The Ultimate Classic

While the cupcake craze is fun, and French macarons, whoopie pies, and doughnuts are on the rise, there is one classic that will undeniably remain popular for years to come.

The chocolate chip cookie.

Few things  bring back memories the same way chocolate chip cookies can...the rich smell of butter and brown sugar, the irresistible bites of cookie dough, the extremely long 9 minute wait while they bake, the sweet, buttery aroma that fills the kitchen as soon as the oven door opens, and the sensation of biting into a warm, chewy, divine chocolate chip cookie. Some like them dunked in milk, some like them a bit crispy, some like them oversized, and some like two with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in between.

The connection between chocolate chip cookies and happiness, smiles, and warmth is undeniable--which is exactly why I wanted to bake some for my friend Kelly's 20th birthday. While many claim they have the "best" chocolate chip cookie recipe, I am a firm believer that the recipe on the back of a bag of Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips is pretty outstanding...(just ask me and my roommates...I'm pretty sure we ate almost all of them throughout the day yesterday!)

After doing homework and baking off cookies throughout the afternoon, I assembled a little treat-box I found at Sur la Table, packed in some cooled cookies, wrapped a bow around the package and delivered them to the birthday girl. Happy 20th, Kelly!