There’s nothing like being paid to do what you love. Not that I have been paid to bake, but I’ve been given money to buy ingredients, which is almost as good!
This Saturday in Australia we have a federal election. And on that day, churches and community groups around town will be using the opportunity to do a little fund-raising. The church I’m currently attending is one of those groups, setting up a bouncy castle, face painting and a trading table in order to make people feel welcome as they attend the polling booth to vote.
When one of the ladies found out that I love baking, and that I’m a little bored during the days (while I look for work), she realised the potential, and asked if I’d be interested in making biscuits and slices for selling if she gave me the money for ingredients. I jumped at the chance, after all I’d decided that all this baking was detrimental to my budget, and it had to stop!
Yesterday I made a large batch of choc chip cookies, with a recipe I’ve had since high school. Hopefully they make a killing, and bring joy to someone’s tummy.
Choc-Chip Cookies
Makes about 100
500g butter
2 cups dark brown sugar
1 ½ cups white sugar
6 cups plain flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 cups chocolate chips
Method:
Preheat oven to 180degC (350degF). Sift flour, baking soda and salt together into a bowl, and whisk the eggs with vanilla essence in a jug. With an electric beater, cream together butter with sugars until light and fluffy, and then mix in egg and flour mixtures alternately. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. The dough should end up dry and sticky. Form into balls and flatten slightly with fingers onto trays lined with baking paper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven, allow to cool for a few minutes before transfering to a rack to cool completely.