I was never THAT girl that worshiped a boy band and wrote all over my notebook that I was going to be next Mrs. Jordan Knight with little hearts. But oh did I have friends that did. And that was fine. We were 13 and 14 and didn’t know any better. Love was something that we saw on TV on the Soap Opera (or stories if are from the South) our mother watched.
But what is a disturbing trend I am noticing is how many grown woman are like that. I can’t tell you how many times I have had a heated discussion with some of my female friends (perhaps this is why most of my friends are guys) over the fact that you can’t be in love with someone you have never met. Now I’m not saying you can’t find someone on the Internet and talk to them for months and fall for them, I am talking about musician, actor, and athlete love.
Just this week my friend (really acquaintance) said to me “I love me some Ryan Reynolds, I would marry him in a heartbeat”. I replied “really, you would marry him in a heartbeat, without even meeting him?” She proceeded to go on and on about how could you not want to marry him, he had perfect abs, he was hot (true…and Canadian I might add…he makes up for Justin Bieber), and made tons of money. Me pointing out the fact that she knew nothing about his personality, his traits, etc., that was of no consequence…because he seemed like a real nice guy in his interviews. Now don’t get me wrong, he could be a great guy, I’m just saying that until you actually date someone you aren’t actually going to know that. And you don’t want to marry some guy who has hot abs because hot abs or not, and a-hole is an a-hole.
My other friend is obsessed with Henrick Zetterberg (hockey player for the dreaded Red Wings). She is another one that would secretly hopes that he would just walk up to her and ask her to marry him. When again I ask why we get the looks, money, and a can play hockey well (he can) comments thrown in. This a relationship does not make. And when I told her he was already married to a model she seemed disgusted and said “how shallow”…um, irony anyone? I got the “well you like Rick Nash (also a hockey player)” to which I said yes. Then I pointed out that having never met him, I had no desire to marry him. I did however have the desire to see him naked, preferably his butt. Marriage no? Sleep with him? Also no…maybe eventually but I have never been the kind that just sleeps with someone because they are famous. Want to see naked? You bet.
And don’t get me started on the 40 year old women who are obsessed with being with the Twilight boys. Oye.
Our society has become oh so very superficial that we are willing to marry someone no questions asked because they could buy you crap and when you touch their abs they don’t move. I suppose if you are still holding out for one of these guys you should at least hone your baking skills…then again though you probably will just have a live in cook. 😛
If you do want to hone your baking skills, why not make this cookie that is a twist on the traditional chocolate chip cookie. Instead of granulated sugar, you make your own caramel, let it harden, and then pulverize it into sugar. Adds a nice depth of flavor. I also added some butterscotch chips for a little something different as well.
In sad news, it is with heavy heart that I tell you my friend’s poor sweet boy is with the angels now.
Caramel-Butterscotch-Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups caramel sugar *see note
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
½ cup butterscotch chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Using a stand mixer, cream butter, caramel sugar, and vanilla extract together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
With the mixer on low speed, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until fully incorporated.
Fold in the butterscotch and chocolate chips and try to distribute them evenly (ha).
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. I find that using a silicone mat works best with these. If you use a traditional baking sheet than put parchment down to prevent over browning since the caramel browns quicker.
*For Caramel Sugar:
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup water
Lightly oil a 12-inch square of foil. In a heavy saucepan boil sugar and water over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved.
Boil syrup without stirring, washing down sugar crystals on side of pan with a brush dipped in cold water, until pale golden.
Continue cooking syrup without stirring, swirling pan, until deep golden.
Immediately pour caramel onto foil and cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Break caramel into shards.
Place shards into food processor and pulse until you have made the caramel shards into the consistency of sugar. Use immediately…any humidity will start to make it stick up.
Shards recipe adapted from Epicurious.com
Bobbi says
Oh Peabody. In life opt for a hug rather than words because I usually can’t find the right ones. Thoughts are sent from our house to your friend and her family.
Collette says
Oh no. I am so sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with your friend and her family.
sara says
Whoa, what a great idea to make your own caramel sugar! Sounds fantastic!
Panya says
I’m sorry about the loss. (((((HUGS))))) for the lot of you.
