I started right away! Same day I bought the stand and app!

The app is pretty cool. Clean, large pictures, everything looks tasty, some videos (!), and baking tips (I need them).

For my first cookie, I wanted something I couldn’t fuck up. Something with just a few ingredients and nothing fancy. I’m not ready for frosting. I’m also not ready for any kind of chocolate dipping. Or powered sugar. I didn’t choose chocolate chip because I’ve ruined those before. I went with Flourless (good idea) Peanut-Chocolate Chip.

7 ingredients. Awesome. I can do this.

Here’s what they’re supposed to look like (app screenshot):

Yum, right? I’m feeling inspired. I can make this shit happen.

Step 1: Gather my things

Some bowls for my ingredients, measuring spoons, measuring cups, my iPad and new accessories.

Step 2: Measure out the ingredients and make them photogenic. 

Slightly beaten egg, sugar, peanuts, chocolate chips, salt, baking soda, peanut butter. That’s 7, right?

Step 3: Throw it all into the Kitchenaid mixer, beat until smooth. (I assume that means come back in a few minutes)

Aaaaand…it looks okay (phew!)

Step 4: Mix in peanuts and chocolate chips (I forgot to take a picture)

Step 5:  With (the world’s grossest word) moist hands, roll dough, about 1 heaping tablespoon, into balls.

This should have yielded 2 dozen cookies. I got…17.
 

I fucked something up. Why did I only get 17? Did I use enough peanut butter? I decided not to worry about it and just bake them.

Oh, I was supposed to put them on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. I didn’t have any so I thought, “I’ll just use wax paper. Same thing, right?” Kristina suggested Googling it.

A couple reasons not to substitute wax paper for parchment paper:

• If you use it in the oven, it smokes (I think the battery is dead in the smoke detector)
• Wax will melt and stick to food (OMG yum, crayon-flavored cookies!)

So, instead I used 1 pan with Pam For Baking spray and 1 pan with a Silpat. How will this affect the cookies? We’ll see.

Step 6: Put the cookie sheets in the pre-heated 350-degree oven. 

They made it in. I feel successful already.

Step 7: Rotate sheets halfway through (7 mins)

I have no clue why. Anyone know the purpose of rotating them? Please comment.

DING! Or, more like BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Step 8: Remove from oven, don’t burn self. 

OMG THEY LOOK GOOD! I MIGHT NOT HAVE SCREWED THIS UP!

Step 9: Cool. Look damn good holding them.

Now, the ultimate trial. The roommate taste test. 

Kristina’s official review: “mmm” 

The cookies on the Silpat turned out perfect. The ones on the sprayed sheet were a little extra brown on the bottom.

I did it! They’re good! 1 down, lots to go! I hope you’re proud, Mom. Seriously, I hope you read this.

What did I learn?

• It’s smart to Google something before deciding to try it.
• I need better lighting for photographing my food. I had a total of 5 lights in the room (including the 3 overhead).
• It takes longer to bake when you spend time photographing it. I don’t care.
• Next time, I’ll keep track of how long it takes from start to finish.