I will say this time and time again, I truly believe you must stick to the wedding registry when buying gifts. MUST. Unless you know 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt that the bride wants it, you are creating extra work by giving them that gift because they will probably have to spend time returning it. However, I know many gift givers are apprehensive about giving a gift they don’t deem as personal. I have my own solution for that – I anchor my gift with a registry item and a favorite recipe, and add other items to it (generally from the registry but sometimes not).

This will be an ongoing theme of posts about the right gift – suggestions of gifts centered around a particular recipe. This post is about Chocolate Chip Cookies – who doesn’t love cookies?!?!?! It is a cute gift and a good recipe – a thoughtful and fun twist to a very utilitarian gift of baking basics.

Based on the recipe below recipe, I suggest the following gift box (you can add/subtract based on your budget):

• Cookie Sheets – I like to give both half sheets and quarter sheets. I prefer nonstick because I am less than coordinated about getting cookies off a sheet after baking, but you can get the other as well.
• Marble Rolling Pin – I like marble more than wood because it doesn’t stick as much. You would still need to flour it, but it is a better rolling pin, period.
• Measuring Cups – Any baker needs measuring cups to make cookies (or bake in general) – I really like stainless-steel measuring cups because they are sturdy and easy to clean (dishwasher safe).
• Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla – you cannot, I repeat cannot, go cheap on Vanilla Extract. You can really taste the difference in any finished dish. mmmmm.
• Sea Salt – seasoning is very important in all cooking, and in baking it is important to add strategic pinches of salt here and there to balance out the sweetness of the sugar. I guarantee the best cookies you’ve had include a pinch of salt in the recipe. Including this will make you look like you know what you’re talking about.
• Kitchen Towels or an Apron – Linens Basics for the Kitchen are a great addition to any baking gift, and in many instances adds a fun pop of color.
• A hand-written recipe card with the entire recipe and a personal note – so much better than a card!

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Not Without Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

• 2 sticks butter (8 oz)
• 1/4 cup white sugar (2 oz )
• 1/4 cup Turbinado sugar (2 oz )
• 1 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed (12 oz )
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla (1/4 oz)
• 3 1/2 cup All Purpose flour (1 lb. )
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 lb. chocolate
• 1/2 tsp good quality salt, for sprinkling on top before baking

1 lb. chocolate (use the best quality chocolate you can afford. With a serrated knife cut chocolate chunks roughly 1/2 inch)

1/2 teaspoon good quality salt, for sprinkling on top before baking

Cream the butter and the sugars until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes on medium high. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Continue mixing while adding the eggs one at time. Make sure each egg is incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla. Scrape down the bowl with a spatula. Combine the flour, soda and salt in another bowl. With a whisk to combine. With the machine on low, slowly add the flour. Mix until just combined, taking care not to over mix. With a spatula fold in the chocolate.

If you so choose, and I do recommend that you do, sprinkle a very fine dusting of good quality sea salt. Fleur de Sel or Murray River Pink Salt are my recommendations.

Bake at 360* for 12 minutes. They should be lightly golden on the outside but still look gooey on the inside.