Our youngest daughter’s first word was “cookie.” This Grandma is convinced it was due to GG (her grandmother) caring for her regularly while I finished graduate school and worked. What grandma does not love giving cookies to grandchildren!
December 4 is National Cookie Day and The New York Times on line concentrates on cookies and gives us a back story, history of cookies and many recipes to share with our grandchildren:
“BACK STORY”
“The gingerbread men are on the march this time of year. It’s also National Cookie Day, created in 1987 by the Blue Chip Cookie Company. . . .”
“The Persians are believed to have been the first to savor cookie-style cakes. They benefited from access to a crucial ingredient: sugar from the East Indies. The spice trade and Muslim migration helped bring the treats to Spain and the rest of Europe.”
“The word cookie probably comes from the Dutch koekje, “small cake.” Dutch immigrants were among the first to bring cookies to the U.S., in the 17th century.”
“One of the most famous American recipes was created by Ruth Wakefield, who owned the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Mass. She started out assuming that pieces of chocolate added to a butter-cookie batter would melt and result in chocolate cookies. But the bits kept their shape, and, presto, the chocolate chip cookie was born.”
The New York Times gave a link to 21 cookie recipes. Enjoy!
This Grandma’s favorite chocolate chip cookie is from Neiman Marcus. Looking for the recipe on line to share led to the Neiman Marcus Back Story on its chocolate chip cookie recipe which is also fascinating.
“THE NEIMAN MARCUS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE”
“An urban myth is a modern folk tale, its origins unknown, its believability enhanced simply by the frequency with which it is repeated. Our signature chocolate chip cookie is the subject of one such myth. If you haven’t heard the story, we’ll put an end to it here. If you have, the recipe below should serve to refute it. Copy it, print it, or pass it along to friends and family. It’s a terrific recipe. And it’s absolutely free.”
“The $250 Cookie Recipe”
“A woman and her daughter had just finished a salad at Neiman-Marcus Cafe in Dallas and decided to have a small dessert. Because her family was had such a love for cookies they decided to try the “Neiman-Marcus Cookie.” It was so excellent that the customer asked if NM would share the recipe, and the waitress said with a small frown, “I’m afraid not.” The customer then asked if she could buy the recipe. With a cute smile, the waitress replied, “yes” and said the recipe would cost “two fifty.” The customer requested that it be added to her tab.”
“Thirty days later, the customer received her credit card statement from Neiman-Marcus and it was $285.00. She had only spent $9.95 for two salads and about $20.00 for a scarf, but noticed that at the bottom of the statement, it said, “Cookie Recipe – $250.00.” The customer was upset and called Neiman’s Accounting Department stating that the waitress said the recipe was “two fifty,” and not $250.00. She asked them to take back the recipe and reduce the bill. The Accounting Department said they were sorry for the inconvenience but that the customer’s bill would remain as charged because they wanted the recipe to be something that was special and not afforded by all.”
“The woman decided to share the cookie recipe with the world so that no one would ever have to pay $250.00.”
Here is the Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe:
Yields about 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients: ½ cup (one stick) butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 _ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 ½ teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the work bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla for 30 seconds longer, until well combined.
In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the mixer, while beating on slow speed., Beat for about 15 seconds, stir in the chocolate chips and espresso powder, and mix for 15 seconds longer.
Prepare a cookie sheet with about 2 tablespoons of shortening (or use a non-stick spray). Using a 1-ounce scoop, or using a 2 tablespoon measure, drop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet in dollops about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into 2-inch circles; there should be room on the sheet of six or eight cookies at a time. Transfer to the oven in batches and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cookies are nicely browned around the edges. Bake for a little longer for crispier cookies.
This Grandma’s wish for all grandmas everywhere is that their grandchild’s first word is c
cookie for those delicious cookies given by grandma to grandchild with
Joy,
Mema
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