THE BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are THE BEST chocolate chip cookies in the world. In the WORLD. And I've made A LOT of cookies. I got this recipe from another food blog (Apple A Day).

You'll need:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips (OR 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 peanut butter chips)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Start with butter and sugar - the way all good things start. Blend together the softened butter with both sugars until creamy.

Mix in an egg and vanilla, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

 

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture, just until blended.

The trick is not over mixing, so stop blending before the flour disappears completely. Folding in the chocolate chips will take care of the lingering flour.

Use a mini-scooper to drop globs of cookie dough on parchment paper, and slightly flatten the tops.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, and no longer than that! These cookies don't really turn brown on top, so it is sometimes hard to tell when they're done, but 10 minutes is plenty!

After I put in the first tray, I had the urge to throw in a handful of peanut butter chips to the remaining cookie dough. Good choice.

 When you take them out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the tray for about 10 minutes before removing.

Gorgeous. Enjoy these - they get eaten fast!

No-Bake Cookies

I've completely been neglecting this blog for the past month, but for a good reason... I'm about to graduate!! So as I wrap up my final papers and presentations and try to keep up with work, this blog has temporarily sunk pretty low on my list of priorities. But here are some quick and delicious cookies that will hopefully keep you happy until I walk across that stage and can start cooking and baking more!

You'll need:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Start by pouring the first four ingredients into a large saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally as everything starts to melt together.

Once those ingredients are combined, let the mixture simmer for one minute. Then, remove from heat and add the peanut butter and oatmeal, stirring until the peanut butter is melted and oatmeal is well-distributed through the mixture. (Sorry for the lack of pictures here!)

Drop large spoonfuls of the mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. And it doesn't matter how close together the cookies are because you're not baking them so they won't expand!

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until firm enough to pick up with your hand.

Sending you (belated) love from my kitchen. Enjoy!

Oreo Cheesecake Cookies

Another delicious find from Multiply Delicious' food blog - find the original recipe HERE.

You'll need:

1 stick of butter, softened

3 oz. cream cheese

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup Oreo crumbs

1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and prepare your baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.

Blend butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.  Add the sugar and vanilla and mix again.  Add the flour gradually, mixing until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Stir in the mini chocolate chips.

Crush Oreo cookies in a blender or food processor.  Scoop balls of dough and roll in the Oreo crumbs, covering completely.

Then, place on the baking sheet.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, and let cool for a few minutes before removing from the tray.

Melt the white chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave, and drizzle on the cookies once they reach room temperature.

Hope you enjoy them! 

Sending you love from my kitchen.

Oatmeal Nutella & Walnut Cookies

I discovered Nutella a few months ago, and I just can't get enough of it!  Whether it's spread on toast for a post-workout snack or right out of the jar with a spoon at the end of a stressful day, Nutella is like heaven in a jar and has a special place in my kitchen.

I've experimented baking with Nutella only once before with these cupcakes, and they were a hit at the office!  Today was a coworker's birthday, so I pulled out my Nutella again for these cookies.  It was definitely a good choice!

You'll need:
1 stick of butter, softened
3/4 cup Nutella
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 1/4 cups oats


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix butter, Nutella, and sugars for 2 minutes.

Add eggs and vanilla, and mix for another minute.

Add dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon).  Most people mix these in a separate bowl first, but I usually just go ahead and throw it in as I measure.... it all mixes together in the end anyway!

Using a large wooden spoon, mix in walnuts and oats.  Place rounded spoonfuls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  No need to grease with cooking spray; parchment paper is magical, and your cookies will slide right off.

Bake for 10 minutes.  Let them cool for another 10 minutes as the scent of Nutella spreads through your entire house... another reason why the kitchen is the best room.  Just a warning... you may need some milk with these. :)

And they're great for celebrations...

Happy birthday, Debbie!

Sending you love (in the form of Nutella) from my kitchen.