The Trail Companion

Summer 2000

Pat Oren's Secret Trail Work Motivator -- Revealed!

By Pat Oren

[Editor's note: Pat Oren, one of our long-time Crew Leaders, often plays a big part in helping volunteers do the work that needs doing by bringing out a batch of her special Trail Work Motivator Chocolate Chip Cookies. A few of these at lunch are all it takes for the crew to send the dirt flying and finish up the trail section. More than once when Pat didn't bring the cookies along, folks threatened to take her back to her house to make cookies if she didn't bring them the next time.]

The "Secret" Recipe

1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 c solid soy margarine
3/4 cup of packed brown sugar (I use dark)
1 egg
1 teaspoon water (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
semi-sweet chocolate chips - however many you like (a handful or 8 oz.)

Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Use a separate bowl to stir the dry ingredients together. To the butter mixture, add the egg and vanilla extract, and blend well. Blend together the dry and wet mixtures. (Add the water if the mixture looks too dry to form cookies.) Stir in the chocolate chips. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the cookie dough onto a greased baking sheet by teaspoons, or whatever size cookie you prefer. (They do spread a little.) Start checking the cookies after 8 minutes in the oven. Makes around two dozen, depending on size.

Variations I've used:

Use almond extract instead of vanilla.
Add a pinch of ground ginger, or cinnamon powder.
Add crushed or chopped walnuts.
Add oat bran to the flour.
Use fewer chocolate chips, and write the letters of HAPPY BIRTHDAY on top of the cookies using M&Ms.

(Recipe adapted from the Woman's Home Companion Cook Book)

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