So this week, we go back to the beginning- Von Stapele Cookies aka The Amsterdam Cookies aka THE cookies that started the baking journey.  It’s been almost a year (I think) that I’ve been baking cookies every week.  And it’s been a crazy year.   One major down (and some not so major ones) and lots of big ups too.  So, it’s just been life.   We skate along every day until we come to a big bump in the road, we fall down, we get back up and keep skating until the next big bump.  I can’t really complain.  This is what being alive is.

I lost my job and gained a job, I lost a lot of confidence and gained a lot of resilience.  I got to spend time not working and realised how much I was missing by constantly running from one thing to the next.  I lost someone who I loved and loved me, and I gained a new appreciation of the tiny person I made.  I grew.  I still miss what I lost, and I still grieve and wonder, “what if?”  But I’m happy.  I mean I still complain about lots of First World Problems, and still hassle the humans in my house over a range of things.  But overall, at at the risk of jinxing myself.  Things are ok.

Looking back, I had NO idea what was ahead of me.  But none of us ever do really.  A year ago, I couldn’t imagine anything changing- everything was great.  A year from now, I know things could look totally different and that’s ok.  It could be better, or it could be worse.  But it will be different.  That’s the only thing I know for sure.  Will I still be baking every week?? Who knows??

And in the spirit of Change.  I’ve tried something new-ish.  I made friends with AI- well ChatGPT and for one of the first times used ChatGPT to create a new recipe.  Well, multiple new recipes.  

Bonkers.  Game changing.  Bizarre.  

So, why now??  What happened this week? 

Full disclosure, I was inspired by the Cabaret show I went to last week hosted by Dame Chilli Rox.  Chilli or Dame Chilli happens to be the only person I’ve seen consistently every week for the past 18 years, and someone who I treasure dearly.  She’s my Pole Dancing Teacher and an absolute icon, and the person who I’ve seen once or twice a week almost every week since 2007(ish).  I’ve known her longer than my husband and seen her more regularly than almost anyone else I know.  I’ve been through relationship changes, career changes, house changes, every type of change- but I’ve taken Pole Dancing Classes with Chilli on Wednesdays at 830 for most of my adult life.  

Anyway, Chilli, who is also the Most Influential Pole Dancer in Australia and an amazing MC, hosted a show last week and in the show, she had ChatGPT come up with cocktails for people she knew in the audience.  (Mine was a Half-Assed Spritz- because I’m very bubbly, loyal, but I don’t try very hard in class.)  

Anyhoo, I was inspired to use ChatGPT to come up with cookie recipes– what a brilliant idea!  Last week’s Dulce de Leche Cookies were a huge hit– and someone said, “ooh, Banoffee pie cookies would be really good.”  I searched for recipes online but then, inspired by Chilli’s AI cocktail creations, I thought what if I asked ChatGPT for a Banoffee Cookie recipe.  AND it delivered!!!

So then, I asked Chat GPT for a recipe inspired by Dame Chilli Rox- and it delivered on that too!  

The description was amazing–

“Let’s create something as fiery, fierce, and unforgettable as Dame Chilli Rox herself — a cookie that’s spicy, sultry, and unapologetically fabulous.  

Vibe:

Think: dark chocolate for drama, chilli for her name and boldness, cinnamon for heat, and raw sugar sparkle for the glittering glam she brings to the pole.” 

 And it is!!!!  Spicy chocolate chocolate chip with glitter sprinkles!!!    Throw in a jade split and it’s Chilli in a Cookie!

ChatGPT also suggested adding Fireball Whiskey or Chilli Liqueur for an extra kick.  I might try them again and call them Chilli Rox on the Rocks.

I also asked for a recipe for Von Stapele copycat cookies… and 3 or 4 other cookies that I was inspired to create… (they may make an appearance next week!)

I”m VERY pleased with how they’ve turned out (they look and smell very credible!) and it was super fun creating a recipe of my own(-ish).  Who knows, this could be the next evolution of my baking.  Creating recipes not just baking from recipes… I mean, I don’t know if I trust AI for everything all the time but it’s fun to try!