Adaptation of The Original Nestlé® Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

This famous classic American cookie needs no introduction. This is AJ's adaptation of the recipe from Nestlé USA. Go to their site for official recipe, which calls for granulated sugar.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 8 minutes (* See cooks note)
Total preparation time: 25 minutes
Serving number: 60 (LOL! I'm lucky if I get 24, 4-bite cookies.)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups / 300 g All purpose flour (or plain flour)
1 tsp / 1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp / 1 tsp Salt
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda [extra when using splenda]

1 cup / 200 g Butter (softened (or shortening))
3/4 cup / 150 g SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
2/3 cup / 150 g SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend
2 tsp / 2 tsp Vanilla extract
2 large / 2 large Eggs

2 cups / 300 g NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi sweet chocolate morsels (* See cooks note)

Preparation steps:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, dry milk and baking powder in a small bowl.
3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
6. Stir in the NESTLÉ Toll House morsels.
7. Drop by rounded spoonful onto ungreased baking sheets.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool.

COOKS NOTE(s):

• AJ uses Hershey's Sugar Free  Milk Chocolate Baking Pieces.
• Baking time will be much less, sometimes 7 minutes when the oven is really hot. Take out of oven when bottom of cookie is starting to brown.

Did you know that chocolate chip cookies were invented in Massachusetts in 1937?

 - Wm. Stafford, The Way It Is, New & Selected Poem, 1998

I receive my horoscope every morning and I want to talk about the trend I've seen over the past week.

I receive the email through AOL [http://horoscopes.aol.tarot.com/astrology/daily-horoscope]

Thursday, Jul 23rd, 2009 -- Overcoming your self-doubt can be hard work for you, but today your brilliance can outshine any negativity. However, you can get into trouble if you lose sight of the impact your presence has on others. You may be able to talk yourself out of your insecurity, but then you could come on so strong that you overstep someone's boundaries. A moderate approach that avoids extremes will work best for you now.

Friday, Jul 24th, 2009 -- You have a lot on your mind now, but may find it most efficient to keep all the loose ends to yourself because they are easier to manage if you don't tell anyone else what's going on. However, don't be surprised if something slips or if others catch wind of the drama you're trying to keep in the closet. Regardless of your fears, it might feel better for all involved once the truth is out.  

Saturday, Jul 25th, 2009 -- It feels good when you know what your limits are and what you must do. But a secret part of you wants to bust out of your current situation and do something completely different. Instead of suppressing your fantasy and turning it into an unconscious obsession, think about moving your life just a bit closer to your dream. It's not an all-or-nothing proposition; every little step helps.

Sunday, Jul 26th, 2009 -- You may be ambivalent about a family matter, but it's not because you don't care. Instead, you are so concerned that you see the advantages and disadvantages of more than one solution. You may even reach a point of frustration today and walk away from the whole thing. Don't give up so soon. It would be better to make a choice, even if you aren't one hundred percent sure.

Monday, Jul 27th, 2009 -- Your imagination is pulling you all over the map today, but you would prefer to sink into your feelings before you fix on one thing and take off. It's easy now for you to get distracted by someone or something unimportant, but it's also difficult for you to define your priorities. Your wisest strategy is to settle in and strengthen your roots without losing sight of the pleasure you derive from your dreams.

Highlights

Thursday: A moderate approach that avoids extremes will work best for you now.
Friday: ...keep all the loose ends to yourself because they are easier to manage if you don't tell anyone else what's going on.
Saturday: Instead of suppressing your fantasy and turning it into an unconscious obsession, think about moving your life just a bit closer to your dream.
Sunday: ...better to make a choice, even if you aren't one hundred percent sure.
Monday: Your wisest strategy is to settle in and strengthen your roots without losing sight of the pleasure you derive from your dreams.

Do you agree with my synopsis: It's better for me to lay low and focus on getting all of the work that needs to be done and not stress, or worse, fantasize about stuff, to much. Moving to a lifestyle closer to my dream, is it worth it? ...damn right, it is! It's also a very brief escape ... worth every thought filled molecule of energy to expended and enjoyed. Stepping away for a second or seven and returning refreshed and relaxed.

COMMENT!