The place I call ... HOME

Pennsylvania
First US capital, First in my heart
 
Introducing the 
"#numberone"

So for those that don't know, I was born and raised in Pennsylvania (aka PA which if you live here that's most likely how you refer to our state) making this one the easiest cookies to make.  After doing research though, it ended up being pretty difficult because actually A LOT of good things originated  from PA. 

• TastyKakes: Home of the amazing krimpet and creme filled cupcakes. I grew up watching my Grandma eat the "creme filled chocolate cupcake" and black coffee for breakfast. 
• Wawa: yes, I know our state is split between Wawa and Sheetz but I am completely bias since I am from the east side of the state. I grew up, probably like most kids around here, getting a hoagie every week before/after soccer practice. Nothing could compare to a fresh WAWA hoagie to prepare you for practice or two-a-days. When they started toasting hoagies, it was life changing for me. And how can I forget their coffee, cheap and good quality coffee. When I lived in North Carolina for the past two year, I would come home and binge so much on WAWA coffee that my body would go into caffeine overdrive. And for those of you who personally know me, you know I don't need help on having energy. :)

Wawa was always my first stop when I landed in PA

Pretzels: And when I say pretzels, I am talking about all different kinds. Philadelphia is clearly known for soft pretzels which are amazing and I swear they have butter or something infused in them to make them addicting. But PA is home of Snyder's pretzels located near Lancaster (and I am hoping you pronounced that correctly).

• Whoopie Pies: these originated here by the Pennsylvania Dutch. Supposedly they were so good they replied with, "Whoopie" when they ate them giving them their name. I just learned that 30 minutes ago, all I know is that you need to go to Shady Maple outside Blue ball, PA and get a true Pennsylvania whoopie pie. Side note -- if you didn't know, PA has some of the great town names where you can get cool gear that say things like, "I heart intercourse.....   PA" :) 
• HERR's: What more is there to saying besides the fact everyone likes potato chips. I could honestly eat a whole bag of HERRs sour cream and onion, you know the one in the green bag, all by myself. 
• HERSHEY'S: I saved my favorite for last. I mean clearly I love chocolate and was kind of the reason I love baking CHOCOLATE chip cookies, it's the main ingredient. I have so many memories there... I don't mean just memories of me stuffing my face with chocolate like the Willy Wonka Factory but more meaningful memories. For one, I went to Messiah College which is right next to Hershey. It was one of the most fun things to do in good old central PA besides ghost hunting in Gettysburg and the Carlisle pike. This was a strip by school that had any store you needed, you would be surprised how exciting that is. I also was a ball girl for the Downingtown Girl's soccer team in the state finals that took place in the Hershey stadium. I was able to watch my older sisters win the FIRST (another first) state championship for Downingtown and having the privilege of handing them soccer balls when they went out of bounds. Believe it or not, I loved it because I looked up to them so much and all that they did. Then, I had my chance in 2004 to also be a part of a state champion team. 

I am the one in the middle, I know I'm adorable :)

With that being said it was hard to come up with a cookie where so many sweets are made here in good old Pennsylvania! 

So I have created ...
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#numberone
"First USA capital, First in my heart"
A mocha, pretzel, chocolate chunk 
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 PA ingredients included:
 WAWA coffee, Synder's pretzels and Hershey chocolate chunks

And since this is the cookie from my home state, I could make my cookie with the ones I love... my favorite helpers. I am lucky to have them call me Aunt Jessie :) 

Yes, they have matching aprons :)

Thanks for reading! Please continue to follow me through my journey to create a "chocolate chip" cookie for each state! 

xoxo 
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Jessica Rose