Chocolate Chip Pizookies

J returned from girls camp recently. We've spent time catching up and I've heard much about how great the experience had. She deepened friendships, felt the blessings of service, enjoyed good food and grew in appreciation for her ward family.
For many years I carried a bit of shame about my own girls camp experiences.
I hated it. Straight up hated it. I knew I was supposed to love it. My sisters loved it. It seemed like everyone loved it...except me.
I didn't mind hot weather...but I did mind it in super thick oversized hand me down jeans.
I never felt creative or the need to sit around a picnic table and make a craft. I would have preferred to run around- play a game- go canoeing. But those weren't always options. Skits...camp songs...tents...biffys (portable pottys)....A strong "no thank you" to them all.
When I was 13 our church group travelled over 250 miles to girls camp. I was assigned to a small "4 man" tent with three other girls I didn't know. I'm not sure wether they knew each other beforehand or made quick friends with each other, but they were everything I wasn't:
Crafty, content to wear jeans, friendly, out going, and above all- happy at camp. The first day we were told a long list of rules... Probably for safety...haha😉. We were also given a stern warning that non-compliance to these rules would result in us being sent home immediately.
I saw the light. I hated camp. I wanted to go home. All I had to do was break the rules and I would be set free. And so I did...
Unfortunately camp was over 250 miles from home and my leader wasn't going to make the long drive. So I was assigned to spend my long hot days in a tent by myself- I guess I was in what can be called "girls camp time-out". It was miserable. At the end of the week, my leader drove me home in much silence. Upon dropping me off at the meeting place with my parents, she turned to me and asked me never to return. I felt completely relieved- I had been officially and forever kicked out of girls camp.
My own daughter's story is everything mine isn't!

God brought balance to the universe when He blessed me with a girls camp loving daughter!!

Speaking of balance- a light dinner calls for an indulgent dessert. This one is a family favorite!
It's simply a chocolate chip cookie in a personal sized baking dish then turned into a hot fudge sundae of sorts.  Many restaurants call the Pizookies because it's a pizza type cookie?...Served hot with toppings...haha or something like it. It's fun to say, so why not name it a Pizookie!

Chocolate Chip Pizookies
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 2/3-3/4 (2 7/8 for high elevation) cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 3/4- 3 cups chocolate chips.
Cream butter, Crisco, and sugars. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated.  Do not over mix. Stir in chocolate chips. To increase flavor and a smoother texture, meld cookie dough in refrigerator or freezer. I like to form cookie balls immediately and then place them in freezer strength ziploc bags in the freezer until I'm ready to bake them.

For the Pizookie, bake cookie dough in individual size or larger size for a sundae for two- or more!!
Bake at 375 degrees for 12-16 minutes. While hot, serve up a generous helping of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, other sundae toppings and whipped cream if desired.

This is the perfect treat to enjoy as you hear about faith walks, new friends, and testimonies shared!!