The cookie ladies

Where do you go when you just need something sweet? Something that doesn't taste like it has lived in a plastic wrapper since the days of King Arthur?

Last week, my own personal sweet-tooth decided it needed sweet fix, and I knew just where to go.

Since 1981, Sue Smith has been putting smiles on Mid-Valley residents with her delightful cookies from The Cookie Tree in Yuba City — and now in Gridley, which opened in January.

From the moment you open the front door until you exit the building, you are greeted with not only a huge smile, but the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies and treats.

Sue makes sure that all her cookies are made just the way you would make them at home. She uses only fresh ingredients, whole eggs and good quality chocolates and nuts.

With more than 65 different kinds of cookies, the top three customer favorites are their Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Crackle and their Mid-Valley famous Frosted Sugar Cookies. The sugar cookies are also cut into a variety of shapes depending on the season or occasion.

Sue told me that "some of their customers call their Chocolate Crackles 'Crinkles' or 'Earthquake cookies.'" Yet, by whatever name they're called, these cookies are a wonderful chocolate treat and, I must admit, my own personal favorite. They come with or without nuts — but to me, they just don't taste quite right without nuts, although my wife would argue that point with me.

After years of being at the helm of The Cookie Tree, Sue decided she needed some help. So on April 1 of last year, longtime family friend Tiffani Williams came on board.

"The joke was on Sue," Tiffani said with a huge grin on her face, knowing she started on April Fools Day. But it was no joke. In fact, since Tiffani came on board, the company has seen a 30 percent increase in business. Not too bad for an April Fools joke!

The Smiths have two grown children and six grandchildren, three of which they've helped raise here in Yuba City. Their oldest granddaughter, Millie, took naps as an infant on empty flour sacks in the store. Millie is now 15.

Sue's 14-year-old grandson, Amos, also works in the store, keeping the family tradition going.

"Sue and husband Russ have helped seven other couples open cookie stores in Roseville, Elk Grove, Corona, Redding, Chico, Harker Heights, Texas and Sutherlin, Oregon. Sue and Russ' daughter, Kathy, and her husband operate The Cookie Tree in Texas," Tiffani said.

Sue started with a partner who retired three years later, and Russ joined her in the business 15 years ago.

"Our employees tend to stay long," Sue said.

"One baker has been here for more than 20 years, and two of her daughters have been here for 10 years and more.

"We are like a family. We have taken vacations together, spent Christmas at a beach house and even have had a company-wide Italian dinner complete with a strolling accordion player," added Sue.

"We love our customers, and we have built long friendships with many. Many have been with us since the very beginning, 27 years ago," Sue and Tiffani echoed together.

So the next time your sweet-tooth is calling out to you, or you need that perfect gift or want to impress your boss or co-workers, stop by The Cookie Tree and pick out some yummy cookies — and remember: I really like the Chocolate Crackles, but don't forget the nuts.

• The Cookie Tree's Chocolate Crackles

Yield: Serves 8 to 12, depending on the size of dough ball you use.

Ingredients

1 package brownie mix

1 cup chocolate chips

2 eggs

1⁄4 cup vegetable oil

Powered sugar to coat cookie dough balls

Putting it together

In a large bowl, combine mix, eggs and oil.

Mix with a spoon and stir in chocolate chips.

Refrigerate dough for one hour.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

After dough has set in for one hour, spoon dough by rounded teaspoons and roll into a ball.

Dredge ball in powdered sugar to coat.

Place balls of dough on cookie sheet sprayed with a non-stick spray and bake for eight to 10 minutes.

Cookies will be soft to touch.

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There will be free full-colored recipe cards of The Cookie Tree's Chocolate Crackles Cookie recipe in the lobbies of Yuba City and Marysville Appeal-Democrat offices.

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If you or someone you know has a favorite recipe and would be willing to share it, give me a call at 749-4720 or e-mail me at mreed@appeal-democrat.com. I would love to come to your kitchen and meet you.

Until then, hope to see you in your neighbor's kitchen.