Mom’s Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie

Do yourself a favor and send your mom this video–I guarantee she’ll love it. I know mine did.

My mom is a saint for many, many reasons.

The biggest reason is the sheer fact that she’s put up with me for over two decades, which is a pretty amazing feat in itself.

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You might recognize this recipe because I’ve posted something very similar here before, but there’s a story behind this necessary redundancy on Mother’s Day!

My mom is very particular about her cookies; you might call her a bit of a CCC connoisseur.  She is the best mom imaginable and unimaginable, but she doesn’t sugarcoat anything, not my life performance and certainly not my baking. Growing up, there was none of that “Oh good job, honey, you did a great job!” some kids heard after their soccer game. No, it was always, “What happened to the last points you missed?” or, to other parents, “I wish my daughter could be more like your daughter–so smart, so responsible!”

My old college roommate was absolutely shocked the first time she heard about this. “What do you mean, your parents don’t praise you for the work you do?” she asked me when I told her, unfazed and laughing, that my dad had just called and said that English majors really are bleak creatures with downright morbid economic futures.

To be fair, I totally agree with him. Us academics are part of a sort of masochistic trade.

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Most recently, the part of my achieving life in which my mom has become most involved has been (unsurprisingly) my baking. As my blog has grown, she’s become one of my best go-to taste testers and critics. Like me, she has a huge sweet tooth–but like her usual self, she is also hyper-particular about the types, textures, and flavors of sweets she will eat….and she will not hesitate to tell you when she downright hates something you’ve made for her.

Now, for someone who loves baking as much as I do, this can be a little hard to chew on sometimes, especially when all you really needed after the cookie platter’s been passed around was a big smile and a hearty thumbs-up.

I’m sure that sounds slightly artificial, but at the same time it’s totally true. I’m a huge believer in strategic affirmation, a.k.a. knowing when to be brutally honest about something and when to sort of tweak your framing so that the other person feels better about their self-worth without getting totally deluded about their potential. Unnecessary, unconstructive critics are probably among my biggest pet peeves. As an incredibly relationships-oriented person, I don’t think the phrases “Well, it’s the truth” and “Just saying” are excuses for chucking a wrecking ball through someone else’s day just because you want to be right.

I’m not asking for endless rainbows or unicorns that shit sprinkles. But tactless or unsolicited criticism? No. No wrecking balls.

Miley. I’m looking at you.

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Needless to say, this sort of tact-before-telling approach isn’t something I learned from my mom–who, for the record, I love to the ends of the Earth and back.

I guess I’m glad she was honest about my cookie record. She doesn’t like brownies, she doesn’t eat things with cinnamon in them, and this crosses a lot of my favorite recipes off her list. She didn’t like my favorite thick and chewy chocolate chip cookie (gasp), and she certainly didn’t like my favorite soft-baked pudding cookie (GASP), though I basically had to bum-rush the cookie platter to save a few for her to sample. And when she didn’t want them, er, I might have kinda stuffed them all sorrowfully in my face while blasting BSB’s “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” in the background to assuage the pain in my stabbed heart.

As I write this post, I find myself suddenly toying again with the idea that my parents must have plucked me off the clearance section at Petsmart and that my whole life is just one huge fat Petsmartian lie and we aren’t even related to each other. Because who could not love my favorite thick and chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe??

Answer: My mama didn’t like them.

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On the other hand, we totally are related.

I mean, so related it’s kind of scary sometimes.

For example, we both love:

– Hong Kong style French toast,

– Running around vast lawns making wild gurgling noises,

– Dipping our feet in the ocean,

– Mickey Mouse;

– Eyeing and nibbling other people’s meals instead of our own;

– Playing puzzle games, and

– Wiggling our butts when we’re bored.

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We both hate:

– Smelly people,

– The sand that gets caught before our toes after we’ve dipped our feet in the ocean,

– Getting sucky massages by people who prod you like they’re trying to pop bubble wrap or something,

– Loud bass blasting from inconsiderate adjacent cars, and

– People who walk way, wayyyy too slow at theme parks. (Ain’t nobody got time for that!)

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With all of this said, my mom is everything to me: BFFL, mentor, fellow frolicker, go-to shoulder, antagonist (sometimes!), shopping buddy, chef de cuisine, confidant, and a billion and one things I haven’t named for everything I have. I love everything about her–including, I’ve come to realize, her completely honest opinions, which I realize affect me more than most others’ opinions because I value them so much. That’s why I’ve been hard at work creating THE chocolate chip cookie for her this year–it has been a crowning obsession with me (as my mom knows only too well–I’ve shoved at least ten different batches of CCC at her in these past months alone, and every time the frustration scale creeps up a notch when she dismisses it a la Anton Ego. I mean that literally–she won’t swallow if she doesn’t love it.)

