I was 9 years old when I moved from Nigeria to the United States. My parents hope was to offer us a better life here in the US.
Once I arrived here though, I didn’t quite realize the move was permanent. It wasn’t until I started school that it dawned on me that there was no going back.
I won’t lie, at the time I hated living here because in addition to experiencing a huge culture shock, I had no friends and the kids in school were mean. I missed my life in Nigeria, in addition to my friends, school, and home.
I didn’t fully understand the value of living in the United States until I went to college. It was there that I formed my own identity, opinions and was able to make my own choices in life.
As a woman, I realize how blessed I am to be living in a country where we each have a voice. I wouldn’t have this life anywhere else in the world. I am so eternally grateful my parents made the move because I know their struggle wasn’t easy.
I wish you all a Happy Fourth! May you recognize the true value and beauty of living in the United States.
To celebrate with family this year I made Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies. These babies were a huge hit and dangerously good! Enjoy!
Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour - 1 1/2 cups + 1 tbsp
- Unsweetened Cacao/Cocoa Powder - 1/4 cup
- Baking Soda - 1 tsp
- Salt - 1/4 tsp
- Unsalted Butter - 1/2 cup room temperature
- Dark Brown Sugar - 1/2 cup
- White Granulated Sugar - 1/4 cup
- Organic Egg - 1
- Almond Milk - 1 tbsp
- Pure Vanilla Extract - 2 tsp
- Red Food Color - 1 tbsp + 1 tsp
- White Chocolate Chips - 1 cup
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl combine all the dry ingredients... flour, cacao powder, baking soda and salt. Stir. Set aside.
</br> - In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy and fluffy for about 1 minute.
</br> - Add the brown and white sugars and cream until well combined for about 1 minute.
</br> - Add the egg, almond milk and vanilla. Beat until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
</br> - Now add the red food color. You can add more or less based on how red you want the cookies. Beat for a few seconds until well combined.
</br> - Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined, but do NOT over mix.
</br> - Add the white chocolate chips. Beat until incorporated for about 20 seconds.
</br> - Here is your dough which will be very sticky.
</br> - Cover with plastic wrap and into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. I refrigerated my dough for 1 1/2 hours.
</br> - This is how your dough should look after an hour or more.
</br> - Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
</br> - Grease two baking trays and line with parchment paperTake about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough. Roll into a ball and place on baking tray.
</br> - Into the oven for 10-11 minutes.
</br> - Out of the oven.. serve immediately!
</br>
Notes
** You can use milk/semi-sweet/dark chocolate chips instead of white.
*** These cookies taste amazing even on the 3rd day. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in a cool area.
Pin for later!
If you live in the USA – what are you most thankful for? Did you move to the United States? How long did it take you to adjust to this country?
What great looking cookies! Bet they taste better than they look — which is pretty darn good. Thanks!
Thanks John. They did taste quite amazing.. huge hit with the fam! 🙂
Those look absolutely delicious!!!
P.S. The footwear you asked about it from India 🙂
❥ tanvii.com
Ohhh.. yeah makes sense cause the links I clicked on didn’t look like the ones you were wearing. Thanks so much Tanvi!
HOLY YUM! these look so good. and I had no idea you were from Nigeria. I cried a little reading your post because although I was born here I am clear how lucky I am to be here even though its not perfect and we have our own set of challenages, I truly feel free and able to chase after what I want. Happy fourth even though its super belated. And I am so glad you and your family are here too, diversity makes the USA so great! xoxo
Awww thanks! Such a sweet comment. Yes, you are so lucky to be here! 🙂 Diversity is so important. I hope we will see world peace in our lifetime. Thanks… cookies are great. 🙂
I love red velvet cookies and white chocolates. And these cookies look so pretty and dreamy. YUM.
Thanks Anu. Cookies are really good, not too sweet either. 🙂
Sooo much yes to these cookies. There’s just no beating red velvet! These look perfect!
Thanks Karly. Cookies were amazing. Hope you try them. 🙂
These turned out amazing! Made them with bittersweet chocolate chips instead of the white for the holidays and the whole family enjoyed them. Gave the cookies a little pat when they came out of the oven so they spread a little and have the aesthetic cracks, and served these warm cookies with Mexican Vanilla ice cream. So SO good!!