The following “CHEW THIS!” column originally appeared a in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News” as well as other publications. Check their websites for further information or write to me for more details as to where this can be viewed.
Uglies But Goodies
This recipe originated from a children’s cookbook that my Grandma had bought at one my school’s “book fairs” that they would have around Grandparent’s Day at the Elementary School. I figured that was timed right. Bring all of the Grandmother’s in to spoil their little grandchildren by buying lots and lots of books. Marketing genius! Still to this day, I love going to a book fair! I literally went to one last week and it was such a blast! When I was younger, I considered being a teacher just for the aspect of throwing and attending book fairs! Ha! Yes, true story. Anyways, I guess we can all breathe a sigh of relief I did not go into the teaching field just for that. Anyways, this recipe was called something like “Ugliest Cookies Ever” or something like that, so naturally we had to make them. I remember them being delicious and yes, ugly.
Skip ahead a number of years and I was reading a Facebook thread about that old cookbook and about those very cookies. Nobody could seem to remember the title of the book, nor what the recipe specially called for unfortunately. From that day forward, I made it a mission to re-create, to the best of my abilities, that exact cookie. Well, here it is! And just in time for your Christmas cookie exchanges. The reason this cookie is ugly, as you can see in the picture, is because the cookie itself flattens out in the oven to be pretty thin. The chocolate chips do not really melt much and are just, there, sitting on top of this beige colored cookie. They are uglies, but goodies!
Uglies But Goodies
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup white granuated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons white all-purpose flour
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl combine the melted unsalted butter with the white granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar.
Beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract.
Stir in the salt and baking soda.
Fold in the white all-purpose flour.
Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Place into the freezer for 15 minutes.
Remove and roll dough into tablespoon size balls. Place, two inches apart, onto the prepared baking sheets.
Bake, one sheet at a time, in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Once baked, remove from oven and immediately place baking sheet in freezer for 10 minutes.
Remove, remove cookies and enjoy.
Ask and Answer: Share with me some of your food related New Year’s traditions and I will share some here in my column!