Friday, July 7, 2017

Summertime Chocolate Chip Cookies & July's Give-Away Apron

It's hot!  I guess after living in the South for four years I shouldn't be surprised by this week of high temperatures, humidity, and the occasional thunder storm, but it still slows me down.  Even with air conditioning, I find my baking has taken a vacation.  However, yesterday I decided to whip up some chocolate chip cookies and sit down and enjoy a new book I just got.

I first started reading Elon Hilderbrand's books several years ago when I picked up one of her first novels at an airport bookstore.  I had a long trip to Tokyo and wanted to make sure I had enough to read.  Well, it captivated me and I read it in less than three hours.  When I returned home, I purchased all she had out!  Also, a few years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through treatment for this disease.  I couldn't help but feel a kindred spirit when I read her stories.

Her stories take place on Nantucket Island; one of my favorite places to go when we lived in Massachusetts.  It's about 30 miles from Cape Cod and we took the ferry, although there is a small airport that you can fly in to.  The name, Nantucket, is from Algonquian Indians for "far away land or island" and it's mostly a tourist destination with only a little over 10,000 people residing there year round. The town is small, but exploring the island is a wonderful day of viewing wildlife, especially birds, and then finding yourself back in a B & B for a good night's rest.

What are you reading this summer?

Summertime Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cups + 2T granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla extract
2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped pecans (or you can use walnuts)
1 1/4 cups bittersweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together until fluffy.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.  Add the eggs, one at a time and beat to combine.  Add the vanilla and beat again.

Remove bowl from the stand mixer and stir in, by hand, the dry ingredients until combined.  Add the nuts and chocolate chips.  Use a tablespoon-size scoop for the cookie size.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Allow to cool on the pan while you put the next pan of cookies in the oven.  Remove to a rack to cool completely.  Now grab a couple, pour yourself some Sweet Tea or Lemonade and head to a comfy place to read.  Enjoy!


July's Apron is one of my favorite flowers--Poppies!  If you want a chance to win this colorful apron, just comment on the posts this month and you could be wearing this to do some baking in August! Good luck:-)

22 comments:

  1. I am having my afternoon tea now :-) all I need now is a couple of those delicious chocolate cookies. Haven't read anything from Elon Hilderbrand..have to check my kindle archive..maybe I do have some of her books. Have a great weekend, Susan.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOVE that poppy fabric and love chocolate chip cookies. I've got everything on hand except the chocolate, which doesn't stay around long at my house.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It has been too hot to bake, but those cookies look tempting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cookies look wonderful. I love Elin Hildebrand and have read most of her books. She is such a gifted writer and while I once lived on Cape Cod and went to Nantucket, it's just a great setting for her stories. I'll be reading this book soon. Enjoy your day and try to stay cool. Love the poppy apron! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  5. cute, cute, cute....DELICIOUS CHIP cookies and the adorable apron..perfect summer happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not familiar with Elin Hildebrand, but will look her up soon. Chocolate Chip Cookies with nuts in sound delicious, and another thing I've not tried, other than peanut butter choc chip ones. The poppy apron is stunning; I have wild, field poppies throughout my garden which are always exciting to see come up annually. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Elin Hildebrand is new to me...will look up her books--thanks for the tip; I love that poppies apron..so perfect for summer--my DIL so loved the apron I won a while ago, that I gifted it to her to hostess her "partays" ;)))...hugs, Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have not read Elin Hildebrand, but I must check her out. As you know my grands want to make chocolate chip cookies when they visit. Problem is, they don't last long. Stay cool and enjoy your reads. XOXO ♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. Always intrigued by a book that a friend reviews, but truly, I don't want for reading material. I read blogs. 🙃

    ReplyDelete
  10. That apron is stunning. I love poppies. Pecans in cookies sounds like a real winner.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just made a batch of Toll House chocolate chip cookies today before I saw your post. I will be trying your recipe the next time I make chocolate chip cookies. It was a hot day here too but I made the cookies early in the day before it got too hot. Can't eat sweet cookies with lemonade but had one this evening with hot, black coffee. It tasted good. The apron is vibrant!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Susan. The poppy apron, well, just pops with color and loveliness. Please put my name into the hat. Thanks. Nantucket is a charming place. Lots of tourists in the summer, though. I sometimes forget you lived in our beautiful state. Take care, thanks for all your sweet visits, and I hope you have a good rest of the week! Susan

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for the book recommendation.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Now I really want Chocolate chip cookies, :) Lovely post! Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very pretty apron. CC cookies are a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a beautiful apron, Susan!!! I haven't made chocolate chip cookies in quite awhile, and you're inspiring me. I also am drooling over your Blackberry Jam bars (a new to me technique with grating the dough), and those cherry shortbread bars (may have to make those this afternoon!). It's always a pleasure to come to your kitchen.
    Happy baking!!
    Oh, I forgot to mention that I read The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane, by Ellen Berry, while I was on vacation, and I think you'd like it. I'm looking forward to the next book that comes out in September. Thank you for your recommendation.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I envy successful cookie bakers. I can not make a decent cookie. Shortbread? Not a chance. I've even tried in different ovens, no luck.

    I can make a good cake and a pretty tasty Victoria sponge sandwich.

    Poppies are a favourite. Please enter me. It may bring me cookie luck, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Summertime Chocolate Chip Cookies & July's Give-Away Apron. It's hot! I guess after living in the South for four years I shouldn't be surprised ...
    ตารางคะแนนพรีเมียร์ลีก

    ReplyDelete