When I was a child, Saturday nights were reserved for my favorite movies and delicious homemade snacks. My siblings and I would eagerly anticipate the weekend, counting down the days until we could settle in for a night of entertainment and treats.
As soon as the movie began, my mom would emerge from the kitchen with an array of snacks. There were the classics – buttered popcorn and soda – but my mom always went the extra mile to make the night feel special. She would make homemade nachos with fresh guacamole, or whip up a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies.
We would all huddle together on the couch, our eyes glued to the screen as we munched on our snacks. There was something magical about the combination of great movies and delicious food, and it became a cherished tradition in our family.
As I grew older and moved away from home, I continued the tradition on my own. Whenever I felt homesick or needed a pick-me-up, I would choose a favorite movie and prepare a feast of snacks. It was a reminder of the warmth and comfort of my childhood, and the joy of sharing good food and good company with the people I loved.
Now, as an adult, I still look forward to those cozy movie nights. And though the snacks have evolved over time, the memories and traditions remain as strong as ever.
What we’re making – Marble Cookings
Makes 2 dozen
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1 oz. unsweetened baker’s chocolate
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, blend the butter and sugar until combined. Add egg and blend well.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Add to the butter/sugar mixture and blend with electric mixer until combined. Add vanilla and almond extracts and stir together the dough by hand.
In a double boiler or in the microwave, melt the chocolate. Little by little, add the chocolate to the cookie dough, intermittently using a knife to swirl the chocolate. Do NOT stir! You want to be able to see the chocolate and the vanilla within the dough.
Chill dough for at least one hour.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. When dough is nice and chilled, roll dough into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until the edges are just started to turn light brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy on your favorite movie night, when you’re feeling homesick, or maybe to bring back to the fam when you do visit! Enjoy!
