When we moved in and unpacked, I realized that I had 2 bags of Nestle Chocolate Chips that made the trip :) We were really hurting for a good, sweet, gooey cookie, so I made a batch. The one ingredient that I didn't have was baking soda. What difference could 1 teaspoon make right? I used baking powder instead, no harm no foul. The cookies turned out great! All of the dry ingredients were things that were packed from my pantry in the States, I even was smart and bought a big thing of Vanilla Extract from Costco before we left :).
The cookies went fast, so a week or so later, I made another batch. I did the same baking soda/baking powder switch and this time (using all the same ingredients) the cookies were flat, paper thin! I did a little research and sure enough, you can't switch baking soda and baking powder...no clue why it worked the first time??
So the search began for baking soda. I thought it would be easy to find. I mean, you wouldn't even have to label it in the US and most of us would be able to spot it on a shelf! Well, no luck. I couldn't find it anywhere! I did a little online research and found what to look for. Something called Natron. A little tiny packet in the baking section (which is Germany, is like 2 shelves) at the grocery store. I finally found it, my baking soda problems have been solved!
So I whipped up another batch of cookies and they turned out fabulous! Granted, I had to chop up some baking chocolate because they don't sell chocolate chips here and I ran out of my stash. But still, they were even better that way, home made chocolate chunk cookies!
Well, now I've run out of flour. Had I know this was going to be an issue, that last trip to Costco probably would have cost me $1000 in "supplies"!
Anyway, I bought some German flour and made the recipe again. And once again...flat, paper, cookies :(. So I did a little research (online again) and have read that I need to sift my "dense German flour" and I need to mix my Natron with some water to help it "react"!
I need to find a sifter and try this again. But in the meantime, I'm working on getting some normal baking soda from the States too.
I WILL get these cookies right...even if I have to make 100 batches :)
PS. The dough still takes the same, so once we realize the cookies are going to be flat, Rick helps and just eats all the dough ;)
You're going to get 20 boxes of baking soda in the mail. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope not! It will cost me a fortune in import tax (or whatever excuse they have to charge me every time I get a box)!
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