Topic outline

  • Blue Ribbon Chocolate Chip Cookies

    So you want to bake for your friends, family, and self?  That is great news!

    In this project we will practice making chocolate chip cookies that are ensured to earn you a blue ribbon at county fair or with your family and friends, as long as you follow the directions.

    No prior experience needed, just follow the directions, practice and recruit some friends to help you taste test and enjoy!

    To complete the project - please do all of the items in each of the sections (you may check off boxes as you do them, and you will notice the discussion boxes self-check when you do the activity requested.  Each section includes a:

    1. "Discussion" - a chance to chat with others, please answer the Q and then respond to one other person <you don't have to have a long reply - okay to say something like - "cool idea" or "that has happened to me">
    2. "Lesson" - read or watch the information that is shared, and do the activity.
    3. "Check-in" - the check-in is a little knowledge check (not a quiz!) - you can do this as many times as you want.  


    When the project week is finished, I'll send out a survey to complete.  Please complete this project by 10/30.

  • 1. Baking is a Science

    When my kids were little, I would have them complete the sentence..."Cooking is an art, but baking is a ____________".  At that, they would roll their eyes a bit and say "SCIENCE"!  This fill in the blank phrase was intended to help them to remember that the main ingredients in recipes each have a purpose (for example - baking soda will help your baked good to rise or "leaven") - and when accurately measured and added, the results of a tried and true recipe are just what you expect.  Some ingredients can be switched out for flavor or texture...but the ingredients are like a formula - if you are expecting a certain result - you need to follow the formula.  Your kitchen is a great laboratory!

    In this project, I'm inviting you to pay attention to the details on a tried and true Carmichael family chocolate chip recipe.  If you want to mix things up a bit - go for it, but pay close attention to what you have done...and make notes about what you change so that you can repeat your results next time. 

    • Lesson: Measuring, Ingredients, and You

      Think about what you have do to accurately measure, what purpose ingredients play in your recipe, and how to keep your food and family safe from food-borne illness.  Talk amongst your family about safe practices like washing hands, and cleaning surfaces.   Ask each other about ingredients, and the purposes common ingredients play (and how to make substitutions for food allergies or preferences). Next, take out some measuring tools and practice with them.   It is okay to practice these skills without baking anything at all!  

      In our 4-H club, we often talk about the following steps:

      • Wash your hands
      • Clean surfaces before and after
      • Start with fresh ingredients
      • Measure liquids with a liquid measure, and dry ingredients with measuring cups
      • Level off your ingredients when measuring
      • Break eggs with a straight edge (butter knife works well) for fewer eggshells in your baked goods


      Some teens in Cayuga County put together the following video a couple of years ago to promote the 4-H Produced in New York cooking demonstration and share a few tips for skill-building.   See if you see anyone you know... :)  (ignore dates that refer to Produced in New York it is an old reference).

  • 2. Let's Make Cookies

    Often times we bake, without getting ready to bake.  I spent years getting supplies out just as was getting ready to use them...sometimes forgetting an ingredient because of the confusion (just being honest).  A good practice is to gather your supplies and cooking tools, pre-heat the oven and wash your hands...all before you start to bake.  This will help you to manage any surprises (for example, you don't want to be surprised by the fact that you don't have any chocolate chips in the house as you are in the midst of baking chocolate chip cookies - especially if you are baking after local store is closed).

    Below is our family chocolate chip cookie recipe - one that we've worked on over the years.  It has earned blue ribbons, been sold at many bake sales, and given to our friends and families.  I find it funny, but maybe revealing, that this is cookie that friends ask for more than anything else that we bake (and I love to bake!).

    • Lesson: Time to make cookies!

      In addition to gathering your ingredients - be sure to gather: parchment paper, a scooper (I use an ice cream scooper), and any measuring tools you might need.  You might also want to take out your butter or margarine in advance - so that it can soften.  Check out the tutorial below to see some tips for making the cookies.


      Chocolate Chip Cookies

      3/4 cup granulated sugar
      3/4 cup packed brown sugar
      1 cup shortening, butter or margarine, softened (we often mix 1/2 cup butter with 1/2 cup of shortening) 
      1 egg
      2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (you can also mix in other types of flour - we often use 1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat or oat flour for a different flavor)
      1 teaspoon baking soda
      1/2 teaspoon salt
      1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)
      1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips - this is around 2 cups.  We often mix semisweet with milk chocolate and vary the size of the chips)

      Directions:
      • Heat oven to 375 degrees.
      • Mix sugars, butter/shortening/fats + egg in a large bowl.  Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt (dough will be stiff).  Stir in nuts (if desired) and chocolate chips.
      • Spoon into equal portions using a tablespoonful or ice-cream scooper, roll and flatten.
      • Place on ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper - 2" or so apart from one another.
      • Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack. 
      • Total cooking time will vary.  Baking time is per batch.

    • How about adding some math fun to this project?   I've found that I rarely make a single batch of chocolate chip cookies.  In addition to making more cookies to share - doubling a recipe gives everyone a chance to practice adding fractions.  You have to admit - it is easy to see why fractions matter when you are making cookies!  3/4 cup of sugar + 3/4 of a cup of sugar = ?   

      Afraid that a double batch is just too much?  Fun fact: cookie dough freezes well (pre-roll into balls so that you can take out just a few at a time and make warm cookies after school very easily)!

      Watch the video below for some tips from our kitchen, with a focus on doubling the recipe.

  • 3. Share Your Success

    Well, how did it go?  There are so many good things about baking - I'm curious to hear about your experiences.   Did you know that talking about your interests will help you to consider your next project?  A sure-fire way to keep learning and growing about baking is to talk it, read and explore new recipes, try new recipes, keep notes about what works, and what doesn't, journal, or-photo document your progress!  

    Please do share your results with your friends and families...and feel free to post on social media with the hashtag #blueribbonchocolatechipcookies 

    • Lesson: What will your next goal be?

      How do you set goals?  I tend to write lists, and keep journals where I can also doodle.  I keep a calendar to schedule upcoming cooking and baking <this ensures that I put ingredients on the grocery list> - and find writing down my ideas helps me to (remember LOL to) talk to other people and to set intentions for what is next.  You may have your own favorite way to do that. 

      Watch this little video - it is a good reminder that YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!  

    • Thank you so much for participating in this online learning project with me and with each other!  I really hope that our family favorite recipe becomes your family favorite recipe.  Be sure to complete the closing survey.  I'll write back to you in a couple of weeks to share the results of this project.  In the meantime...

      Set your goals: Jot down your next baking goals in your journal or wherever you write your ideas (it's okay to say that you want to make chocolate chip cookies again or that you want to take a break).  Your ideas are your own!  Talk to your family and friends to help you consider your next steps.  The good thing to know is that you can do it!   

      Bon appetit!