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The Cookie Disaster


When I was a teenager I would make homemade cookies every Sunday for my family.  I would forgo the mixer and use my hands just to make sure I got the perfect texture.  I even made them for awhile when we first got married and then I stopped.  I don't really remember why.  I think it had something to do with love handles.  For whatever reason, I got out of the habit.  I tried a few times to make homemade again and they just didn't turn out like they used to.  Then I discovered the Betty Crocker bagged cookies.  I could get them on sale, they made the perfect sized batch and they tasted as good as homemade.  In fact, that is what my kids THINK homemade cookies are.  They have never known otherwise.  How sad is that?

Last night I got the really insane urge to make a great batch of homemade cookies.  I would impress my family and show my kids what REAL cookies were.  I asked Russell to get a can of shortening out of the basement while I got the other ingredients gathered.  I creamed my butter and sugar, doubled checked the other ingredients and made a really great batch of dough.  I got the first pan of cookies in the oven and started putting away the flour, the salt, the unopened can of shortening!  Wait a minute....if the can was unopened, I forgot to put it in.  I couldn't believe it.  I told Russell I was just continuing my bad cookie streak.  He started using his business training on me.  "You know why the cookies didn't turn out don't you?"  "Because I said I was a bad cookie maker, I know!  I decided I was going to fail before I even started!"  You see, Russell trains people at work to be successful and he is good at his job.  The kids and I can't get away with anything!  It used to be a little aggravating but I find a lot of wisdom in what he says.  I have learned that he is one smart cookie, no pun intended:).
Determined to prove that I am not a failure I set out to fix the cookies.  This is the first tray without the shortening.
I added the shortening and cooked another tray.  Not much different!
A little flat..no, a lot flat.  In fact, the only height they had was the chocolate chips.  I added some flour to what I thought would be the right consistency.  It was all coming back to me.  I put another tray in and forgot about them.  They looked better but were burned.
After a lot of trial and error and way too much time I finally pulled of a good tray of cookies.  I was elated! 
I know you are thinking I am pretty lame right about now.  How hard is it to make a great batch of homemade cookies?  Very difficult, apparently!  What was supposed to be a fun batch of homemade cookies turned into and all night project.  I may just stick with the bags!

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Comments

wylie said…
I'm impressed...I definitely would have given up after the first and second pan. BUT the last pan looks absolutely beautiful. BTW, I made a bag of Betty Crocker cookies today =) I agree, perfect sized batch and they go on sale so often!
February 1, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Ang said…
The recipe for chocolate chip cookies on the back of the Butter Flavor Crisco is the BEST. If you ever get the hankering again, try that one. You get extra points (extra EXTRA points) for perseverance.
February 2, 2009 at 7:16 AM
Kimberly said…
I feel better knowing that even the fabulous baker/cook, Jenny, hits a rough spot now and then.
February 2, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Patti said…
You get kudos for posting pictures of the bad cookies. Because I've become SO absent-minded lately, I'll put everything out on the counter before I start the recipe, and I put the item away as soon as I use it. That way, if there's anything still on the counter when I think I'm finished, I know I messed up. I sheepishly admit I don't know what you mean by a ABetty Crocker cookie. Is that cookie dough in a bag that you mix up and bake?
February 2, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Sarah said…
Yum! They're making me hungry! It is a little sad how our kids don't really understand how to make real cookies! We do try and do it every so often.
February 2, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Dena said…
Okay, Jen, that on really cracked me up!
February 5, 2009 at 7:42 AM
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