I really wanted some cookies...

I was watching whichever USA Original Series is on Monday nights, when all of the sudden it hit me. I really wanted some cookies. I really like to cook and bake, but nothing in my current recipe collection appealed to me at the moment and I did not want to make a big batch. I spent some time trying to find a recipe online. Nothing sounded good. So, I decided to take a chance and try to whip something up without a recipe. Anyone who has any baking experience knows that this was a risky move. I was up for the challenge.

I got out my mixing bowl and starting adding "typical cookie ingredients" until it looked about the right consistency. I did not measure anything ,which was a mistake.

Ingredients:
Self Rising Flour
Baking Soda
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Oil
Egg
Vanilla
Chai Tea Concentrate (Yes I did!)
Oatmeal
White Chocolate Chips

I am pretty sure that was everything.

So, I put one pan in the oven on 350 while I washed dishes (what I typically do while cookies bake). When they looked done, I put them on paper plates to cool (my mothers trick, my aunt uses a cutting board). I tried one and the flavor was there but they were thin, crispy, and a little overcooked. Let me tell you, I am soooo over crunchy cookies, I want soft cookies. I reexamined my batter and noticed it could be a little thin, so I added some more self rising flour and put another pan in the oven.

I did not let this batch cook as long. Again, when they looked done I put them on paper plates to cool. I tried one right away and it was soooo soft and yummy. I let them cool a bit and ate another still soft, amazingly yummy cookie.

Still being a skeptic, the next morning I had a cookie for breakfast to make sure they were still soft and delicious before I took them to work to see if they passed the all important coworker test. They were still just as good and did, in fact, pass my coworkers approval.

So, I might have a new favorite cookie, if only I can figure out how to make it again! I plan to try in the near future and actually write down the measurments this time!

Lessons Learned from Cookie Recipe Invention:

- WRITE DOWN THE MEASUREMENTS
- Set a timer, even if you are standing at the sink doing dishes.
- Bake one cookie first, not a whole pan, to see how it turns out. Add ingredients as needed to adjust and     bake another cookie. Repeat process until cookie perfection is achieved.
 - Be creative, because you never know what might make the perfect cookie.

This experience is what finally pushed me over the edge to start a blog (that and the request of my detail loving bff Amber), so this is my first post.

Introduction post to come.

Happy Baking!

-Shannon