After the eleventh gorgeous, puffy, soft-baked batch came out and received a decided Mom NO, TOO SOFT, I realized that some things really are better tried and true. If my mom’s found her favorite version of my chocolate chip cookie recipes, who am I to fight it? This is the woman who fed, pampered, bathed, sheltered, raised, and put up with me, after all–she deserves some major props.

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So here’s my cookie for Mom: thick but not-too-thick, chewy in the middle, crisp on the edges, not soft-baked, not-too-puffy, no-extensive-chilling chocolate chip cookies with white chocolate chips and coconut thrown in for good measure because Mom loves those. 

Feel free to toy around with the recipe to your mom’s (or whoever you want to make these cookies for’s) tastes.

I just sent my package of cookies off on Wednesday, and I am so nervous right now about how she’ll react when she tries them that my hands are actually trembling. Deep down, I know these cookies are beyond stellar and have been Mom-approved before, but the tha-thump-tha-thump of my heart isn’t going to believe it until I actually hear it from her. Fingers crossed! (5/12/14 UPDATE: SHE LOVED THESE COOKIES AND THIS POST YAY–I’m a worthwhile human being again!)

Until then, and in the grateful spirit of Mother’s Day, I’ve decided to write a list of completely honest truths that I want to share with my mom (who I hope is reading this right now!) and that you can read below. I hope you find it as sincere and apt as I did in writing it. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom–because we love everything about you, from your open integrity to your admirable, unwavering love for your entire family…

And that is the complete, honest truth. <3

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Ala

Are you celebrating Mother’s Day? What fun things do you have planned?

Mom’s Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie

Mom’s Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie

This classic chocolate chip cookie recipe is the only one my mom will have: chewy in the middle and crisp around the edges, it offers enough substance to hold its shape even when shipped and packed. Be creative with your add-ins and show the mom figure in your life how much she means to you!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter or margarine
  • 1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

  1. In a microwave safe bowl, heat butter until it just begins to melt--you'll need to watch the butter carefully to make sure it is very, very soft. (Don't worry if your butter does melt all the way--you'll simply need to refrigerate your dough longer. My mom prefers a less thick&chewy texture, so I don't melt my butter all the way because melting adds chewiness.)
  2. In a large bowl, cream together very soft butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.
  3. Mix in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until combined.
  4. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix in until just incorporated, perhaps with bits of flour still showing. Fold in oats, both chocolate chips, and coconut flakes.(Be sure not to overmix at this point, otherwise you'll end up with tough rather than crisp&chewy cookies!)
  5. Refrigerate dough for at least one hour (or in the freezer for 30 minutes) before baking.
  6. When you're almost ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet and roll out one-inch balls of dough. Place two inches apart on prepared sheet.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 9-12 minutes, until edges are set and golden brown, but centers are still soft. Remove from oven and allow to cool on stovetop for another 10 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
  8. Share these cookies with your mom and all of the awesome people in your life!

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24 Replies to “Mom’s Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie”

  1. What a sweet post! I loled at how you both love wiggling your butts when you’re bored. I’m trying to do it now, and I think I’m failing :p
    These cookies look divine! My mom doesn’t like sweet things (sadly) but I’m sure she would be delighted if I made these none the less.

    1. No, you’re probably doing it right if you look silly and feel very ridiculous 😛 I bet your mom would super appreciate the gesture, although maybe you should make her something salty and save these for yourself, then. Hehe. Thank you so much for stopping by, off to say hello at your blog too!

  2. Nothing warms my heart up faster than a chocolate chip cookie. And by the way, I am going to start calling them “CCCs” lol. Amazing! What a sweet note to your mom. I hope she has a wonderful mother’s day full of delicious cookies! Mom recipes are always the tastiest 🙂

    1. What, you mean the acronym CCC isn’t trending yet?! 😉 My mom just received my package and I’m still trembling because she hasn’t had a chance to try them yet, but I do love Mom-inspired recipes. I hope you have a fantastic Sunday, Allison!

  3. Absolutely wonderful. I loved it! Happy mother’s day to your mom. And the cookies look awesome. :O)

    1. Thanks so much, T.R.! I’ll send my readers’ good wishes along to her 😉 Glad you could stop by and I hope you have a fantastic Sunday yourself! <3

  4. Well, if your mom didn’t love you before (and you totally know she did), she will after she tastes these! Terrific looking cookie.

    1. Haha, that’s a good way to put it. Thanks, John–hope you have a fantastic week lined up!

  5. These look wonderful! I’m always on the lookout for a tasty new CCC recipe!

    1. Thanks, Paula–yes, I know what you mean (I must have at least 50 CCC recipes saved–woe is us food bloggers! 😉 or maybe not) So glad you could stop by! Have a fantastic week, Paula.

