Shuga’ Mommas: Viv’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

My Mom, Viv, is a master in the kitchen. A goddess, really. She grew up on a farm in southeast Missouri, and started cooking at the age of eight. She’s not afraid to try new things, and while in her kitchen, you’ll often hear the term, “It needs to be doctored,” said with quite a southern flair. 100% of the time, she’s right.

One of the things my Mom spent years perfecting were her chocolate chip cookies. They were legendary in our church and school. In my high school years, it was nearly impossible for us to attend any event unless we brought cookies with us.

Then college came. I moved 12 hours away. The cookies did not come with me.

What was I supposed to do? I begged my Mom for the recipe, and she relented, making me promise I would NEVER give the recipe to anyone else. I agreed.

The cookies were back in my life!

12 years later, we were in the middle of a master’s program in Florida, and had just received our acceptance into Oxford. Our friends knew we would be leaving them soon. So, the questions, started.

“Do you think you could give me the chocolate chip recipe?”

“How in the world am I going to live without these cookies?”

My answer was the same, every time. “You’ll have to ask Viv.” In 12 years, I had kept my promise to my Mom. I had not given the recipe to anyone.

On my 30th birthday (which we’ll pretend was last year), my husband threw me a surprise party, and flew my parents and brother in for it. I was shocked, to say the least. At the party, some of our friends pulled me aside, and asked if they should ask my Mom for the recipe. I said, “Sure! But she’s probably not going to give it to you.”

How wrong I was.

Five girls cornered my mother, and the whining ensued, for a good 15 minutes. I think my Mom was so amused by it that she finally said, “Fine. You all can have it.”

The cheering could be heard for miles.

So, this is my Christmas gift to you. Santa will be more than pleased.

VIV’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

• 1 cup shortening (Editor’s note: I have dropped this from the recipe since moving to England, as it’s nearly impossible to find shortening)
• 1 cup butter (melted) (Editor’s note: If you drop the shortening, do not melt the butter)
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 2/3 cups brown sugar (packed)
• 1 TBSP of Vanilla
• 4 Eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 5 cups flour
• 2 bags chocolate chips

Mix (hand or stand) the shortening, butter, sugar, and brown sugar, until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, stirring each one until completely mixed into the dough. Mix in vanilla, salt, and baking soda. Add flour a bit at a time, until mixed into the dough. Then, add chocolate chips.

Pre-heat oven to 350F.

     

Once the dough is mixed, spoon onto baking sheet.I use a tablespoon to scoop the dough; although an ice cream scooper will work just as well.

(Note: I’m seriously drooling looking at this dough).

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve cookies warm, with a glass of cold milk.

Merry Christmas!!

-Mandy