matter of hours. The other day my Dad came home with store bought cookies and said to me (the baker of the cookies) "These cookies are great, can you make cookies like this?" To which I replied, "You don't like my cookies?" He said, "I like your cookies, but these ones are soft and chewy, can you make yours like this?" And so the quest began to find the perfect oatmeal cookie for Dad.

Mom kept telling me, "I have an oatmeal cookie recipe that I think will work." But, being stubborn I sought out one of my own, and failed. Twice. Today I actually listened and had success!

I made them big like the men like (I like to eat lots of cookies not just one giant cookie) and filled them with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, cranberries, raisins, and finely chopped almonds. They are soft, sweet, and perfect.

Trail Mix Cookies (bake at 350deg)

3 Cup Brown Sugar (not packed)
1 Cup Shortening (Butter will make them flatter)
1.5 tsp Cinnamon
3 Eggs
1.5 tsp baking powder
6 Tbs hot water
1.5tsp baking soda
2 Cup white flour
2 Cup whole wheat flour
3 Cup Oatmeal
2 Cup Trail Mix

1.Cream shortening & sugar
2. Add eggs, then cinnamon and baking powder
3. Dissolve soda in water and add
4.Mix flours, oatmeal, and trail mix together in a separate bowl
5. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture (dough will be thick)
6. Form into balls (about the size of a large meatball) and then squish flat (I could fit about 6 on a cookie sheet).
7. Bake for 13-15 minute or until top is slightly browned and edges are brown. It should be slightly firm to the touch