  6. Such a fun post. I’m not very good at accepting brutal honesty. I need it sugar coated a bit. Maybe it’s that sweet tooth of mine. This cookie sounds like a must try.

    1. I am SO glad it’s not just me, Barbara! I’ll take that with an extra coat of sugar, please, right? This cookie most definitely a must-try…so glad you could stop by today. Great to see you around, have a great week!

  7. Ala, I want to print this post out so that I can properly comment because there is so much to love and to say!!! Your mom is a total bad ass. Straight up. I am going to steal your mom’s definition of dignity because she is preaching the truth. I think I may be related to the two of you because I also love and hate most of the things in those lists (slow walkers! Gaaaaah they piss me off! Not only in amusement parks but everywhere. They’re like a virus that keeps multiplying). This is one of the best mother’s day tributes I’ve read on the blogosphere, ever. Of course you are a brilliant English PhD student (I’m so proud that I’m friends with someone as smart as you that I keep declaring that fact wherever I can) so every beautifully crafted word in this post shines. Fist bump for having a mom that tells it like it us and doesn’t sugar coat anything. It’s such an Asian parent thing to do. And even though your mom won’t say it, I’m sure she’s thrilled that you made a bazillion cookies in order to find the one that she liked best. They look fabulous!

    1. GIRL, you are killing me with kindness here! You are so an honorary family of the S family, although if you decide to join our ranks you’ll have to stop touting my (supposed) credentials; we tell it like it is here, and this is a Compliment-Free Zone 😉 Just kidding, your comments actually make flush with happiness (and maybe just a tad bit of embarrassment, but certainly the good kind! Thank you!). I’ll have to tell you more about how you made it onto my Wall of Smiles for your awesome post/comment today. Also, I thought of you today when I encountered a whole slew of slow walkers as I was rushing to class on my bike…I hope it’s not bad form to think “I *will* punch you” 15+ times over the course of about 2.356 minutes. Okay, I should stop spilling here before people read this and think we’re both utterly wacky. Happy wine Wednesday, Nance!

  8. Now these look like MY kind of cookies, too!!! I’m definitely going to try them ASAP!!! Visiting from Nancy’s blog…as any friend of hers is a friend of mine 🙂

    1. Hah, thanks Liz! This is so funny–I don’t know if Nance mentioned it to you, but when we met up we talked about bloggers we’ve met in real life and she mentioned your name, and I was like, “OMG cool, I love Liz’s blog!” I’m so glad you stopped by because now that you’re here, I’m not letting you go. (Just kidding–I guess legally I kind of have to…But I hope we can stay connected!) So glad to have you around, and I’m skipping off to connect with you on all those fun social media thingies now. And yes, please try these cookies and lmk if you love it as much as we do!

  9. Ala, I love this post! so cute that your mom is a CCC connoisseur. My mom doesn’t care much for sweets but she can throw down in the kitchen when it comes to Korean food. Wow, 11 batches?! Glad that you finally got one that she approved and loved! Cheers to you!

    1. Man, Alice, I could really use some of your mom’s Korean cooking right now! I don’t think I’ve ever had a homecooked Korean meal. What’s your favorite dish? And yes, my mom just sent an affirmation email today, phew! 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by, Alice. I’m really looking forward to staying in touch, I love checking out your blog!

  10. I see that coconut and oats sneaking in that CCC recipe, and I love it! I also feel that when you can get your mom to be that amazingly supportive like yours is, that’s such a great feeling!! And at the end of the day, we are so much more like our mothers than we realize.

    1. I’m all about sneaking things in, Shikha! Believe you me, I just threw all my leftover chips, pretzels, and Oreos into a second batch of these CCC’s tonight 😉 heh, I’d love to hear how you think you’re like your mom, too. I think it says a lot about a person when you listen to them describe the similarities (or vehement differences!).

  11. This was probably my most favorite “mothers day” post. Funny, and true, and delicious. Thank you for sharing these cookies with us!

    1. Hey, thanks so much Monet! I’m glad you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it, especially since I loved reading your blog as well. It’s great to have you stop by, I’m looking forward to keeping connected 🙂

  12. A lovely post to read 🙂 (and those cookies look pretty darn good too) Mothers Day is in March over here and I keep forgetting that it’s much later for you guys. Anyway, me and my mum love to wiggle our butts too. So happy butt-wiggling to you both!

    1. OMG Aimee your comment made me smile so big–do you two really?! I can’t believe it! I swear we were the only two people in the world with such a bizarre habit, but now I know I’ll *have* to keep up to date on your blog because I’ve found a fellow butt-wiggler. Tell your mum she’s dynamite, and you are too, girl!

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