80 Years of Chocolate Chips

To celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday (Happy Birthday Grandma!), the whole family is gathered in Philadelphia for a party.

Unable to show up empty handed (duh!), I brought something that would grab even the most calorie-conscious of my family's attention — the secret, irresistible ingredient for this family? Chocolate chips!

Most years, for as long as I can remember we've celebrated my dad's and my grandma's birthdays with Chocolate Chip Cake, using a recipe that's withstood the test of time. It's a recipe that — believe it or not — I've never attempted. My brave mom made it years ago for my dad's birthday, only to be informed that "his mom makes it better."

Don't kid yourself into thinking, I'm intimidated by the famous chocolate chip cake — quite the opposite. I didn't have the recipe and knew someone else in the family would be showing up with cake. Instead, I brought in some somewhat healthy chocolate chip scones and traded the batch for the chocolate chip cake recipe and a handful of others. Next year, maybe I'll spruce up the cake with some Young Idealistic Baker decor!

Chocolate Chip "Weight Watchers" Scones (recipe adapted from Skinny Taste):
Makes 12 scones

• 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• Optional: egg white wash and standing sugar

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees 
• Combine buttermilk, sugar, vanilla extract and egg, stirring with a whisk
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk
• Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender, or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal
• Fold in chocolate chips
• Add milk mixture, stirring just until moist
• Place dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly four times with floured hands
• Form dough into an 9-inch circle onto baking sheet, about 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch thick 
• Using a knife, cut dough into 12 wedges all the way through
• Optional: Brush dough with egg white and sprinkle standing sugar over the top
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, until edges just begin to brown

Happy Baking and Happy Birthday Grandma!

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