My Book of Firsts #LookingForAlaskaContest

Entry - 1 - Non-Fiction: Chocolate Chip Cookies

I remember the first time I found the special place baking held in my life.

It doesn't seem like much, but to me, I can't explain how much happiness kneading bread dough with my hands covered in flour as music floods through the kitchen brings me.

The first time I made something from scratch was at least six years ago, it was a hot summer day and I was craving something sweet. Chocolate chip cookies to be more specific. A cool glass of milk and a hot gooey cookie just sounded like... mmm.

Naturally, I asked my mother if we had any and -obviously I would know the whereabouts of confectionaries if there were any in the house but of course, I was trying to pry into all mothers awesome powers to make things magically appear- she told me that no, we didn't.

Big surprise, my next question was if she could make some. Not so big surprise next; no. I don't blame her, it was quite a random request and she was probably busy doing much more important things.

The next question I asked was more surprising, however, which was if I could make some. She considered the question, then agreed and said I was more than welcome to so long as I cleaned up after myself after I was done; fair enough.

I think I can answer for everyone when I say that its a particularly different kind of happiness to have your mom or dad say yes to something you ask for, and it wasn't any different for me in this case.

The recipe book was opened, -after it was found of course- ingredients were gathered, the oven was preheated, and chocolate chips were -sort of- measured as they were poured into the bowl.

Ten to fourteen minutes later the house smelled like heaven and I was rushing around looking for oven mitts to take the precious cookies out.

Suffice to say I never forgot the satisfaction and happiness that first bake brought me, and just about every cookie recipe later, a bunch of failed cupcakes, and at least four chocolate cakes later I felt accomplished enough to finally call myself an amateur baker.

The next thing I tackled was sweetbreads and now I'm trying my hand at the more complex loaves of herb bread and their more malleable savory sides.

Like I said before, my love for baking doesn't exactly affect the outside world but it matters to me, so I'll never forget this particular first and the hero who started it all.

The simple but classic chocolate chip cookie.