There used to be a time when I did not see the point of making homemade cookies. Why bother with all the trouble when you can get refrigerated cookie dough? What could be easier than snipping open the package, slicing some dough and then baking them? Why would I want to go through the hassle of dirtying up a bunch of dishes just to make cookies? Typically, back then, a container of sugar or flour would last me more than 6 months. I moved the same container of table salt and the same box of baking powder to two different apartments after my annual leases were up. Cookies were all about the dough to me anyway. If I was craving some cookie dough, I would just go pick up a tube of Toll house and call it good.
Back then can also be known as pre-marital bliss. Something happened to me when I got married. Not right away, but shortly after. I began to observe what would happen when my mother-in-law would visit. She never came to our house without a bucket of homemade baked goods…cookies, bread, bars, etc. She would hand over the goods to my hubby as soon as she walked in the door and a smile would cross his face as he searched through it to see what treats were in store for him. I’d watch in wonder as he would light up…pulling out this and that. After observing this ritual time after time it finally hit me. To my husband, baked goods equaled love. That seems very simple. He equates the bucket of goodies from his mom with the love she has for him. She loves him so she bakes for him. This was a new concept to me, but one that I knew I could handle. I was going to become a domestic goddess and my husband was going to love me for it.
It only took one or two homemade cookie making attempts before my husband saw where this was all heading. One day, he came home from work with a present…. a brand new Kitchenaid Mixer. I remember him telling me, “If you are going to play the part of a baker, you have to at least look the part.” With an excited hug and a kiss, I set out to make some cookies. I wanted these cookies to be filled with love, so I called his mom up to get the recipe for his favorite cookies…Chocolate Star Cookies. I was a little nervous about stepping over the special mom/son boundaries to get this recipe from her, but when I spoke to her she gave the Chocolate Star Cookie recipe easily and seemed happy at the thought that her son was finally being properly taken care of.
Many, many, many years later love and cookies fill our home. I bake several times a week and as they say… “You’ve come a long way, baby.” I love the hugs and kisses and special thanks I get when I bake something for someone I love. It may be self-gratifying, but it feels good to be able to share the love that comes from homemade goodness with others.
Chocolate Star Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Crisco
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 48 brach chocolate stars also known as chocolate rosettes or chocolate buds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together Crisco, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, water and vanilla until well mixed.
- Add the flour, baking soda & salt to the mixing bowl and mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes or until light brown.
- As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, place a chocolate star on the top of each cookie.
These look so good! I wish I wasn’t back to counting points…
Kristin you have experienced it and said it just perfectly! The loving mom is only too happy to give a daughter(-in-law) such a recipe, you see it layers and doubles the love!
Great cookies.
Kriten, yes, that is an unbeatable feeling – getting the hugs, love and affection after you have baked something special. There truly is a satisfaction compared to nothing else I know. I love these cookies. I’m gonna see if I get any hugs for these!!
Delicious stuff indeed.Gourmet Chocolate at http://www.gourmet-chocolates.org
I have little tears in my eyes. I hadn’t realised it but I bake to light up people I love, thank you – what a revelation 🙂 Cookies look wonderful btw!
I think whats getting me about baking and creating something sweet is the smell. The smell just allows memories to linger in the perfumed air, so you see the ghosts of your family in the kitchen.
Last week, my dad passed down the family KitchenAid to me. I felt like I was taking away a child, I still do. So what can I do but bake with it?
Love and love handles too, unfortunately!;D
They look great,got to get my kids baking this summer.
If I said that I baked (and cooked) just for others to enjoy eating, I would be lying. There is definitely a satisfaction that comes with seeing loved one’s eyes light up. Not only do I get to show them my love, but I get so much back in return!!
That is such an awesome story of how you started baking. We really do spoil these men don’t we?
Those are just the perfect cookies.
both your story and the cookies are lovely. =)
Kristen, what a beautiful, beautiful story! Thank you for sharing such great memories with us. I’m sure your mother-in-law is very proud of you.
These cookies look delicious!
These cookies look so delicious. Your hubby is such a sweetie with the mixer surprise!
Yum! These look great! Pre-marital bliss makes me laugh. Ha!
Okay… I’m ready for the strawberry salmon recipe you mentioned some time ago… 🙂
Nick’s love language is SWEETS. The same as Griffin’s. When he needs his love cup filled, nothing works better than a bowl of ice cream, a few cookies with a glass of cold milk or a piece of cake. Sweets=love. I get that.
What a lovely story, Kristen. My best baking has been done with lots of love. Your husband sounds like a very thoughtful and supportive partner.
Homemade is the only way to go…with the exception of Oreos.
Baking = Loving!!! Can’t agree no more!!!
If I am not mistaken, some company created the slogan, "nothing says lovin’like somethin’ from the oven." Who was that, anyway?
Great recipe – and what a great story of how love can be shown in simple but meaningful ways.
Thanks for sharing the story and recipe!
That is the best feeling- the feeling of love that you can give back. And what a wonderful gift- something you can utilize to show your appreciation and love for your husband! 🙂 Beautiful post!
What a heart-warming story this is, Kristen. I love that food functions as a symbol of our affection for others.
Oh. My. Word!!!!!! Those look delish! Gotta try them. I loved chocolate!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’d loved my visit here and will be back for sure.
Kat
Baking really is a natural high. Love in a cookie is something everyone understands. These cookies look very yummy!
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