One Bowl – mythankfultable.com

Siblings and Skillet Cookies

February 9, 2021 by chrissy@mythankfultable.com

True story, my brother is one of the funniest and tender hearted people I know. As kids, we used to fight a lot. We were your average born in the 70’s, four-square and kickball in the neighborhood, come home when the street lights turned on kids. We rode our bikes and got lost in the woods. We fought over who would sit in the front seat, who’s feet got to rest on the bar under the table, and lord only knows what else. But mostly, even when we were arguing, we were laughing.

He was organized, I was not. He was the math brain, I wrote stories. He loved video games, I didn’t. We were different, for sure. But family is like that. I see it in my own two children- their similarities and differences, and the way they laugh and look out for each other amongst those things.

I will say this, when I had my wisdom teeth removed, he held half of the ice pack for me in the car ride home. (Thankful we didn’t have cell phones or for sure he would have recorded me).

When my children lost their father, he jumped on a plane to meet us. For the rest of my life I will remember the sense of relief when he walked into that funeral home. One spot of lightness amidst chaos.

He’s that kind of man.

The gift of being older is instead of seeing your differences, you see the similarities and honor the wonderful things you find in your siblings the longer you share this life’s journey.

Now we exchange parenting stories. We both enjoy leadership roles, and have puppies, and even give each other a heads-up and great podcasts or books we’ve listened to and read. I trust him implicitly with the stuff I share. And we both have a Momma we love and joke with. There are moments when I am down and I will call or FaceTime my brother just because I know I will feel better when I hang up. There is a fellowship in sibling hood that is singular in nature.

So, when on one of the many social media platforms on which we follow each other my brother sends a picture of a larger than life skillet cookie, I ask for the recipe. When he sends it to me from Tiktok, I slowly rewatch so I can catch all of the ingredients because, hey we are in the middle of the longest, loneliest winter in the middle of the pandemic, and sometimes, the concept of a skillet cookie is magical.

Who am I kidding, when is a skillet cookie NOT magical?

This is a one-bowl cookie dough you press into a skillet and bake. It is beautifully crispy on the edges and soft and tender in the middle. I, of course changed stuff up and added extra things because I am me. I did not add walnuts (even though that addition would have been amazing) because my children do not like walnuts in dessert. I did add butterscotch chips because they add a little extra something that was delicious, but not necessary. You can mix up the add ins because there are no rules to this cookie except you eat it warm (it is just as good fully cooled but I recommend heating it up a bit first). I also suggest a good quality ice cream. listen, if we are going there, let’s go big.

I think, if the last year has taught us anything, it is the importance of loved ones and spending time with them. We are fortunate to live in a time where technology makes seeing someone half way across the country in a heartbeat possible. Where we can see the funny faces that go with the sarcasm. Where we can check in to see how someone is and laugh as well. If we can share a recipe along the way, aren’t we blessed?

As always, I hope you enjoy this recipe, and thank you for coming to the table.

Chrissy

(Click on link below for full recipe)

Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Skillet Cookie

Print Recipe

This one bowl mix cookie dough is easy to make and so delicious. You need to get a bowl and scoop of ice cream ready! you are going to want to eat this when it has sightly cooled, but still warm.

Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

Scale

16 Tablespoons of butter (2 sticks)
1 1/2 Cup packed Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup White Sugar
1 Egg
1 Egg Yolk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 1/4 Cups Flour
2 Cups Chocolate Chips or Chunks
Additional add ins:
- Chopped Walnuts or Pecans
- White Chocolate Chips
- Butterscotch Chips (Which I used in my recipe – 1-2 Cups)

Instructions

In the skillet you plan to cook the cookie in, melt two sticks of butter. You can continue to cook until the butter is browned to add another layer of flavor. Set aside to cool.
While butter is cooling add sugars to a bowl, then add melted cool butter to sugars and mix.
Combine with vanilla extract, egg and egg yolk, and dry ingredients.
Stir in chocolate chips, additional add ins (I added 1 -1 1/2 cups of Butterscotch chips)
Preheat oven to 350*
Press combined cookie dough into pan.
Bake in 350* oven for 15 Minutes (If you think it is too doughy you can cook additionally but it should be slightly doughy in the center.

