You may recognize my daughter, Julia. She helped me bake this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe - Chunky Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Chocolate Chipsters. I know - that's quite a mouthful. And so is the cookie. We have Stefany of Proceed With Caution to thank for this selection, so before I forget - Stefany? Thank you!
The cookies went together quickly and easily. In fact, Bill took Alex to the park to go bike riding and while they were gone, Julia and I mixed everything and baked four dozen cookies. I finished the rest on my own - Julia wanted to play whiffle ball with Daddy instead.
But I digress.
I measured everything out first, and then Julia joined me for the mixing. In case you're checking up on me, I didn't have light brown sugar, so I used dark brown. And I added a bunch of raisins because Dorie mentioned it and it sounded like a good idea to me.
While I combined fats and sugars, Julia whisked together the dry ingredients.
We paused a moment so Julia could make silly faces and I could take pictures of them.
Okay, now that we've gotten that out of our systems, we can continue.
After adding eggs and vanilla to the fats and sugars, it was time to stir in the dry ingredients.
Simple enough, and then it was time to mix in the chocolate chips and raisins - what was left after Julia ran her quality control tests.
A quick spin and that was that. Time to bake.
Well okay, first things first.
And then into the oven.
While the first batch was baking, Julia wanted to take the pictures while I scooped up cookie dough. Fair's fair, so I handed over my camera and prayed she would be kind.
As you can see, I've got the speed of a cookie-baking Ninja.
Okay, this is better. Look at that technique. Why Bobby Flay hasn't challenged me to a throwdown by now is a mystery, isn't it.
Okay. Back on topic.
I baked my cookies for 13 minutes, let them cool a minute or so,
and then moved them to a rack to cool.
Once they'd cooled a bit, and another batch had gone into the oven to bake, it was time for pictures. I picked out a little plate and matching mug for my planned milk-and-cookies photo, placed a few cookies on the plate, and set the plate on the counter while I went to get milk from the fridge.
I turned back to the counter just in time to see Julia's fingers curl around the topmost cookie on my plate. Unfortunately I wasn't holding the camera at the time, so I wasn't able to capture that magical moment. I hollered "STOP!" and she froze, cookie in hand. I told her I needed that cookie for the pictures, and she could eat it when I was done. She put the cookie back on top of the others and waited patiently while I played.
Hang on, Julia, I'm almost finished.
Okay, they're yours now, Julia.
Thanks Dorie! Great recipe!
If you'd like the recipe, you can find it over at Stefany's site, or you can find it on page 73 of Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From My Home to Yours.
If you'd like to see a lot more versions of this cookie, you can find links to all the TWD bakers here.
If you'd Julia to share her cookies with you, dream on.
What a great job and fun post! You have much more patience than me - maybe when my boys are a bit older it will get a little easier to have them in the kitchen with me. Your cookies all look marvelous!
Posted by: Holly @ PheMOMenon | September 02, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Aw, I tried to get my boyfriend to help me make these cookies, but he wanted to go outside and play instead. The milk and cookie shots are just delicious.
Posted by: rainbowbrown | September 02, 2008 at 01:15 AM
That pretty little girl ain't never going to starve is she! LOL
It is so good to see her learning to cook so young. Over here in the UK so many kids never get to cook, they've stopped it in schools and too many mums go to work and rely on quick stuff with very little preparation. I learnt to cook early with my own mum, and was cooking proper meals for the family by the age of 10, and it has stayed with me all my life. You have to feel sorry for the young ones who will never have that fun.
And I am SO IMPRESSED that you remember to put an apron on. Mine is on a hook inside the kitchen door, within easy reach. However... I still spend much of my life with flour down my front... ho hum!
Posted by: Lynne | September 02, 2008 at 03:37 AM
Very nice blog about your Chipsters!! And your daughter looks absolutely adorable!
My post will be up later tonight, I have to squeeze blogging into my schedule today as I'm at work at the moment and have a birthday tonight.
Posted by: Marthe | September 02, 2008 at 04:08 AM
I loved reading this post. Cooking with kids is so much fun! You've inspired me to take more pics of my little helper. Great job!
Posted by: Cristine | September 02, 2008 at 05:26 AM
i love the photos with julia, of course....and the one with the half-eaten cookie perched on the edge of the mug of milk? amazing. i see my breakfast.
Posted by: Lori | September 02, 2008 at 08:30 AM
I thought the dough was fabulous.
Your girl is just so cute.
Posted by: chocolatechic | September 02, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Nice job, Julia! =) I generally love raisins in cookies, so I'll have to try that next time.
Posted by: Di | September 02, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Must have been nice to have a sous chef for this recipe! Great job!
Posted by: Sarah | September 02, 2008 at 11:45 AM
great post! julia is getting to be such a good baker! :) lovely pics and milk mustache :)
Posted by: kim | September 02, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Fabulous pictures! Your daughter is super adorable and those cookies look wonderful!
Posted by: April B | September 02, 2008 at 12:18 PM
awww, I love your pictures! So cute. Nice post and lovely looking cookies!
Posted by: nickki | September 02, 2008 at 04:32 PM
If you ever decide to sell that child, please let me have first dibs.
Great lookin' cookies as well - and NICE FP. So jealous!
Posted by: Susan | September 02, 2008 at 05:22 PM
I can't think of anything better than making cookies with a little helper. Your cookies look wonderful and your company looks even better.
Posted by: Prudy | September 02, 2008 at 10:10 PM
You have a great helper! Your cookies look so good!
Posted by: Heather B | September 02, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Great post. It reminds me of cooking with my girls when they were little (well, without your gorgeous photography). They're in their 20's now and both are fabulous cooks. In fact my younger daughter is who let me know about TWD.
Posted by: Nancy | September 03, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Awww what a sweet kitchen helper you have, she is just adorable! I have a 3 year old mini kitchenista helper as well! Your cookies look great, and your post had me laughing, watch out Bobby Flay, Cookie Ninja Kitchen Witch is ready!
Posted by: Andrea | September 03, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Cutest. Post. Ever.
Posted by: Teanna | September 03, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Beautiful photos, delicious looking cookies, but the star has to be your daughter- she's gorgeous! It looks like you guys had a great time, too. :)
Posted by: Anne | September 03, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Your photos are bee-you-tea-ful :) :)
Have a delicious day!
Posted by: Em | September 03, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Your daughter is going to have such good memories and great culinary skills when she grows up!
Posted by: Mari | September 05, 2008 at 05:42 AM
I made these! I didn't burn them! Thank you for your post - looking so yummy - so I gave them a shot. They are my first great success with from scratch cookies.
Posted by: Marni | September 05, 2008 at 08:57 AM