It’s incredible how just the right smell can stir up emotions, bring back memories, and make you think of a particular person or place. Every time I get a whiff of pine or freshly cut wood, I am reminded of my Dad. When he would come home from working outside he would smell of earth, trees and fresh air. I love that smell. It brings me comfort and I can almost feel the warmth of my Dad’s embrace. Likewise, when I enter a room to the scent of freshly baked cookies, I am a child again sitting at the kitchen table with my mother, talking about my day at school.
My mom made most of our food from scratch. We got homemade pizza pops, perogies, noodles, bread, buns and oodles of yummy goodness. I would bring my friends over and be so proud that my mom could make stuff that most of their parents had to buy. When I smell something baking in the oven it evokes a feeling of love and warmth that I associate with my mother and know that she poured into the food she made for us. That is what these cookies do for me, they soothe my worries and bring warmth to my heart.
These cookies are (as their name says) nice and crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. I made these ones with half semi-sweet chocolate and half white chocolate, but my favourite is definitely all semi-sweet. They are not a health cookie by any means, but I am a firm believer in moderation. A few of these once in a while are good for the soul and therefore good for me. :)
What smells bring you back to your childhood?
Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
adapted from Allrecipes
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 2/3 cup flour
- 3/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Mix in egg and vanilla until well incorporated.
- In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir into creamed mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop tablespoon sized pieces of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 min. until lightly browned. Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 min. before moving to wire wracks or paper towel to cool.
Makes (approx.): 2 dozen cookies
