New cookie baker in the house . . .

Today after church, Miranda asked me if she could bake something. "Sure," I replied, fully aware of the mess about to happen in the kitchen and ready to let her go for it. (What has gotten into me??)

She asked where the recipes were. I told her just to use the one on the package of the chocolate chips. Here is the recipe she found and used on the package of Hershey's Mint Chocolate Chips:

Hershey's Double Chocolate Mint Cookies

2/3 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 t. vanilla extract

1 c. flour

1/2 c. Hershey's cocoa

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1-2/3 c. Hershey's Mint Chocolate chips

1. Heat over to 350 degrees F

2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in mint chocolate chips.

3. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 9 minutes or just until set; do not overbake. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 2-1/2 dozen cookies.

I was truly amazed at how much of this she did completely by herself! She asked me about the 1-2/3 c. measurement. Was it 1 AND 2/3 cups or one 2/3 c. measurement? What mixing bowls should she use? Should she beat the mixture with a wooden spoon or spatula?

I was upstairs working on some valentines for my piano students so she was running up and down the stairs every few minutes at the beginning of the process to ask me these questions. It didn't bother me in the least and I was actually quite happy to be letting her do this alone. (Amazing, I know. Trying to let go . . . )

The only other parts I helped her with (because I went downstairs to give Lina her punched butterflies for their 100-day celebration tomorrow) was softening the butter (she didn't know she needed to do this and I thought it would be a nice thing to tell her) and showing her what scoop to use for putting the cookies on the cookie sheet. Wow--I was so impressed with her capabilities! She's 10 and a total cookie baker now!

The cookies actually turned out perfect! I couldn't have made them better--and not to brag but I am a good cookie baker (or so everyone always tells me my cookies are super good). It's in the genes. My mom is an excellent baker, I've always loved baking, and now Miranda has begun. I'm so excited for her!