A Cookie Approach to Cupcakes

Ever feel like you want a cupcake, but don't really know how to make cupcakes? Or, perhaps you are like me and really just want the frosting with some sort of edible base? I bake cookies A LOT and on some occasions bake cupcakes.

I personally really love chocolate cupcakes with lots of chocolate frosting. This craving came up in our house recently and we did what any lazy baker would; use the frosting recipe you know and then make a chocolate cookie you are familiar with!

The beauty of this is, you can use this combination with any type of cookie or frosting you enjoy. Frosting is pretty simple - typically butter, vanilla, milk, powdered sugar, etc. I have used this combination to make chocolate cookies with vanilla peppermint filling and of course, double chocolate chip with chocolate frosting (below). With so many recipes available at your fingertips, you can make about any combination!

Wherefore art thou, cookie?

I love cookies. But, despite how often I make these at home, I do not always have them with me! When I am out and about, I like to pair my lunch with something sweet at the end. Or, in many cases, I just want a good cookie!

Overtime, I have realized I have my go-to's for cookies. My hope is to document these findings so I know where to spend my time where to not waste it!

Below are a few of my go-to's. I know each time I go, I will be happy with the offering. I go to plenty of other places, but they just don't quite stack up. I hope to update this as I discover more places! Keep in mind, much of this is limited to AZ, but there certainly are chains here that should carry over to other states! I may even do some videos to talk through these in the future.

Potbelly Sandwiches - Good variety and made fresh daily. Love the oatmeal chocolate chip! And, an ice cream sandwich, what??

Firehouse Subs - Always a nice way to end lunch, good sandwiches too!

Subway - Been a staple for a while, though I am not as big into their sandwiches.

Insomnia Cookies - Limited locations, but super good. I had these in NYC for the first time and grab some whenever I am in town. Recently a store was opened in Tucson and Tempe is coming soon!!

My Cookie Timeline

A friend asked me for a timeline of my cookie baking experience. My love for cookies started at a young age. I have tried a lot of them over time. Here is a snap shot of memories in finding a great cookie and the right recipe.

1984 (approx.) Tried to moisten cookies that were very over done, black.
1992 - 1996 Short stint of making mom's recipes, frequently no choco chips - disasters
1997 - Bismarck, North Dakota - discovered the best cookie I had to date at a mall
2001 - Recipe from my sister, worked well compared to others I tried
Early 2003 - cookies used to court my "dream wife", eaten by her roommates and none for her. I made these again and she got some. Also, she married me!
Late 2003 - New recipe found in a college cook book, was new found hope for greatness
2005 - Best packaged cookie I ever ate, library vending machine (Otis Spunkmeyer Express)
2007 - New recipe shared by sister, then altered to make current recipe

Passion for a Perfect Cookie

I was about 5 yrs. old when I dumped a pitcher of water on a sheet of blackened, overdone cookies. Somehow I was responsible for pulling them out of the oven. Was it because the sheet was hot and my first reaction was to cool it down? Or, was it just my gut reaction to return moisture to these blackened and abandoned, could-have-been delicious cookies? I think it was the latter.

That is where it all began; the quest for a perfect cookie. I have tasted a lot of cookies in my day, and with each experience I came closer to finding the perfect one. Keep in mind, that journey was not always enjoyable. Have you ever eaten a cookie so laden with baking soda that you could feel your teeth being cleaned in the process of chewing/crushing it? How about biting into a cookie just to get a visit from the tooth fairy the next morning? And the worst scenario, biting into a cookie and anticipating chocolate chips only to taste raisins? Ever hear of wolves in sheep's clothing?

Even when you do get a pretty good cookie figured out, there are so many ways to make a cookie. I could go on and on about preferences, textures, margarin vs. butter, cakey vs. flat, chewy vs. crunchy, and the list goes on. So many preferences and so many different ways to make them.

I was able to make the cookie that was perfect for my preferences, thanks to a large amount of research (ok, eating a lot of cookies) and recipes from books, friends, family members, with some modification. I am grateful for that experience. The high sand the lows. For the most part, many enjoy my cookies and that makes me even more happy!

My preference is relatively flat, crisp outside, chewy center. I enjoy the compliment of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with the sweet sugary taste of the cookie. I like a cookie that can hold its own structurally, but once the walls are broken down, nothing but love and deliciousness is set free...a moment of the taste buds first finding a soul mate.

So, whenever I am given "advice" on how to make cookies, in my mind I think, "I don't need advice on making cookies when I am making my dreams come true with every batch." - well something like that. I have been down the road of passion, hope, love, and betrayal. I have tasted the best and possibly the worst. So, do not come to me telling me about the recipe I would "LOVE" without knowing my story. Do not eat my cookies and then tell me "Oh, you need to try this other recipe that is out of this world!" Well, first off, you're welcome for the cookies that took me my lifetime to perfect, but I am willing to entertain this discussion because clearly these did not meet your preferences.

Ok, sorry for the rant. I support those that have other preferences, let's just be respectful of each other's. Lines often blur between preferences and good recipes. Good recipes are only good for me if they line up according to my preferences. So, who ultimately decides what a good cookie is? Well, for me, I decide that. I found what works best for me, my family, and many friends. That is what cookies are all about!