Cooked Play Dough

Okay - so this isn't actually something you eat.  But it is a recipe that we have used in our family for years.  As a little girl, I loved playing with play dough, but I hated the feeling of traditional salt dough on my hands and my mom rarely bought the commercial stuff.  When I was in 4-H, my leader taught us how to make this version of play dough. It has a great smooth texture and lasts for a long time if stored properly.  We love it!

Cooked Play Dough

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar (or 1 tsp cream of tartar and 1 tsp citric acid powder)
1/4 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Food Coloring

Method:
In a medium saucepan, mix all ingredients.  Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.  When the dough becomes harder to stir and gathers on the spoon, dump onto wax paper.  Allow to cool until able to handle and then knead 10 to 15 times until smooth.  Store in an airtight container.  Will keep about 2 weeks (longer if kept in the refrigerator).

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Many people have their favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe all locked up, but I have run across a lot, who never seem to have much luck with them.  When I give them this recipe and method, it always becomes their go to recipe for chocolate chip cookies.  These are delicious, practically foolproof, and they could not be easier.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (softened) - the real stuff, no margarine or shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar (I use just a little less)
1 egg
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Method:
Cream together, butter, sugars, egg, soda, salt, and vanilla until light and fluffy (at least 5 minutes, scraping the bowl occassionally). Add flour and stir until well combined. Add chocolate chips and mix until just incorporated. Drop by tbsp on ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 375 F for 9 - 11 minutes.