Crisp & Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I like to think I'm an open-minded person.

In fact, I know I am. I keep a level head with many controversial issues mainly because I feel people have to do what's best for them. What works for me won't always work for someone else, and vice versa. Unless someone asks me directly for advice, the only thing I can do is cheer them on and hope things go their way.

However, there are situations in which I want to scream and give some parents a good shaking, especially when it comes to their children. Did you ever watch those wedding dress shows where Mom makes the bride feel like crap because she would "never wear that dress" or "it's not what I envisioned for you"? It drives me insane. Mom, we love you, but it's not about you.

The other day, I took my daughter to dance class. While there, I was listening in on three other Moms chatting about current events, namely the horrible events that occurred in Paris. As they went on, my heart ached to think that these little girls, the same age as my daughter, had been exposed to this awful news. My husband and I tend to shelter our kids from life tragedies as much as we can. They're only little once and if we can keep them innocent until they're 30, then we will.

As I listened in, I couldn't help but shake my head. I understand that not everyone shares my beliefs, but I never understood the need for a child to know something that even I as an adult don't want to know.

Mom #1: X is terrified of all these shootings. She had a nightmare about it the other night. I keep telling her we live in a safe place, but she's still scared. We talk about it almost everyday.

Mom #2: Oh, I know. It's so hard to avoid. We were talking about it at dinner last week. Q was asking why people shoot other people. I can't answer that when I don't even understand. She never wants to go to Paris. I told her she doesn't have to if she doesn't want to.

Mom #3: Life isn't the same as when we were their ages. It's even tougher with technology. Life seems to move much faster. Speaking of, we got the health class update from school. OH. And get this. Z came home and asked what a period was.

Mom #1 and #2 FROZE IN THEIR SEATS. Deer in headlights. Catatonic.

Mom #1: WHAT?!? Are you serious?

Mom #2: (Hand over her mouth) Oh my gosh. Did they say when? I'm so not prepared for this. WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Mom #3: I don't know. It's so crazy! I didn't know what to tell her. It caught me completely off guard. Thankfully, she didn't ask me again, but I'm sure she will.

I shuddered. HUH???

So let me get this straight. You're okay to talk about awful shootings at the dinner table and bedtime, but freak out and panic when she asks you a question about her own body? I get this is a tough subject to get into for some, but her period is inevitable. It's going to happen whether anyone likes it or not. And knowledge is power. The more that precious baby girl of yours knows about her body, the more empowering it is. It's a proven fact that girls who are well informed make better choices throughout their lives. What's not helpful for her is bringing up awful and scary events that will very likely never happen in your community - especially right before bed when she needs winds down.

After class, I grabbed my little beauty and gave her the biggest hug. As we left the building, we talked about things I knew would make her eyes light up, like the awesome new dance moves she just learned, going home to enjoy a mug of hot chocolate with a big blob of marshmallow fluff, and making those chocolate chip cookies I promised her we'd make all week.

For those of you have littles, hold them tight and give them lots of kisses while they let you. Life moves fast, sometimes too fast. There's plenty of time to do big kid things with them when they're big kids.

They're only little once.

Let them be little.

And make cookies with them often. They won't ever forget it.

Earlier this year, I shared my Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies; a cookie that took two years to perfect. As much as my family love those, we also love these Crisp & Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies for their quick prep. In fact, I probably make these more than anything. The dough doesn't need to be chilled, the ingredients whip up super fast, and I'm usually eating a warm, chocolate chip cookie twenty minutes after I christened the thought of making them.


CRISP & CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

1½ cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅔ cup Stirling Creamery Churn 84 unsalted butter, slightly melted
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ cup shredded or flake coconut
¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1½ cups good quality chocolate chunks - I used Guittard for this recipe.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.

In a heat-safe bowl, place half of the butter into bowl and microwave until melted. Pour melted butter into a separate mixing bowl along with the rest of the butter and both granulated and brown sugars.

Using an electric hand or stand mixer, beat together for about three minutes. Add in egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go.

Add in coconut and rolled oats. Mix until blended in. Slowly add in flour mixture, beating only until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chunks with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.

Using a 1" cookie scoop with a retractable mechanism, scoop out dough onto cookie sheets. These cookies will spread, giving them their crispy, thin appearance, so it's important not to crowd the sheet with balls of dough. Six to nine per sheet is a good number to start with.

Bake for 10 minutes or until edges become golden brown. For an extra crispy cookie, bake for 12 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to rest for a minute or two before transferring cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cookies will keep for several days in an airtight container.