Hannah@Bake Five says
I suppose they will go to the extent of standing in front of the pulpit and before they say “I do”, you have a runaway bride. =/
Rosa says
I’m so sorry to hear that…
Those cookies are very original. I bet they taste lovely!
Cheers,
Rosa
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Hahaha I bet Ryan Reynolds would be great to look at but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want to marry him:-)
Baking Soda says
>>when you touch their abs they don’t move<< smile!
Are those women for real? Gah.
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's boy. So very hard. Wishing her and you strength.
Niki says
My prayers are with you and your friends family. Although you gave us this sweet cookie, that was still like a punch in the gut.
hobby baker says
Great post, great cookie. ((Hugs)) and tears for you and your friend’s family. ♥
Judy says
Oh Peabody, how my heart aches for your friend, there truly is no worse heartache (and I have known quite a few) than losing a child., as you know I lost my daughter, if your friend needs another mother to email and chat with, feel free to pass along my email address., hugs to you all…
HeartofGlass (Chew the fat) says
Gosh, I was going to post a chipper note when I logged on, saying that your post about running inspired me to write a tongue-and-cheek reply in my blog, and now I read this to find out that your friend has just suffered the worst of all losses. I am so, so sorry.
angela says
i only date a-holes! 🙁 i can’t imagine a movie star or athlete is going to be any nicer of a guy just cause he has great abs. that being said, i would also like to see a few of them with their shirt off mowing my lawn. 🙂
Donna says
Sending love to you and your friend.
Elizabeth says
Oh that is very sad news. Hope you and your friends family are doing as well as you can right now.
I have never wanted to “marry” those kind of guys either, but maybe go on dates and sleep with?? haha. I also haven’t thought about making caramel sugar! smart peabody smart!
jodi says
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s loss 🙁
These cookies were absolutely phenomenal — thank you so much for sharing them!
Lisa says
Ohhh the unrealistic dreams of desire!!! I work with jr. high students alot and have heard some of their unrealistic dreams, I like to think that people eventually grow out of them but I guess not. It’s unfortunate that reality is so undesirable! The smashed carmel sugar seems unreal to me, since I’ve never heard of such a thing, but it makes me want to try! Peace to you and your friend, Peabody….
Marisa says
my thoughts and prayers are with your friend.
Melissa says
I’m so sorry
Jill says
I made chocolate chip cookies this weeken and wondered if a combo of choc and butterscotch chips would be good or bad. Sounds like good!!
Mrs. L says
I am so sorry to hear about your friends child. My heart goes out to them (and you).
Mrs. L says
I can’t think of even one hockey player I’d like to marry.
See naked? Do you have an hour? 🙂
Nicole says
I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s little boy. I hope that she is able to find peace and comfort as she goes through a very hard time. And I hope she is surrounded by wonderful and supportive family and friends. These cookies sound wonderful! This is my husband’s favorite kind of cookie and so I will definitely give them a try!
Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie says
Sorry to hear of your friends loss.
These cookies look wonderful, and I love the creative use of making caramel sugar!
Becca says
You’re posts always make me laugh because my sister is obsessed with Darren Criss (from Glee) and it is just so over the top that she should probably be institutionalized. However, I was once like that (I say once because I’m not obsessed with anyone right now) and I have to admit, it’s kinda fun to be obsessed with things/people, does that make me creepy? Haha
By the way these cookies look so delicious! You have outdone yourself again!
Julie says
Oh geez, that’s tough. You don’t know me from Adam, but trust that warm thoughts and prayers are being sent for your friend, and for you!
Claire says
I never did go overboard with the pre-teen/teen excitement…though it is fun at the right time. So sorry about your friend’s baby.
Cookies look great. I bet that does add some amazing flavor.
Iris says
Call me shallow if you will, but I think I just fell in love with this cookie recipe.
And sorry to hear about your friend’s loss.
Lisa @ The Cooking Bride says
I was one of those girls that wanted to marry Joey McIntyre from NKOTB when I was ten. I’m not proud of it.
While I do agree that I wouldn’t want to marry Ryan Reynolds because he could turn out to be a wife-beater or a philanderer, I have to admit that I would seriously consider a one-night stand. Because his abs really are hot . . .
Lori says
Peabody, You are on the mark with your post and that great recipe. Thoughts and prayers to you and your friend at this difficult time.
Sarah says
My thoughts are with your friends. Such sad news.