CT, Me, and a TOP SECRET ingredient

At some point during this past week, I opened my email to find a message from my brother-in-law, CT. I was immediately surprised, because CT and I usually don't do the email thing. So, I opened it. It simply read. . .

That was it.

Uh - oh. I vaguely remember promising CT cookies. Yep, I think it had something to do with a visit to Costco that he and my sister were taking in which I convinced them to pick up a few items for me (and by a few items, I mean about 20 . . . including toilet paper . . . and for anyone who is not familiar with Costco, 20 items . . . including toilet paper . . . could easily mean multiple shopping carts. I guess 20 items would have been bad enough, but I think it really got him when I called them multiple times while they were shopping, just to add more items to my list. I know, I know. I've got some nerve. But, hey, he was getting cookies out of me - so, it wasn't for nothing!!) Ok. Back to the story.

So, CT sends me that email (and the red line is crossing out my very special TOP SECRET INGREDIENT, which I will address further down in this post), and I email him back with something like, "Yeah, yeah, I'll bake your cookies. You'll have them within 7 days. Yadda yadda yadda." I hit send, and off it goes.

Amazing how the whole promise of baking cookies escaped my mind the minute I hit send. Hmmm ... darn email. So, this morning as I sit down to check up on all my blog friends and off to check my email, I find yet another email from my brother-in-law. Ok, this guy is getting on my nerves now. ;) This one says . . .

That was it.

So, after a voice mail message to my brother-in-law informing him that I did not have the SECRET INGREDIENT (and after dear sister and brother-in-law stopped by to deliver the SECRET INGREDIENT), I found myself in the kitchen today baking chocolate cookies for CT. Yes, I'm a lady of my word. It may take constant reminders and even delivery of secret items . . . but I WILL come through!

I don't know if I've ever told you, but I bake a pretty fanTAStic Chocolate Chip Cookie. The recipe belonged to my Great-Aunt Stelle, and I have sort of taken on the roll of Master Chocolate Chip Cookie baker in our family through the years. I mean, I don't want to toot my own horn . . . but man, these cookies are gOOd!!! Mrs. Fields who???? And while I can't let you in on all of the secrets of this recipe, I will share a few photos of the baking process with you.

Like all good things in life, it begins with BUTTER (aka BUTTAH). Here is a picture of BUTTAH. . . .

And, because BUTTAH is SO GOOD, here is a bigger picture for you . . . .

That's better. I mean, if you're gonna do it . . . let's do it RIGHT, ok??

After adding all the necessary stuff (the sugars, eggs, oil ... yes, a little oil in addition to the butter ... the milk ... yes, a little milk ... vanilla, flour, soda, salt), you then add the really TOP SECRET ingredient. It's SO TOP SECRET, that I had to blur the next photo before posting it. Take a look anyway. Can you see what it is?

Hmmmmm . . . you're close. You might have even guess right. But, I'll never tell!!

(That's me ... never telling ... and also me taking a really dorky picture of myself while I was baking. Just had to include it! Plus, I was having a good hair day today - so I always have to celebrate those, right?)

Ok, now, back to the recipe. After the dough is ready, the cookies head to the oven . . .

Any idea on those TOP SECRET INGREDIENTS? There are actually TWO of them in this recipe, and boy-oh-boy, my family LOVES THEM!!!

After the regular baking time, the cookies are removed and placed on the cooling rack. It's usually at this point that the smell of these beauties have traveled through the house and my little ones (PG included) follow the scent to the kitchen where they ask for one (or two, or three, or four.)

I was playing with my photography skills again, and took this next photo with a bunch of the cookies on top of each other. The only thing missing is a tall glass of milk . . . I'm licking my lips just LOOKING at this photo . . .

I mean, seriously, don't they look delicious? Mouthwatering good, I tell ya. So as soon as they are finished, I pack up a lovely little goodie box for our CT, and leave him a message at home telling him that his cookies are ready. . .

I'm telling you . . .  within 1 hour of the message, he is at my kitchen table eating a cooking and giving me thumbs up. What a guy!

I have to say that I am pretty lucky to have CT for my brother (in-law). He is always there for my family whenever we need him, he has a heart of gold, and he makes my sister the happiest I have ever seen. So, I guess if all he needs is some Chocolate Chip Cookies from time to time, well, then that is the least I can do for him!

Hope you are enjoying the cookies, CT!  Oh, and if you could call me when you are heading to Costco again ... I might need you to pick up a few things for me. I would really appreciate it! ;)

Any ideas on the secret ingredients? Leave me a comment with what you think they are . . .