stay warm, bake cookies!

hope everyone is staying warm out there! here in minnesota it has been extra chilly with temps in the double digit negatives and even the public schools have been cancelled for two days in a row, a very rare thing here in minnesota. these bitter cold days can be a little dreary, but, there are lots of good things about them too-  your coziest wool sweater is extra warm, tea sounds good all day long, and the sun is extra shiny (see, all about perspective!). in the midst of the coldness i was thinking to think of fun things to do indoors like, building a fire, watching netflex, and my favorite.... baking! yes. baking is a great and fun thing to do when you have nothing else better to do then to be indoors (though i have to say i love it in every season). i am known for my cookies. just ask any of our friends and they will tell you that at the kirsebom house, there are always cookies.  and because i feel that cookies make every occasion a little better what better day to share this recipe with my friends. this way if anyone needs a little encouragement on these bitter january days, you can bake the best chocolate chip cookies around! this recipe was adapted from chad's grandma dorothy. dorothy is the cutest 91 year old lady i know, and was an extremely active cook in her younger years.  i hope to follow after her legacy!

grandma dot's chocolate chip cookies

3 cups flower
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick of butter, plus a little extra (like a tablespoon or two more)
2/3 cup vegetable shorting
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
as many chocolate chips as you would like, my favorite are the ghiradelli 60% cocoa

1. preheat oven to 350
2. in a large bowl, mix flower, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar. put off to the side
3. in a large bowl or kitchen aid mixing bowl, mix sugar, brown sugar, butter, and shorting. beat until creamy about two minutes. add vanilla. then add eggs one at a time until batter is smooth.
4. slowly incorporate the flour mixture. adding a little at a time until the batter is smooth. do not over mix!
5. by hand, add in the chocolate chips. drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

enjoy!

ps. i also updated the recipes feature on my blog (right side, blue button) if you would like to take a look, or click HERE