I don't mean literally. I'm sure we all know that cookies are made with flour and sugar and generally lots of butter. [SIDENOTE: My husband never fails to gasp when he sees the quantity of butter that goes in the bowl. "Why do you need THAT much butter?" My response is always the same..."Because it makes them taste so yummy...they weren't meant to be healthy."]
The key ingredient to any cookie - any variety - is love. If you aren't' making them with love, something will go wrong almost every single time. You will be hasty. You might miss an ingredient or add too much. You might overcook. You name it.
For the past several years, I have taken on the task of making cookies to give away to the family at Christmas time. Chocolate chip, peanut butter chip, peanut butter, sugar, jam bars (yes, they are still cookies), mint chip, chocolate peanut butter chip, gingerbread, peppermint sandwich, peanut butter blossoms, Russian teacakes and anything else that shouts my name when I go through. I think the total usually comes in at about 700+ cookies until I'm done. Some are easy to make and others, well, they take time and care...and love.
BUT...the favorite cookie that we made last year would be the whoopie pies my daughter sold. It was an idea that she had gotten to pay for her retreat with our church. We chuckled when she came up with the idea. My husband and I kept reminding her to keep the $155 trip on her Christmas list, as she'd need all the help she could get. So, we made some posts and asked around. Soon enough, people started ordering 6 here and a dozen there. The orders just kept pouring in for these $1.00 whoopie pies that were double the size of any I've seen for sale. She, at 13, made enough in two days to pay for her entire trip. I was honestly blown away. When we talked about it, she was so excited, but then immediately asked if she could keep taking orders and help pay for someone else to go. I asked if she was sure and she continued, saying that people need to go on those retreats and that not everyone has the money or can go. She was adamant that she wanted to help. Who was I to stop her?
(via chefmom.sheknows.com)All in all, she made a total of $510 in whoopie pie sales. I was blown away at the provision, truly. She had a faithful heart and it paid off. She was very, very busy baking for several weeks. All in all, she was able to go on the retreat free and clear, AND was able to send two other students and pay for a portion of another student. So many people commented that they were better than the whoopie pies at the local farmer's market. I can't tell you how proud my momma heart was.
Love...it is the key ingredient. You know, our daughter taught us something this Christmas. IF YOU HAVE FAITH LIKE A CHILD, BIG THINGS CAN HAPPEN.
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