Revisiting Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Rodeo

Normally, September would be county fair time all across south central Texas. And that can only mean one thing.

Rodeo! 

Of course, things are a little different this year. The fair has been pared down significantly and there will be no  rodeo. So, instead, we're just going to take a little step back in time to our first county fair .

Where patriotism reigns.

Along with ropin',

Barrel racing,

Bronc and bull riding.

It's a tradition that's gone on for decades. And small town at its best.

But, boy, it'll work up an appetite and have your sweet tooth clamoring for something every bit as classic. And you can't get more classic than chocolate chip cookies.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and shortening.

Add sugars...

And beat until well blended. 

Add eggs.

And, you guessed it, beat well. Until it looks like this.

With mixer on low, add flour, salt, soda and cinnamon a little at a time so as not to send flour flying everywhere. Once everything is incorporated, beat at medium to high speed for another minute.

Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if you're using them. I didn't, because there are some in my house who frown on nuts. Brats.

 Spoon onto ungreased baking sheet. I like to use a cookie scoop, like this.

I have a larger one I use when I'm making cupcakes. It helps keep everything nice and uniform. 

Bake 8-12 minutes, or until golden.

There's a reason these cookies are a classic. And they always get eaten.

Now it's your turn. Have you ever been to a rodeo? If so, what's your favorite event? And more important, what's your favorite cookie?

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com

A Manly Meal

You know, I hate it when I finally cook a big meal and then completely forget to take pictures. The intention is always there and yet I still end up kicking myself when it's time for a blog post. Fortunately, most of what I made I've posted about before, so I'm not completely at a loss. 

So my guys were planning a big hog hunt for Sunday morning. I've told you about those nasty feral hogs that are prone to tearing up the ranch land. 

This time, my husband decided to bring in a professional. A fella that uses dogs to locate and hold the pigs, then they are captured so they can be sold. Yes, wild hogs are still a source of meat.

Knowing my guys would be getting up early the next morning, even before things turned bright, mama decided to make them a manly dinner Saturday night. Big Daddy wanted wings (recipe here).

I also threw in a small slab of ribs I'd bought on sale, but I don't have a pic. 

Then there was corn on the cob and cowboy beans (recipe here) to help round out the meal. 

Those chunks of bacon and a hint of sweetness make these a real crowd pleaser.

And, of course, no meal is complete with dessert. At least not in my book. And what's more pleasing than a classic chocolate chip cookie (recipe here). 

What's cooking at your place?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.

Chocolate Chip Cookies and Rodeo

Well, it's county fair time all across south central Texas. And that can only mean one thing.

Rodeo!

Where patriotism reigns.

Along with ropin',

Barrel racing,

Bronc and bull riding.

It's a tradition that's gone on for decades. And small town at its best.

But, boy, it'll work up an appetite and have your sweet tooth clamoring for something every bit as classic. And it doesn't get more classic than chocolate chip cookies.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and shortening.

Add sugars...

And beat until well blended. 

Add eggs.

And, you guessed it, beat well. Until it looks like this.

With mixer on low, add flour, salt, soda and cinnamon a little at a time so as not to send flour flying everywhere. Once everything is incorporated, beat at medium to high speed for another minute.

Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if you're using them. I didn't, because there are some in my house who frown on nuts. Brats.

 Spoon onto ungreased baking sheet. I like to use a cookie scoop, like this.

I have a larger one I use when I'm making cupcakes. It helps keep everything nice and uniform. 

Bake 8-12 minutes, or until golden.

There's a reason these cookies are a classic. And they always get eaten.

Now it's your turn. Have you ever been to a rodeo? If so, what's your favorite event? And more important, what's your favorite cookie?

----------------------------------------------

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com 

Double S Ranch Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies!

LAST WEEK OF WIN IT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT!!!! I'VE GOT TWO COPIES OF "BACK IN THE SADDLE" THAT NEED HOMES, SO LEAVE ME A COMMENT, AND I WILL GLADLY TUCK YOUR NAME INTO COLT'S COWBOY HAT! 

Double S Ranch Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

4 sticks butter, softened

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 cups brown sugar, packed solidly

1/3 cup molasses

2 tbsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, molasses, vanilla. Mix very well. Then add:

Oops, wait, that's the baby adding flour. DO NOT ADD THE BABY!!!! WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND LETS A BABY SIT ON THE TABLE TO HELP BAKE COOKIES??? (GRINNING!)

6 cups flour (I use bread flour because I love gluten, gluten is my friend. But any flour will do!)

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. salt

5 cups Ghirardelli chocolate chips (2.5 bags unless you buy the big one at Sam’s Club!)

Mix in flour, baking soda and salt at low speed. (I have a dough hook and that works well) When everything is fully mixed, add 5 cups of Ghirardelli Chocolate chips. (You can add chopped nuts here, or miniature chips or M&M's too, those are popular additions on the ranch!)

Drop by rounded spoonsful (or one of those clever cookie dough scoops…) onto a cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 for about 10-11 minutes. I make slightly big cookies because the kids love them so much! Use your first tray as a test tray for timing. If cookies come out too flat, add about 1/3 cup flour to the dough and mix again. You want them not too puffy… and not too flat.

We want them just right!

These cookies have been wowin' folks from Upstate NY to the plateaus of the Cascade Mountains, because a great recipe is a great recipe, no matter where it's from!

This is one of our fave recipes on the ranch and in upstate, they are crowd-pleasers! Big and little, these cookies make folks happy!

Leave me a comment below and I'll happily tuck your name into the cowboy hat for two final copies of "Back in the Saddle", courtesy of Waterbrook/Multnomah!!!

And I've got the espresso machine fired up, and a pot of old fashioned joe ready and waitin' so let's talk... what's your family's favorite cookie??? And do you make it or buy it???