Item #8

I wasn't going to post again until tomorrow, after my trip to Akron, but I'm so excited I just had to post this.

I am crossing off an item on my bucket list today! 1 down, 99 to go! lol...but I was excited.

#8 on my bucket list is to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookies. Today I think I accomplished that! I'm not a very good cookie baker. But I just used the recipe on the back of the Nestle choc. chip bag, and used a few tips from this website. I used a little more flour, less sugar, more vanilla, etc. And I think the trick was the butter. I actually used margarine, but I let it sit out for a few hours, and then microwaved it for a few seconds at a time. I stopped when I was able to make an indent with my finger by lightly pressing it. And I think that made all the difference in the world! The dough was even a different texture than normal: more firm. I think I have just been using the wrong consistency of butter/margarine all these years.

I also made sure I followed the recipe as closely as I could. I measured everything exactly and took my time. And just look how they turned out!I love it when they're still warm and the chocolate just oozes out when you take a bite :-)

Much better than my flat, sticky disaster from a few weeks ago!

I'm leaving for Akron at 4:30 with my mom today after a doctor appointment. I thought a few chocolate chip cookies would be a good thing for us to much on this weekend at Julie's place. And I'll leave half of them at home for poor Luke who will be left here to take care of the house, Gabby and Max. I'll only be gone for a mere 24 hours, but I'm still a little nervous that he'll forget to let Max out! (Shh, don't tell him I said that ;-))

Well I'm out...I have to finish packing, clean up my mess in the kitchen, and make it to my appointment by 3. Have a great weekend!