Tuesday, June 4, 2013

For Sale...& June's Give-Away Apron

One of the many things I've learned, with all the homes we've sold, is that the aroma of cookies does give you an edge.  With this in mind, I have been baking my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, freezing squares, then, we when we have a showing, I bake up a dozen:-D  I have no shame!
Chocolate Chip~Pecan Cookies
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup + 1T granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup rough chopped pecans (or walnuts)

In a large bowl, using a hand held mixer, cream the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add the vanilla extract. 

Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and stir in the dry ingredients.  Add the chips and pecans and mix thoroughly using the rubber spatula.  Transfer dough to plastic wrap and flatten to a square. Chill dough for at least 1 hour or place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 1 month.

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

I use a knife to cut the dough into squares, then roll into a ball between my hands.  Place on the baking sheet  and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Now, your home is ready to sell--fingers crossed! Enjoy!

This month's apron is bright and ready for the summer picnics.  Just post a comment this month and you're entered to win...good luck!

54 comments:

  1. Back in the 70's I learned the cookie house sale thing too! Yours look wonderful and I am so enjoying my apron!!

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    1. Thank you. I know definitely our home in Massachusetts sold because of cookies--they even ate some I had on the counter, that happened to be for a class I was attending later!

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  2. I used to bake bread before a showing - anything to help hook a buyer!
    I love this month's apron - it's so cheery.

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    1. You're right, bread is another "home" smell that draws them in!

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  3. Love your idea for aroma-selling!! And I love your apron. Thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. Good luck...this happens to be #110 that I've made...is that a lucky number for you:-D

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  4. I love keeping chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer. I usually freeze the balls and use a food saver to keep them from crystalizing. I may try this method!!! I'm sure it takes up less freezer space...which is a huge issue in this house! I love the apron - my aunt used to make me aprons and I really miss having cute aprons on hand. Fingers are crossed!

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  5. Chocolate chip cookies will sell your home in a heartbeat Susan! Good luck with the sale and the move! xoxo ♥
    Martha Ellen

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  6. Yum, the cookies look delicious. Very cute apron too!

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    1. These cookies are one of the best chocolate chip I've ever made, sale or no sale:-D

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  7. I often buy frozen cookie dough and bake just a few at a time, it actually never occurred to me to just freeze my own. Brilliant! Beautiful apron, Susan, as always. xoxox

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    1. That's what my sister-in-law did when she sold her home in San Antonio, but making up batches and freezing them is easy too!

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  8. If that doesn't get them ,nothing will. A pot of coffee works too!
    Jane x

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    1. I'm not a coffee drinker and my hubby has a Tassimo that brews one cup at a time, but you're right about that aroma especially working here in the Seattle area!!

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  9. Hello dear Susan.....Oh, I'm sure your house smells fabulous. It will sell!

    Got caught up on your "delicious" blog posts.

    Thanks so much for all your visits and comments to my blog. Love when you stop by. Susan

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    1. Fingers-crossed it will help...I miss those grands! XOXO

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  10. You pick out the prettiest fabric for aprons. Good luck selling your house.

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    1. I'm lucky to live in an area, filled with wonderful fabric stores; we have a lot of quilters here. I know this sounds odd, but the fabrics actually "speak" to me on which ones to choose. I like the vibrant colors in this one--it made me smile,XOXO

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  11. I won't enter because I have one of your beautiful aprons but this sure is special for summertime! Everyone LOVES your aprons...it makes us better cooks! Sweet hugs!

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    1. You're so sweet...I know my apron(s) make me feel closer to my mom for so many reasons and maybe that's the magic they share!

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  12. Ditto what Lavender Dreamer said. Can't say it any better.

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  13. That apron is adorable. I hope I win.

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    1. If I had time, I would sew aprons for everyone; I love sharing this wonderful memory of my mother with you, XOXO

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  14. Love the fabrics, I can see myself wearing it.

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  15. Oh the smell of cookies makes me so happy! I am going to try this recipe! I am going to 'enter' for this apron because this looks like my daughter! The bright colors and flowers! So throw my name in the hat for Sara please! I think Diane is correct, I wore my Paris apron and I swear I was a better cook!!!

    hugs,
    Linda

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    1. Will she dye her hair to match...tee hee!

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  16. Yum, I love chocolate chip cookies! This apron is so cute! Thanks for sharing your recipes and for your apron giveaways.

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    1. I love the connection with each and every one of you; the apron is an extension of that, XOXO

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  17. Your new apron is just perfect for summer with all the bright colors.

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    1. I had that very thought when I saw the fabrics!

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  18. What a cute apron! And those chocolate chip cookies sound yummy! :)

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  19. I love all different kinds of chocolate cookies!
    The apron looks so beautiful with that bright colour, Susan.

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    1. I can't wait to see how you change up this recipe with your magic flours!!

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  20. I'm sure your house smells wonderful with all the baking you do. June apron is so cheery and bright I like it.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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    1. Happy Birthday, dear friend...maybe it's your month! XOXO

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  21. When can I come and view? Another beautiful apron which is sure to delight the winner. Good luck with the viewings. (I used to bake bread or brew a pot of fresh coffee.)

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    1. It really is quite lovely here and I do have mixed feelings leaving, but in the end, it's about being closer to family and seeing those grands grow up, XOXO

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  22. Oh how heavenly...I can smell these cookies baking as I am reading your post! Thank you for sharing your favorites!

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  23. Good luck...it could be winging it's way to you by July!

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  24. Another cute apron and that recipe is definitely going to be tried at this house. Thanks for a chance to win and all the wonderful recipes you have shared. Good luck with the sale.

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  25. IF these cookies don't help sell the house nothing will :) Yummy!
    Love the apron!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  26. How clever! I hope I remember that when/if I need to sell again. The cookies sound amazing (you can't go wrong with pecans and chocolate :)) and the apron is beautiful as well. In crossing my fingers that I win one!

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  27. what a darling happy apron susan, your creativity is really amazing. the cookies sound so good right now! and i wanted to tell you, when you said that about a birthday cake it made my day. thank you :)
    xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  28. I love this apron - it's so bright and cheery. I also keep homemade chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer, already measured and shaped for individual cookies. I can make two or a half dozen in my toaster oven in twelve minutes. Yum, and they do smell great.

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  29. Love the apron this month! And my fingers and toes are crossed for a quick sale! xoxoxo

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  30. Love the apron this month!! And my fingers and toes are crossed for a quick sale! xoxoxo Movie weekends will be here before you know it!

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  31. Love the apron! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

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  32. Finally I am back in my kitchen after 2 yes of addition? Susan I can't wait to try many of your delicious recipes.

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  33. Finally after 2 years of construction I am back in my kitchen. Susan I can't wait try some of your delishicious recipes!!

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  34. WOW! So happy I found your site. I have spent hours on it today and still not even half done. Love the country live. Your pics are awesome. Being disabled, I will be spenting many hours on here. I am making the pink lemonade cookies for the residentts of our local nursing home which is right next door to me. I visit there often so know who is diabetic so they will get surgar free cookies. Thanks for all the time you spend sharing with us.

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