Jenny's Double Chocolate Experiment

About author / Christine Gable

Culinary enthusiast; kids cuisine and slow cooking; magazine recipe developer; professional writer. Her simple recipes are great for family dinners.

“Mommy, I feel like baking tonight.”

Really! What are you thinking of making?

“I’d like to experiment with some sugar cookies. Chocolate fudge sugar cookies.”

Mmm. Sounds delicious. Would you like to look for a recipe?

“No, Mommy—I’d like to try making one of my own.”

What are you thinking of putting in your cookies?

“Butter, flour, sugar and chocolate … what else do you think I’d need? … Can I try making them, Mom … can I?”

You get the idea. Who can say no to that? Gosh—just pair chocolate and cookie in the same breath and I’m a goner. Say that you’re gonna bake something warm and gooey for me and I’m in there.

Yes, that’s how the great cookie experiment evening began. Would the cookies be successful? Only time would tell. For the moment she was busy pulling out the flour, the sugar, the vanilla … and asking what else should be in those sugar cookies. Hmmm. I suggested adding an egg, some butter or oil, and some baking soda. Of course, when dealing with liquid ingredients, how to know how much milk to add? Or even how much baking powder or butter, come to think of it … That’s where experimentation and a natural feel for the ingredients come in.

Never fear, the creative spirit lives on in our kitchen. With just a wise estimate and some give and take here and there, all was lookin’ good.

And it didn’t take long. In less than 20 minutes we were noshing on Jenny’s chocolate sugar cookies. And yes, that’s one recipe that wasn’t even in existence yesterday.

Do your kids like to experiment in the kitchen? Does it give you a good feeling—or a sinking one—when your kids ask to experiment in the kitchen? Would you even consider setting your kids loose in the kitchen with a recipe?

How about without one?

Egads, right?

I say think again.

Sometimes starting out from the very beginning is what it’s all about. Indeed, one of the best things about children is their inquisitive nature—and this naturally leads them to explore like a scientist. And it’s that natural curiosity that keeps their active bodies and brains in such continuous motion, day-in and day-out. So instead of trying to stymie that creativity—and trying to make them do it our way—or no way at all, I invite you to take a deep breath and to try encouraging some playful kitchen creativity.

Now I’m not talking about allowing a rampage, or crazy destruction. No, I’m talking about exploratory experimentation—with just enough hands-on help or a word or two of advisement and assistance so that it doesn’t get out of hand.

What would your kids like to cook today?

Take one kid, add some everyday kitchen ingredients, a dash of imagination and stir well with trust and kind words of encouragement. It’s a recipe that’s destined to build self-confidence and reliance when served liberally in any kitchen.

Perhaps the latest, greatest taste is just waiting to be discovered. Right in your kitchen.

Serves/Makes: 24

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup miniature chocolate chips