One of my earliest and fondest memories of my Me'mere had to be her Toll House Cookies. There was something magical about the way she combined butter, sugar, flour, eggs, walnuts, and chocolate chips. My Aunt Michelle has done a fairly decent job duplicating the flavor, but for a long time I have been of the opinion that something was missing. I decided it was time to try and figure out what.
Toll House Cookies, as some of you may know were originally invented by Ruth Baker of Massachusetts in 1930. She and her husband owned and operated a Toll House where hundreds of people would stop and pay a toll, take some rest, and enjoy a home cooked meal. (Makes me wish that toll booths offered such hospitality in modern days.)
While making cookies, one day, Ruth decided to mix in chocolate bits; thinking the chocolate would melt and form a swirl-like pattern. Of course the chocolate did not melt quite that way, but the end result was one that made history, and will be remembered, at least by me and my family for hundreds of years to come.
Last month, my co-workers orchestrated a cookie swap. Sixteen of us made eight dozen specific cookies and exchanged them a week before Christmas. I was happy to pick my Me'mere's Toll House Cookies, and was hopeful that I would be able to make them as well as she did. My mother helped arm me properly for the attempt by informing me that Me'mere always made the cookies by evenly mixing light and dark brown sugar.
Unfortunately for my great-grandmother's legacy I did not succeed in my first attempt. I discovered after the fact that Jumbo sized eggs are not ideal for the original cookie recipe. Not being as experienced in the art of cookie-making I did not compensate for the excess moisture with extra flour. The cookies came out a little cake-like and somewhat flat. The taste was there, and the first one almost made me cry from the nostalgia. However, the texture wasn't quite right. I pressed on though, through the eight dozen cookies I made at my friend Dee's house; and did all that I could think of to ensure they came out well.
Today though, in my new residence, in my own kitchen, I hit the nail on the head...and drove it in with one stroke. My new roommates liked the cookies, I liked them, and what's more I have my Me'mere's giant cupcake cookie jar to fill with them. I can remember it being in her house, and I am filled with happy memories and the belief that if my Me'mere were alive today she might be proud of me and my desire to bring a little sweetness to the home I have been welcomed to.
Love you, Me'mere!
