2/5/11: The Best Cookie Baker!

A few days ago, I was in the barn with Christoffer, Derren, and Sabi and somehow the subject of their favorite cakes came up (the fact that it was lunchtime may have contributed to this). I love baking, so I told them I would bake a cake. Then I asked if they liked cookies and, just like the British, they didn't know what cookies were, and I had to describe "American-style cookies" in detail. Before I came to Europe, I had no idea that home baked cookies are such an anomaly here! After I explained, the guys said they wanted to try these mysterious cookies and Christoffer shouted, "come on, let's go to the market!" When we got to the market, it was clear from the lack of baking necessities that Germans don't make cookies. The baking section of the store didn't have any chocolate chips! I compromised by getting several big bars of chocolate and spending an hour chopping them into little pieces. I am a dedicated cookie baker! Through this baking process, I discovered that 350 degrees Fahreheit is 176.666667 degrees Celsius, 2 Cups equals 1 Pint, and no Europeans seem to use measuring spoons.

When Alois came in from the barn, I think he was having major sugar cravings because he immediately started helping me mix the cookie ingredients while also sneaking chopped chocolate out of the bowl. I am very particular when it comes to baking chocolate chip cookies, and I think I've finally met a more OCD cookie baker than myself. Alois wanted everything to be mixed perfectly and kept worrying about texture of the dough and whether or not I was measuring the ingredients properly. Who would have guessed one of the most accomplished and renowned show jumping riders in Germany would be such an enthusiastic baker? The cookies turned out perfectly and barely lasted a day on the kitchen counter. My responsibilities here now include weekly baking sprees!