These Soul Soothing Cookies
May 29, 2008 | Filed under: "The Pot Licker", Fotografias, Whoopdie Doo
“You could do a lot of good in the world with cookies” - Moose In the Kitchen
Way back in March-ish my dear friend Moose had a horrendous break up with her boyfriend of five years. It was one of those things that might have been looming but to the rest of us, those who loved her and read her regularly well I can say that we were shocked. I distinctly remember my heart breaking for her because at the time, I couldn’t imagine what that could feel like. Of course now that I know what it feels like, we’ve been commiserating via email for several weeks because misery loves company. And I like to hear myself talk. The end.
Moose has the great fortune of living in San Francisco with the other ladies who freelance. A group of women that I envy and am in awe of because of their talent and the way they can put a few words together to make an actual sentence whereas I just look at a blank Word document and get diarrhea of the brain. Everything comes out in nonsensical bullshit and what could be said in one sentence gets said in a rambly paragraph full of digressions. Case in point: READ ABOVE. Anyway she is one of those people that I genuinely like and enjoy. If you ask she will tell you all about that time she cried in the Chicago Children’s Museum and while Chris Jordan sat and did some motherly comforting for her, I just stood there all opened mouthed and said “Um OK. I’m gonna go now.” I totally score on being the understanding friend.
Anyway because I love and because she is such a nice and lovely person I did what anyone would do from 3,000 miles away; I offered to bake cookies. Then I gave myself a hearty pat on the back for being the good friend who bakes and overnights cookies from the other coast. Then little brown sugar fairies danced in my head as the possibilities were endless.
That was in March. March was like two months ago. And in that two month period I myself suffered the break up from Hell and because I generally get distracted by shiny things I kind of put my cookie baking to the wayside. For the record I am also that friend that will say “OH YEAH! I will totally do that random thing for you” and then when push comes to shove I’m that friend who you’d like to kick in the shins because I’m full of good intentions and zero action.
Several weeks ago I had the great pleasure of sitting across from Deb of Smitten Kitchen fame and I remembered that I had to bake cookies and since she was sitting right across from her I made nice conversation and then interrogated her on some cookie recipes. She in turn sent me the loveliest email full of cookies for me to bake and I had to purchase a new laptop because of all the damn drooling. (Note to self: Invest in a bib. Also an apron).
The recipe that caught my eye though was for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. Here is how I feel about the commingling of peanut butter and chocolate: It is like an orgasm for your taste buds. In fact after consuming the two put together in perfect harmony, your tongue hangs out of your mouth for a bit – inadvertently of course – searching around your lips and if your tongue is as long as mine, down to your chin trying to grab those last few drops. For surely there must be more and your tongue is programmed to search and destroy. And do not think for one instant that I’ve never taken a spoonful of Skippy, sprinkled chocolate chips on top and called it dessert for my ever refined palate.
I clearly remember Deb saying that these cookies were addictive and perhaps I should put them in the far recesses of my kitchen. I just nodded and said sure then baked one batch for my family with my seven year old cousin. Now my family does not see me as the baking type. They see me as the woman who would like things delivered to her doorstep and ‘from scratch’ is some foreign lexicon. ‘Hostess’ is a word I am familiar with. Well imagine the surprise and broad smile that came across my incredulous and curmudgeonly, Republican uncle’s face when he put my cookies to his lips. In fact he asked for seconds just to make sure they were there and were for real. My Aunt Rachel ate four and my no carbohydrate eating mother kept eyeing them in hopes that maybe they were carbohydrate-less and calorie free and possibly made of air.
With the first batch a success I then made a second batch for Moose’s Mouth ONLY. She received them yesterday and had to shove two cookies in her mouth so she could type an email to me as to their deliciousness. Then told me that I was awesome. Well, duh.
I made the cookies out of love and because it was the only thing I could do for her. And since I’ve been going through what I’ve been going through people have been offering (and I’ve been declining) baked goods because nothing makes another feel better like a fresh pie or a pan of brownies. Really it’s the thought that goes beyond words and says that there are friends out there, amazing people who want nothing more than for you to feel better and normal again. So they put out what effort they can to make something and do something that really can mean more than words. Which leads me to yesterday’s post and all the posts of sadness and agony before; the words do mean more than you can ever know and if you really want to send me something, package up some French fries and a giant bottle of wine and call it a day. Or you can be straight up Canadian and send me a box of Smarties and declare your undying love for me. Either way, I’m easy.
