Mama’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Make these. You won’t be sorry. Unless you’re on a diet. In that case, half the recipe, eat 2 or 3 (or 10) and give the rest to a friend. It’s worth cheating. They are that good.
Don’t mind the fact that the recipe says “Mrs. Fields” chocolate chip cookies. These taste absolutely nothing like those lifeless cookies they sell at every mall in America. I got this recipe from my dear mother; she’s been making these chocolate chip cookies for over 20 years. These cookies are substantial, filled with chocolate chips and chocolate bits, and are seriously addicting.
My mother’s cookies are an absolute hit with everyone who tries them. When I was in college, my mom would send a box of them down every few months. When my hall mates got word that a new shipment had arrived, they’d be banging down my door looking for snacks. And, I may or may not have received an invitation to dinner from a goofy young man after I shared one with him. Thanks Mom!
These are my go to treat for bake sales, sick friends, BBQ’s (cookouts), and parties. When I stepped off the plane in Ireland to meet Mr. Zoom for the first time, I had several Ziplock bags full of these stuffed in my carry on bag. Because that’s what American’s do; we come baring food.
And, I got a proposal 8 months later. I’m not discounting the fact that these cookies may have sealed the deal.
Yesterday, I whipped up 2 batches of these bad boys for a trip we’re taking to the beach this weekend. My cousin is getting married and a whole crowd of my extended family will be staying for a week to attend the wedding. To say we’re excited is an understatement. I’m 200 (plus or minus samples) cookies excited.
Though it took me all day, and I probably will come down with salmonella from “testing” the batter, I can’t wait to share them with everyone this weekend. There’s nothing better than catching up with family over a few chocolate chip cookies.
If you’ve been invited to a party this weekend, have yet to find the perfect mother’s day gift, or are looking for a date, try out a batch of these to share. At the very least, your tummy will certainly thank you.
Mrs. Field’s (Mama’s) Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes 75-100 cookies
4 cups flour
5 cups oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups butter, softened
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups sugar
24 ounces chocolate chips
8 ounce chocolate bar (Hershey’s or Cadbury’s) shaved (pulse in food processor for a sec)
3 cups nuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine and sift together flour, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter until softened. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and sugars. Mix well.
Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. If your stand mixer has a large enough bowl this can be done mechanically. Otherwise wash your hands, get out a big bowl, and mix by hand. Finally add chocolate and nuts. Batter will be very thick and heavy.
Drop heaping tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 9-12 minutes. Check frequently and remove when very slightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.
Devour.
*Cooks note: about 50% of people who try and make these LOVE them frozen; Mr. Zoom included. I usually pop half the finished cookies directly into the freezer (in Ziplock bags) when cooled. He eats them frozen!
