The secret ingredient: coffee. (maybe we loved them because we got hooked on the caffeine?) You could probably use liquid but mum found this recipe in the 1950s so naturally it calls for instant:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tdDT1cBCzOqzLZjzBAnUn0QA3Qd-dihkpsbIei7SXI5eVYjQT8luCXD0vwtyxsU_BiAcglNlB7hzVqe78vrCzxgOVEtgAyxWMUochQs4xclT-KS-nBrx2P5uR1vP_jbPVFxTC3YlggP3/s320/culprit.jpg)
Evidently I will be making quite a lot of these cookies this winter, since I seldom drink coffee and never drink instant.
The first thing is to haul out your mixing gear. I particularly enjoy my bucket of ludicrously expensive measuring cups - they've paid for themselves three times over in the two years since I got them just by making flour-scooping a therapeutic experience.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_1TFGNyU98sy_uwlN1lZGi-E4sI-paDu4R7FcvgxRpkzlZQlbSYE486opimkeH6GGbKDGvAd3xuzEwQXC5BU-u55lLTYKfPhcUfjwae49m3Mw8B6V3Ls3hLkao5Ifokv-GjQwQCusyj7/s320/measuring.jpg)
Another indulgence: vintage Pyrex mixing bowls like mum always used. Took a while to track down all the sizes but I love them and use them all the time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8GIJtnat9gKSDR3Ia9sjHMDStftrC-84sagFrgiN4MdwHDwSECD_bPQdh39HEKNiVXj6hiEMaxnQ1puk742UqnHVZ_1lFRFjhizq0DKCrT1qFC5GmrXsiN8LHtbuYHp7p6s002pmH5ug/s320/vintage+pyrex.jpg)
And now that we're set up, it's time to cream the butter and brown sugar.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQ_znQOj7-Hf9qlFCVpJg1jY3L252ItHNbxDd6N8wetNgNkldyypzlt1z7uByPZSPJnFfl8RM-aJoT_d8ba8q1FAdJSPIS-Ay0XTJAM_BHzcnpJYOh3fGGrNsWahOJD7FDlG_KZBV0Cgk/s320/1+butter+and+sugar.jpg)
I let the mixer take care of that while I crush the coffee with the back of a spoon,
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvrWCoWxNvR0k7ZE8x5n4fUJOWA__MebDqgK5JoM5IcM-CxAuf_pLsrU-Ru81tsGpUUpoaaMRVjgJA3j4EdNgt_j702_sFrS9GBqCSOt2crs4yEC8iOaLqIp8rtS6i7qrw4EybxvEjWLH/s320/2+crush+coffee.jpg)
and then add it to the flour mixture.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4tbxfv7fIz3ri6um_UV-8gVjYYaJkcrkeMlzbFJa8-UB-91ZY1_6S6Bd8-71vY3KPmh3FOoYIQYxqT0TR9C5kfRwlc2RZCGdQ0NVG-4duc4FKfwgrKXs4GYldow4aOObGChI8AG17N7i/s320/3+blend+coffee.jpg)
It looks like a real mess by the time you get all the ingredients together but the aroma? Pure heaven.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22YUo5mxLRyIUQDV2qGaaNj7XJGjiVMM5jfZg3lTz5r1UbLBQWabIq-YO-L2poarX-ZuUzVo8KXUC1GXGRXf9Cex1-GXmb_sZvy3hPY4pAxArYgcKy8m0Gjusfx1NtFzsEB9jM5wkjQDm/s320/4+all+in.jpg)
You just drop them with a couple of teaspoons onto a cookie sheet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8u4_LALcdVe47o2T2DqHyTirMKu5maGk-i-HsZSPu36znqwdgZjJDOn1VaYu0BiJibbXFHfpEV9QE9PEgGuyNJ4AuUxslATMPhg7IjI74FeCzyCDdDgQCXmStspAc6MKLhpbflh11C00/s320/5+drop.jpg)
Then let most of them cool while you do taste tests on the lucky remainder.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3gYpFTi5TNvft0oZYcbEB8r9NDs3vtfFEisGNligMX_P7yA0r8ZGaFftdHBel_nSEEicKHepW6um70_eN8YTDPxENctFPwRmYNRHRaoUVSqGVAYC4EP2sq8f7_dFNp96U2kMhVki-RNQ/s320/6+taste+test.jpg)
Mum's cookie tin is pretty battered now and she was actually about to throw it out when I snagged it for myself. Which means I could take a picture of it for you if I wasn't so lazy (sorry!)
I don't use it though, because I found my own special tin about twenty years ago. I tuck the cookies up in that,
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4V1hoLYKcvXo7HMDcHGDgMZoRrpXthY1r8PRL4v3lZmXzEvVRvaJyLxBtDnrWHtCtvUMRXBsBkJFITMaeQjUCntPsnherOGYjUGKQa2Dk-BON00piZiyjMp7MtBbneIaCxMVskHjyFXP/s320/7+pack+up.jpg)
And then I close the lid.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY4bxQjm9-KuVmRQqzI1lR97MZDIdylzTUReiC8pTuXo0y-FSFPWsBs8KnpwClM50tQpIseN8tXRBI66P2IslWIteGe23tPyeGkOmT571bZC0Uh1ySYFaXvPW2b3gj5sRi1Nq9FC-vRuj/s320/8+close+tight.jpg)
Isn't this a breathtaking image? I keep thinking I'll get so distracted by staring at it I'll forget there are cookies inside, but so far - no.
Mrs. Keenan's Chocolate Chip Cookies (makes 6 dozen)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Sift together
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp instant coffee, crushed to a powder
Cream
1 cup of butter
Blend in
1 cup lightly-packed brown sugar
Add
1 egg and beat in thoroughly
Stir in
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
Add the flour mixture to the butter/egg mixture by spoonfuls, mixing well each time.
Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto greased (or nonstick) cookie sheets, then bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.