back to basics.

i learned how to crack my first egg while helping my mother bake chocolate chip cookies. 
at least, this is how i remember it.  maybe it was the first time i didn't drop a piece of shell into the dough. either way, it was a cause for celebration, and the celebration involved eating lots of cookies. 

i've been baking lots of new-to-me things in our house over the past few months, but yesterday's gloomy weather called for an old favorite.

here is the recipe i used:

3 2/3 cups minus 2 tablespoons flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda 

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt

2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/4 pounds chocolate chips (i used a mix of milk and semi-sweet)

preheat oven to 350. mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl and set aside. using a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy – about 5 minutes. add eggs. stir in vanilla. reduce to low speed and add dry ingredients slowly, mixing until just combined. fold in chocolate chips.  drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheet. bake for 10-12 minutes.

p.s. my next trick will be learning how to crack an egg with one hand.
p.p.s. i got my lovely little cake stand here.