happy birthday, haddy
Sometimes it is the simple things in life that are the most satisfying. The perfect chocolate chip cookie, for example. Just ask Haddy. She’s been researching them for years.
Crispy edges. A chewy centre. The correct ratio of chocolate chips to dough. Not thick – never thick! And once you’ve had the perfect bite? Well, you can’t forget it. Nothing else can compare. And this is the burden that Haddy has carried for over 30 years. For three decades she has been searching for the perfect bite with no reward. “It’s close,” she’d say, munching on a test subject, “but it’s no Carmichael Cookie.”
You see, Haddy knew without a doubt that the perfect cookie existed. She knew because she had experienced it: The Carmichael Family’s Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies. For years I have listened to her description of them. Her eyes glaze over. Her voice changes. She describes them in perfect detail. I, too, joined the search for that elusive combination of ingredients that would finally quiet her cravings. But with no success.
Now, I’m sure you know where this is headed, don’t you, Haddy?
I found Sandi Carmichael. I told her how you felt about her cookies. I told her that you remembered eating them as a child all those years ago, and I told her how much it would mean to get that recipe for you. And the very next morning, I received an email from Sandi and Martha with The Recipe. A recipe filled with so much love and tradition that my computer screen began to twinkle.
I immediately made a test batch. For once The Recipe was in my hands, I worried that your memory of the cookies may have been distorted over the years. That you would be, once again, disappointed with the results. But Haddy? When I bit into one I knew. Crisp, golden edges that melted on my tongue. Chocolate chips nestled in a perfectly sugared dough, with just a hint of chewiness as I worked my way toward the centre of the cookie.
It was exactly as you had described it.
A box of The Carmichael Family’s Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies will be arriving on your doorstep today. I have included a copy of the recipe. A recipe that I will not be sharing with my readers, for it is not mine to share. This recipe, little sister, is just for you. A gift from The Carmichael Family and your big sister.
May your cravings be satiated.
Wait, what?! What if HADDY SAYS you can share? Because I think she was raised to be a kind and generous person who would SHARE. Happy birthday, Haddy! Enjoy your special cookies on your special day!
Gaaah, now I want the recipe! How dare you taunt is with these perfect chocolate chip cookies. Now I will set out on my own quest to replicate the Carmichael Chocolate Chip Cookie, an elusive vestige of perfection I have never even tasted… *sob*
P.S. – Happy birthday, Haddy! You are the luckiest sister ever.
tease.
what if i emailed you privately, would you share it then?
these pix are fantastic. happy birthday to your lil sister!
argh.
I’m another “faithful follower” too,
and a yum yum momma!
please share, miss movita beaucoup——x
Nope. Top secret. IT’S HADDY’S GIFT!!
So sweet of you to look for the recipe just for Haddy. she must be so delighted! Happy birthday haddy by the way. Please enjoy every single morsel of those cookies!
I like chocolate chip cookies but if I had any choice of cookie, it wouldn’t normally be the type I pick…BUT, City Bakery in nyc has literally the best chocolate chip cookie i’ve EVER eaten. I would choose THAT cookie over any other cookie on the planet. I think Haddy would like it because it’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside…and massive. I would send one to you and Haddy but I’m not sure it would be in it’s peak condition by the time it got to you :*(
I’ve never craved a chocolate chip cookie more than after reading your blog.
Bahhhhhh. Wait. Gaahhhhh. Gasp. I’m drooling for chocolate chip cookies. I wanna be your sista.
Okay *tries to behave*
Happy Birrrfffday Haddy.
We all luvs ya, but we would love you even more if you shared the recipe with us 🙂
What a sweet sister you are. Happy birthday Haddy. I don’t know you are going to top this for Movitas birthday.
Beauuuuuutiful photos! You will post the recipe one day, won’tcha?? Please? Please. Thank you. (and Happy Birthday Haddy!)
You made me cry. What a beautiful love letter to your sister.
xo
I think this falls under “cruel and unusual punishment”…
Happy Birthday dear sweet Haddy! And I hope you find it in your chocolate chip heart to share the recipe!!! We’ll be your friends forever.
You foxy, foxy minx. Hats of to you mistress of our tummies, hats of to you.
Could you beg the Carmichaels on our behalf???? We have birthdays too sometimes. Happy Birthday Haddy! You are lucky to have such a sister, both of you!
are. you. kidding. me. with this.
seriously, i am REALLY good at copycat recipes from just tasting things, and iv’e never tried mimicking anything based solely on a PHOTO, but i am willing to attempt it if you will not give me the recipe.
what if i say i’m haddy. will you then give me the recipe.
I’m Haddy.
*did that work*
No. It did not work. If you had cursed more, I might have been fooled. But alas, you did not…
I’m so lucky to have such a great sister — with such a terrific community of readers behind her. Of course, this is all just an elaborate way for her to get me to send the birthday gift I should have given her in May.
And the cookies are fucking fantastic.
Told you.
What the… 🙂
Ugh! I was already checking to see if I had chocolate chips…and then I kept reading.
Sadness :o(
I almost feel sorry for you.
Almost.
Oh, it’s cruel, it’s sooooo cruel. Now I’m just going to have to spend the rest of my spare time (ever!) making various permutations and combinations of chocolate chip cookies (and likely a) failing and b) getting really fat) into eternity, my child, house, job and husband forever neglected…..
Oh wait, that already happens…..
Do we have to beg Haddy to post the recipe?
And what is going on with those photos. I’d like to hear more on the shots. They are very cool. Can you make up for not divulging the recipe with giving us a few photo tips??? xx wendy
You are fucking amazing.
I know, Kelly. I know.
Dear Readers,
I feel like you didn’t read the above post very carefully. The recipe is for Haddy. It is a gift for her. Now quit yer whining.
Sincerely,
movita
So glad you have found you and your site. I love your sense of humor…and your taste in chocolate chip cookies! I was JUST telling someone I only like the ones that are flat and crisp…these look perfect. I’m pinning to make them soon!
Good luck with that. 🙂
This made me laugh really hard.
There is nothing better in the world than the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I’m so happy Haddy’s dream came true on her birthday. You are such a great seester.
This is a bit weird but my and my sister call each other ‘seester’ all the time and then when I read your comment it made me smile, so there you go. Thanks for making a stranger smile! Oh that is definitely weird. Sorry about that.
Omg this is torture, Movita. I want to try this cookie so badly now! You are the best sister ever. I can’t believe you found Sandi Carmichael in order to get the recipe. Happy birthday to Haddy and I hope she ate as many cookies as her heart desired!
Those ARE the perfect chocolate chip cookies.
Haddy is a very lucky girl to have you for a sister! (Beautiful photos.)
My finger was poised over the print button, ready to leave for the grocery store with the printed recipe in hand. I drooled all over my key board as I scrolled down your blog and looked lovingly at the photos. And then, I had to read your last comment twice. I just could not believe you would not share! I am not whining, Movita! I am throwing an all out tantrum!
Sandi Carmichael, if you are reading this, would you share???
What a thoughtful, loving, and special gift! And it’s even better that the cookies actually live up to the memory. Having said that, I also have to say that I am jealous that the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe exists, and I don’t have it. I just I’ll just have to track down Sandi Carmichael.
Dear Friends and Readers,
Please stop stalking Sandi Carmichael.
Sincerely,
movita beaucoup
Aaah I missed this post, Happy Belated Haddy!!!
These cookies look absolutely addictive!
Cheers
CCU
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