Dad’s Macaroons

September 5, 2017 by chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Coconut Macaroons

So this weekend I became the official owner of my Father’s vehicle. Which, if you know me is bittersweet. Awesome because I was gifted a vehicle.

Not awesome because it belonged to my Dad.

Who should be driving it himself.

Preferably to go play golf.

If you knew Cliff, he was the perfect mix of grumpy and kind. Mostly grumpy, but the kind part outshined enough to make you say, “Yeah, that’s Cliff.” He was a nursing administrator at a hospital, lead by example, didn’t say more than what needed to be said, listened, problem solved, worked hard, played hard. Loved. Quietly.

When I needed to move home, my parents rearranged their life, let us take over their house, and start over. It enabled me to go back to school for my Masters, and again for my Sixth Level. When I was accepted into the program for my MFA in Writing, I asked my Dad, “Do you really want to sign on for two more years with us?” He did his Dad grin and said, “Get it done.”

Momma’s Goodness

I always call my Dad my anchor and my Mom my nest. Where Mom wants to know how she can help, and jumps in, makes it safe and supportive (more on Norma in another post) Cliff would say, “You need to do this.” Then he would anticipate you to do the right thing. Now.

Coconut Macaroon Batter

I’d be writing papers at two am after I fell asleep putting the kids to bed, and he’d peek my doorway to see if I was ok. He’d nod his head, then leave. That was my Dad.

When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, We put on our brave faces, asked, “What can we do to help?” and did what we needed to do. We did this for less than a year.

He never complained. Not. Once.

He passed the first week in November. His Christmas cards were already addressed.

The following part is hard to say, but as his daughter, I am so thankful he went as he did.

With dignity and the best quality of life his diagnosis could have offered.

But, as his daughter, I still wake up, almost three years later, and wish I had him for one more day.

Coconut Macaroon Cookies

The best grieving advice I ever got was from my oldest friend, who said, “You expect Christmas to be hard. You don’t anticipate Tuesday to be hard.” I guess that’s just grief. Like an ocean tide, coming in and going out.

When he bough the car, he told my mom, “Give it to Chrissy, then she will be set for awhile.” The paperwork was lined up, all set to go. That’s the kind of Dad I had.

It took me three years to make it mine.

And it has heated seats. My old Honda doesn’t have heated anything!

Sometimes when I cook, or bake, it isn’t because I even want to eat it. (It’s TRUE). Sometimes it serves a higher purpose.

Where some people dread the task of food prep, there is a simple, therapeutic, peaceful beauty to time in my kitchen. I welcome it. It’s my Sunday post church, church, if you know what I mean. Some Sundays, it is my church.

Coconut Macaroon Cookies

The very last recipe my Dad shared with me was for his all time favorite cookie, the Coconut Macaroon.

Baked Coconut Macaroon Cookies

Due to his type of cancer, at one point eating became really difficult. So, when he was able to have a macaroon for the first time again, it was a good sign. Temporary, but I am so thankful for those cookies and what they meant for my father.

SO this rainy morning, even though I am sad, I am thankful. Thankful for the Dad I had as long as I did. Thankful he loved to cook and shared that with me. Thankful for the anchor I was blessed enough to know.

It seems fitting I bake his favorite cookies, doesn’t it?

These are a simple, non piped, chewy, basic macaroon. Mix in one bowl, chill if you like but don’t need to, drop on parchment, and bake cookie. It’s a sweeter cookie, so one is enough. Ok, eat the second one too.

A cookie recipe of few words. Unlike this post. So much like my Dad.

If you aren’t a fan of coconut. I know you are out there. It’s ok. You don’t have to like it or make them. But, I wish for you love and anchors and nests in your life. If you didn’t have one, that you’ll become one, and that our hearts are thankful. Every day a gift.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table.