A Good Book Vs. Baking Cookies

Work came very early...was there at 4:50 a.m. to be exact!!  The doors weren't even unlocked yet, so sat and waited.  It was certainly hard to go, though, on such a rainy morning.  It would have been so easy to stay at home, with my cup of coffee and a good book.  Oh, wait...when working on a master's degree, I don't think there is such a thing as a "good book."  It's all about business plans, theories, research papers, and text books.

As for "good books," my favorite author is Joanne Fluke.  She writes the Hannah Swenson series, which is a mystery series based on a cookie shop in Minnesota.  These books are fun reading, pretty basic mysteries, but my favorite part...there are recipes in every book!!  Baking is one of my passions, and since the series is based on a cookie shop, there are lots of cookie recipes.  I have tried some of the recipes, and they have all been really good...and she has even written a cookbook now that features all of her recipes.  Her next book comes out in February...guess what I'll be reading then!!

Another great author is Diane Mott Davidson...also a mystery writer based on a catering business.  Also recipes included, so is right up my alley.  I have also made some of her recipes, but she includes a greater variety, including appetizers, entrees, salads, etc, and are a bit "classier."  Hmmm, I wonder if she has a cookbook available!! ;)

Now that I'm reminiscing about reading good books, I'd better leave you a recipe and get back to studying.

Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies
(Recipe from Joanne Fluke's Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder)

1 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups corn flakes
1 to 2 cups chocolate chips

Melt the butter, add sugars, and stir together in a large mixing bowl.  Add the soda, salt, vanilla, eggs, and mix well.  Add flour and stir it in.  Measure out cornflakes and crush with your hands.  Add to the bowl, along with chocolate chips.  Mix thoroughly.  Form dough into walnut-sized balls (or use a small ice cream scooper to keep your hands clean), and place on greased cookie sheets.  Press down slightly, just to prevent them from rolling around the pan (if you use the scooper, you don't have to worry about this).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cool slightly on pan, then remove to wire rack to finish cooking.

I've made these a couple times, and have used semi-sweet chocolate chips, or a variety of chips (such as milk chocolate, semi sweet chocolate and butterscotch chips).  You can use your imagination!! :)

Till next time, I hope you either get a chance to drink coffee, read a good book, or bake cookies!!