I searched, tested, searched again… used my family as guinea pigs, and my search finally came to an end! While it’s bittersweet, it’s actually much more sweet than bitter. If you’ve read Cookies Over Cleaners then you know I am a cookie-craver, but not just any cookie, oh no! For years, my favorite cookie was from Wal-Mart – their ultimate chocolate chunk cookies (still a back-up). They don’t have the “chemical” taste that most store-bought cookies have, they’re loaded with chocolatey goodness, and they’re reasonably priced (even for Alaska). Even though they’re priced in my range of almost guilt-free cookie-splurging, I went on a search for a better way with even more satisfying yumminess – come on, it’s not really a lot to ask for.
My love for a good cookie recipe was birthed during hardship; a hardship of breaking harmful habits. Ever heard that saying that if you give up one habit, you pick up another one (perhaps two or three)? Well, it’s true – how do you think you get rid of habits except replace it with something else? That’s why people who struggle with alcohol, drugs, and/or even smoking, pack on a few pounds when they take steps to break the habit (enter the best cookie recipe of all time). The majority of people who struggle with addictions usually pick up more snacking sessions… and they’re not very nice people to be around in the beginning. When abuse has taken place (drugs and alcohol seriously abuse our bodies) there’s a massive transition when we try to purge ourselves of all that is harmful. We become different, and not in a good way – at first. Anxiety, irritability, lack of concentration, loss of sleep, and weight gain are all temporary side effects of getting rid of harmful habits.
As someone who has “been there; done that” when it comes to kicking harmful habits, I know that it’s not easy – that’s why I searched for something to satisfy. Don’t ya know it, but even the best cookies of all time didn’t fit the bill! Instead of only filling my time with snacking (there was a lot of that, too), I also started filling my mind with the words of God. While searching for cookie recipes and trying them out, I had worship music playing… while mixing ingredients and watching bake times, I would listen to sermons. I only know my experience first-hand, but my struggles weren’t nearly the nightmare I had anticipated. What was the difference? God.
While chucking the habits that I had allowed to take over my life (and drive a wedge between myself and my family), I discovered a God whose love was relentless. The bad habits were falling away, almost without effort, and I was becoming more and more aware of God’s love – it was overtaking me. It’s the goodness of God that pursued me; nullifying the desires for the habits that were only there to destroy me. The cookies, though, definitely helped. As joy took the place of irritation, I found that I loved the discovery of new recipes – a dash of cinnamon? A bit of nutmeg? While neither of those made a lasting appearance in this cookie recipe, my joy, come to life by God’s love, has shown through every time. I hope that you’ll have a worship playlist going while putting this recipe together. Maybe that’s what the secret ingredient is.
Break-the-Chains Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cream together these first three ingredients:
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
Mix in these next three ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp milk (almond, coconut, or regular is fine)
• 2 Tsp vanilla
• 2 large eggs
A variation to consider: you can add some peanut butter – I’ve added 3 Tbsp creamy peanut butter and it complemented the flavor nicely without overpowering. I recommend trying the recipe without peanut butter, at least the first time. Once you have all of these ingredients mixed together, turn off your mixer.
These next four ingredients need to be mixed together in a separate bowl from the “wet” ingredients.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tsp baking soda
• ½ Tsp baking powder
• ½ Tsp salt (I use the Himalayan pink salt – fine grain)
Once you have the “dry” ingredients blended together, gradually add them to the “wet” ingredients. You can probably get about half of the “dry” ingredients added before needing to switch over to a good ‘ol wooden spoon and some arm muscles. With the beaters no longer needed, this is when I reward myself (if the kids are around, I do share… some). And now, the ingredient we’ve all been waiting for:
• 2 cups (or more) semi-sweet chocolate chips
If you prefer milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, white chips, butterscotch chips, or other baking chips, three words: GO FOR IT! I’ve never added nuts, but typical recipes call for about 1 cup of finely chopped nuts. Also, coconut is another favorite ingredient to add. Just be careful of adding too many ingredients after the semi-sweet chocolate chips; you could miss out on the soft, chewy aspect of the cookies.
Pre-heat your oven to 375° F and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. You can use cooking spray, but the parchment paper not only helps to produce excellent cookies, but makes clean-up a breeze – and you can use the same piece of parchment paper 2-3 times. Good for making several dozen cookies. Using a spoon, scoop about a rounded Tbsp amount of the cookie dough and then use your hand to roll it into a ball. Don’t worry, it will spread out. I place them about two inches apart on the cookie sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. This time will vary by oven and oven type, so start with 8 minutes. Once you see a slight touch of golden brown on the bottom edges of the cookies, it’s time to pull them out. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for about 2-3 minutes before removing to a wire rack. 
Remember: they’re chocolate chip cookies, the best I’ve found (my opinion at this point). If you bake them a little too long and they’re golden all over, they’re still really good, just a little crunchy. This recipe makes about 3 dozen. With my family and the people I give them to, I usually double the recipe.
It’s a blessing to be able to confidently say that I’m on the other side of addiction, but like I said before: one habit gets replaced with another (or two or three). I’m not only addicted to these cookies (and coffee!), but I can’t seem to get enough of learning how much God loves me. That may come across as smug or prideful, but I want to shout it from the rooftops: GOD LOVES ME! God doesn’t love me because I love Him – He didn’t send Jesus to die on the cross because I “had it all together.” I wasn’t even worthy to have God look in my general direction!
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)
God saw the pitch blackness that had taken over our very existence and decided to rescue us – even if we would never accept His free gift of grace, He paid for every link in our chains to be broken. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV) So why are so many of us still bound in chains? I can only surmise that it’s ignorance, pride, or a case of self-righteousness (known or unknown). Are we worthy of God’s love because of what we do? Are we able to conquer our harmful habits, things we’ve allowed in our lives that have essentially set us on a path for self-destruction? John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (NIV) Without God, we’re lost!
Bake the cookies – enjoy the cookies! They’re exceptionally delicious (my opinion – and my family’s)! It’s my prayer, however, that you’ll accept the only person who can (and did) break every chain – Jesus, our Savior. Sometimes it’s a rekindling of a relationship – sometimes it’s a first-time introduction. Talk to him over a plate of cookies; you won’t regret it.
HELPFUL LINKS:
There are so many groups and organizations out there that offer hope – help to overcome that which we feel isolated by. If you or someone is struggling (and the cookies and worship music aren’t quite cutting it), don’t hesitate to reach out. God has people specially placed to help. If you’re interested in discovering how you can get involved with helping others with their addictions, the links provided can also point you in the right direction. If you’re not feeling led to one of these, or if you’re not wanting to talk with “big” groups, check with your local church.
