Our Club's journey into chocolate and cookies as well as cookie making began on December 3, 2024 when Cookie Master Brennan Bowen was our speaker. From the first moment that we met Brennan and dove into the fascinating history of the chocolate chip cookie to the savoring of the delicious samples and the nuances of the tasting process, every step of the experience was a delight. The preparation and the execution of the baking were flawless, showcasing Brennan's expertise and passion.
We also got history lessons and fun questions that made us think. Nestle bought the chocolate chip recipe in 1939 for $1 from Ruth Wakefield. In doing so, Nestle was allowed to print Ruth's recipe on the chocolate bar label and further give Ruth a lifetime of free chocolate that she baked with for the rest of her life.
At the Cookie Making Workshop on December 8, 2024, Club Members tasted chocolates ranging from milk chocolate to deep dark chocolate. Next came a lesson in baking and mixing:
- Did you know that if you rock the mixing bowl back and forth while folding in the butter and sugar mixture into the flour, you can create a creamy mixture before you add chocolate chips and eggs?
- Did you know that you can crack an egg into your hand and then catch the yoke and let the white part drop into the mixing bowl? Now, that's high tech!
Our Rotary Club had an absolutely fantastic time at the Club Meeting on December 3 and at the Cookie Making Workshop on December 8 where we got hands-on in the kitchen and baked our own batch of cookies. The entire experience was delicious, memorable, and a true home run in every way. It was also a wonderful bonding experience.
Huge kudos to Brennan Bowen for making it all come together so perfectly! Thank you also to President Bob Hermann and Dan Joraanstad for hosting the Cookie Making Workshop.
Note: If you would like the recipe provided by Brennan Bowen, please contact your Grindings Editor