Friday, January 16, 2015

Ultimate High Altitude Chocolate Chip Cookies


If you are a regular follower of my blog, you know that I am always searching for good high altitude recipes, since we live in Colorado Springs, at almost 7000 feet. At one time, I thought I had found the best chocolate chip cookie recipe for our altitude, but then I found that sometimes it worked, and sometimes, well, it just didn't, and I had flat cookies again. So my search continued. So, I went online to find yet another high altitude recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and when I found this one, I read the reviews, and several of those who reviewed this recipe were actually from Colorado Springs, so I thought, it's worth a try. Since I had a little spare time today before finishing my orders for tomorrow, I gave it a try, and I was very pleased with the results... crispy on the outside, and chewy on the inside, and they actually looked nice. For those of you who may like a chocolate chip cookie with more of a "cakey" texture, this is not that, but more of your traditional "Tollhouse type" texture. As I was reviewing the recipe, I noticed a couple of things that were unique. First, instead of 1 or 2 eggs, this recipe calls for 3, and it also calls for a bit more flour than your average recipe. I liked the idea that it did not call for any extra ingredients like cornstarch or pudding mix. This recipe also includes equal amounts of butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Any cookie recipe I make HAS to have ALL butter, no margarine or shortening. I just think it makes a difference in the taste. I also sprinkle the tops with just a bit of sea salt before baking to enhance the flavor. My conclusion... I think this may be my "go to" recipe when I need a good chocolate chip recipe for my cookie orders. 


Ultimate High Altitude Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chocolate chips
Opt.: nuts, sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In large bowl, mix together butter and sugars until smooth. Mix in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into batter just until blended, and then add in chocolate chips. Drop cookies by spoonfuls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Bake in preheated oven just until edges begin to turn golden, about 12 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Allow cookies to cool for a few minutes on baking sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies. 

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Happy 2015! What happened to 2014?

Sorry it's been so long since my last post, but these last few months have been absolutely crazy. My hubby and I both came back from an Arizona Thanksgiving being sick with this icky respiratory stuff, and are just now feeling better. So we worked through my busiest catering/cake/cookie December ever, being less than our normal selves and with my catering partner out of town. It was difficult, but somehow we made it through. Still trying to catch up on my rest. Whew! 

Every little girl is still into Frozen. I started off the season back in November with another Frozen cake. I love making Olaf... each one has a little different pose, but he's a cute character to design for a cake. Used more isomalt for detail. Oh, did I mention how much I love isomalt? I got creative on some of my wedding cakes with isomalt too, which I will show you a bit later. Love the stuff! 


Here's a couple of other birthday cakes I made in November...


Then came the crazy December...

Started off with cookies, lots and lots of cookies... 50 dozen for a PTA function for my grand-daughters' school. I always learn the hard way... will not do that again. Too many cookies for my smaller than commercial kitchen. 


And more cookies...




And cinnamon rolls...


And then the annual goodies for the friend and neighbors...

Chocolate covered Ritz peanut butter cookies, chocolate covered brownie bites, and toffee
All packaged and ready for delivery

This is something new I tried... chocolate covered bacon for my bacon loving friend...

It was actually very, very yummy!

At the end of November, I purchased some really fun new decorating tools... anything to make my work easier and a little more fun and creative... and used some of my old tools in a different way. That will be the subject of my next post, but these are some of the finished products...

Cake for my granddaughter's piano recital (which I had to miss by the way because of a catering job :( )


3 wintry wedding cakes, to go along with wedding catering gigs... I really enjoy decorating winter wedding cakes.




Last, but not least... a cute little gender reveal cake... by the way, it was blue inside...


We ended the month with a catering gig for 100 on New Year's Eve afternoon. And no, we didn't celebrate much that night. Just glad to be home on our cozy little couch, watching Back to the Future II to see what 2015 was supposed to be like! Happy New Year!