Peanut Butter Soul Soothing Chocolate Chip Cookies (yields 36)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter at room temperature (smooth is what we used, but I am pretty sure they use chunky at the bakery)
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (for sprinkling) sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Add the milk and the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in the peanut butter chips. Place sprinkling sugar on a plate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls into the sugar, then onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Using a fork, lightly indent with a crissscross pattern, but do not overly flatten cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake. Cookies may appear to be underdone, but they are not.
Cool the cookies on the sheets for 1 minute, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
Angella says:
I am TOTALLY MAKING THOSE COOKIES.
Did Moose tell you I sent her some Canadian candy out of love too?
We are going to have one big love-fest in July. Platonically, of course.
Dagny says:
I am quite impressed that you are cooking once more. Will you be bringing cookies with you in July?
Camels & Chocolate says:
Awww, you are such a nice friend! Lucky Moose. And she’s totally the type of person that would do the same for another.
Also…
“…whereas I just look at a blank Word document and get diahrrea of the brain…”
You have GOT to be kidding me. You are one of the funniest writers I “know”/read (and have you ever thought that perhaps your wit intimidates others because you’re just that damn good?). If, in fact, what you say is true, then perhaps you should write all of your stories in a Blog template and forgo using Word altogether
Wickedly Scarlett says:
Oh man, those look like those would be at least a temporary cure to any kind of heartache! I’m definitely stashing those away for future use.
Moose says:
You are the best. Hands down. I think I mentioned that. But it bears repeating. I’m just glad I didn’t scare you off with my ill-timed BlogHer Stress Crying Jag.
(I was shocked too. Though I probably shouldn’t have been. Do I win for two most frightening sentences ever?)
You are a lovely writer and a damn fine cook. So there.
slynnro says:
Hey! I told you about that completely ridiculous fight Aaron and I had. Where are my cookies!
Gee, I’m full of mean today.
I love Heather. There, I said it. I do.
helenjane says:
A new craving I didn’t know I even had.
I’m lucky to know you, gorgeous.
Damn lucky.
sweetney says:
how many points in those babies? (gulp)
Rhi says:
I never get to that part where you cool the cookies.
Also, I think I may try these with Hollow Squirrel’s technique of putting them in a bowl and pouring milk over them.
180/360 says:
Those cookies look SOOOOOO good!
Torrie says:
You should come over and we can bake and watch some stupid girl movies.
Also, I am totally the same way- I have really good intentions, but I rarely follow through.
sizzle says:
I have been wanting to bake those cookies since I saw the recipe on Smitten Kitchen. Now with your praise, I can’t resist. Besides, I completely concur on the chocolate/peanut butter combo taste orgasm thing. LOVE! But I would confess that I probably couldn’t stop at one spoonful of pb sprinkled with chocolate chips.
Baking something for someone is true love. That’s a fact.
punchlinewalking says:
I may need a new computer myself, what with all the drooling I’m doing over those cookies!!
ali says:
who wants to bake me cookies??
i need some. now.
Nic says:
So I have to calculate the WW points for an entire batch now. I’m not going through a break up, but I am going through a time where I would like to slam my head into the wall and these will totally help!
Nic says:
Okay, the total WW points for the recipe is roughly 132, so it’s probably not wise to eat the whole thing.
Momo Fali says:
I would send you a pie, but more than likely by the time I shipped it, it would only be a shell. I have no self control. I can’t make those cookies. I won’t. Okay…maybe.
Kirsten says:
OMG you so totally have me craving Canadian candy now…. *cries*
Whoever sends you Smarties will have my heart if they send some my way too!
anne says:
Seriouly why are smarties so good? And why are they not sold this side of the border? I mean it is justthisclose to us, c’mon Canadians.
fairydogmother says:
Coffee Crisp and Smarties? What wonderful friends you have! It is taking every ounce of will power I have not to get in my car and drive 3 hours to Vancouver to buy some RIGHT NOW.
I think I am going to have to make those cookies tonight instead!
Laurie says:
Actually I just finished baking cookies for a woman’s luncheon for tomorrow. Great blog. Glad you are speaking at the blog convention. Your writing is excellent.