Before I get started with this little baking story and Quick Valentine Cookie Tip, I want to tell you all who won the Startle Garden Book giveaway from Carole West at Garden Up Green.It is Angie Goldsmith, please email me your mailing address and congrats!I use random.org to determine the winner, so it is fair and square...
The Woman In Cabin Ten is a tightly wound and suspenseful novel, involving a female journalist who writes for a travel magazine. Her assignment takes her on the maiden voyage of a small luxury cruise ship. ( Love to hear from you and what you thought of the book) I highly recommend it if you like twists and turns and a whodunit plot.
I had several things going on at one time and really not focusing entirely on any of them as I probably should have been.I know you have done this too...don't you find it amazing how everything turns out all right with these sort of distractions and projects...A generous pot of homemade chicken noodle soup was bubbling and simmering on the cook-top, a half completed decomesh Valentine Wreath sat on the table, while a batch of Valentine Chocolate Chip Cookies were just about ready to pop into the oven.My girls were texting me, and I was happy as a bee sipping on my diet pepsi.
Baking Tip For Chocolate Chip Cookies~Lower the Oven Temperature, bake a little longer and your cookies will be softer.
So, was it the baking soda that made the difference??NO!When I went to turn the oven off I discovered I had baked 4 dozen cookies on 357 degrees not 375!I chuckled all afternoon over this-but seriously these were some fabulous cookies!They took a little longer to bake, and oh goodness were they worth it.
Quick Valentine Cookie Tip~Add seasonal sprinkles to the cookie dough.
If you are looking for a quick way to add some Valentine cheer to your cookies today just use the recipe off of the package of Nestle Toll House semi sweet chocolates or your favorite recipe. Add some heart shaped sprinkles in the batter and then for added good measure add a few on the top of the mounds of dough before you bake them..Thank you friends for sharing your day with me, truly it means so very, very much!
I am wishing you a day that is free from worries, filled with joy, and sprinkled with lots of love!XO
I can't read anything without my glasses either and for years I use to bake cookies at 350. But then one day I tried Mrs. Fields tip, 325 for 20 minutes and used dark brown sugar instead of light and holy cow what a difference. Love the addition of sprinkles! Happy Valentines Day Friend.
ReplyDeleteCarole @ Garden Up Green
Good tip about lowering the temp- that's what I call a happy accident! Your cookies look so yummy- I never think of adding sprinkles to chocolate chip cookies but they look more enticing with them!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Valentines Day, Liz
Happy Valentines Day Jemma. Have a really fun and romantic day. I have always put the temp down 25 degrees for cookies and they do come out so much better. Love the sprinkles added to the dough.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Happy Valentine's Day my sweet friend! ❤️ Love the oops moments that turn out happy in life! Cookies look great!! 🍪
ReplyDeleteHaha, oh my. I thought surely you didn't bake 357 cookies (what an odd number) then I saw what happened! Isn't the whole "I need reading glasses" thing annoying? Happy mistake though! Need to try that next time I bake!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Cecilia
Jemma, you have reminded me of the time one of my children was talking to me, and I accidentally added an extra stick of butter to my cookie recipe. I didn't realize it until I opened the oven and my cookies were a huge blob! Your cookies sound yummy, and I love the tip about adding sprinkles to the batter. I hope that you have a very Happy Valentine's Day!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this story to the max! And the cookies look great. I still love the package recipe best (unless I'm using one with oatmeal and I have a good one for that, too). They always turn out right -- but I love the 357 tip!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day, Jemma!
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ReplyDeleteHeart-shaped sprinkles make everything better, Jemma :) That's funny about the 357 degree oven! And I am so curious about those pretty sequined hearts on the table. Did you make them?
ReplyDeleteLovely Jemma. Congrats to Angie on the win. The cookies are so pretty and perfect for this day of love. Funny about the temp, but at least they are still good. Happy Valentine's day sweet Jemma. xo
ReplyDeleteNow that's one super accident and it allowed you share it with us all. I'm with Liz, I never thought about adding decorative sprinkles to chocolate chip, big difference
ReplyDeleteCindy
Well I must say dear Jemma that I've had a good chuckle reading this cookie story ! But oh I love the sweet pictures and have so enjoyed this post . Hugs and blessings , Cindy
ReplyDeleteJemma, that is such a funny story. You know, I always bake my cookies for the exact time, and Jess bakes them a few minutes less than me, and her cookies turn out so soft and amazing. I'm glad that your cookies turned out so Yummy. They look delicious! You had many things going on at once, but if anyone could handle them, it would be you. The way you added the heart-shaped sprinkles is so sweet on this special day.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day to a very special, wonderful, and genuine woman.
love, ~Sheri
Jemma, I have learned some great baking tips from happy accidents ;) Your cookies look delicious! Happy Valentine's Day! Hugs, Cecilia
ReplyDeleteThey look delicious!! I have done things like that so many times...sometimes good results (like this) and sometimes, not so much! Glad they turned out okay...Happy Valentine's Day! Love and hugs!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your chuckle story, Jemma. At least it turned out well. I would have hated it if the blunder was the other way. Love the decorative sprinkles for festivity. Cookies look delicious.
ReplyDeleteI have a convection oven and it took me forever to realize that it will never heat up to what I program. So I punch in 375 and it warms to 350 and stops. I thought I was crazy for months! I guess reading the manual helps! ;) Your cookies look yummy...
ReplyDeleteHi Jemma, what a fun post and I had to smile at the cookie discovery. Out of the mounds of stuff we have going on, we find something to learn. Thanks for sharing the tips for the sprinkles. It's certainly a step saver when complete too. The cookies looks delicious. Hope you enjoyed a special Valentine's Day. Blessings xoxo
ReplyDeleteToo funny! I always bake my cookies at 350 anyway instead of 375. I also chill the dough for about an hour before forming the dough into rounds and putting them into the oven. It makes the cookies "fluffier" instead of flat - if that's something you want. Your cookies look so pretty with the sprinkles!
ReplyDeleteSweet story! I love that just perfect chocolate chip cookie but can never figure out what made them come out great that one time! I will have to try your trick. Happy Love Day xoxo
ReplyDeleteJemma,
ReplyDeleteAll's well that ends well. When I read the post title I thought you had made 357 cookies, and thought, "Oh, my, how long did that take to bake that many cookies?" They look delicious, and I love heart sprinkles.
Judith
I am terribly late for the cookie party, but here I am! And every day should be Valentine's day too! What a pretty composition of spring promise Valentine's décor brings and your vignettes are beautiful sweet friend. Happy day!
ReplyDeleteI always bake my cookies at a lower temp, too, unless I am baking them for hubby. He likes a really crispy cookie and I like the softer ones. I use airbake sheets so they never burn but they do take a bit longer to bake. The good thing with those pans is that you can bake a super crisp cookie that gets browner but does not burn.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week. xo Diana
Hey, that's a great tip, sweet lady, thanks so much! Cute post, I thought you were having some sort of a crazy bake-a-thon and truly baked 357 cookies!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I need my glasses for everything now too ;-) I also thought you baked 357 cookies and was thinking ~ that girl is a go getter for sure! I am also putting your book recommendation on my reading list. Thank you! (I'm still giggling about the 357 degrees)
ReplyDeleteBig Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Sometimes an Oops moment just turns out fine ...
ReplyDeleteHope the week is going well.
All the best Jan