Cookie Friday: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Now.  Before you get bored with the fact that we are just doing plain, ol' chocolate chip cookies today, let me tell you.  This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I have ever had.  These cookies are specifically asked for anytime I am needed to bring treats or a dessert to an event.  They are soft and chewy AND they stay that way even days after they've been made.

These are the cookies I grew up eating; my mom made them all the time, and I love them.  They are perfect all on their own and/or with a glass of milk.  But they are also perfect for making ice cream sandwiches with.  Just make them a little larger than normal, slap some ice cream between two of them and yumm-o!!

So, without further ado...here's the recipe for THE Best Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/3 c. butter (do NOT substitute margarine!)

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

3 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

12 oz chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.

Cream butter and sugars together; add eggs and vanilla.  

Mix in all of the dry ingredients and then gently stir in the chocolate chips.

Bake for approximately 8 minutes (the tops of your cookies should just barely be turning brown).  Remove from oven and let sit on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

By the way?  This dough is perfect on its own, before being cooked.  

Just sayin' - in case you're a cookie dough sort of person.

Enjoy!

Cookie Friday: Scarecrow Cookies

Confession:  I hate making sugar cookies.

I feel like they're a 3 day long process.  One day to make the dough, one to roll and cut out and another to frost and decorate.  I'm much more of a drop and bake kind of gal.

So, when my son saw these adorable cookies on Pinterest, my heart sunk a little bit.  But.  It is scarecrow season, and it is close enough to a holiday to merit making sugar cookies, so I agreed.

Technically, there is supposed to be "hair" on that scarecrow, but it was just one too many steps for me.  He would be a cute Frosty for Christmas too, don't you think?

And, they're fun for little hands to design exactly how they wish!

Anyway.  You really could use any sugar cookie recipe to make these, or even get store bought cookie dough.  However, here is our favorite sugar cookie recipe:

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

6 c. flour (save 1 c. for the end)
1 t. basking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 c. butter (room temperature)
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. sour cream

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).  Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream at low speed until combined.

Add dry ingredients at low speed just until combined.  Add remaining cup of flour as needed for correct consistency.  Roll out and cut into shapes as desired.  Bake at 425 for 7-8 minutes.

Cookie Friday: Nutella No Bakes

No new Cookie Friday today...my hubby's been out of town all week, 

and today we're off picking him up. YAY!! 

Daddy with all his little monkeys this summer

So, since we're busy celebrating having Daddy home, I am re-posting one of my favorite cookie recipes: Nutella No Bakes.

This recipe is my downfall.  I LOVE these cookies.  They're quick (we're talking 15 minutes!), easy and I always have all the ingredients in my cupboards.  So, unfortunately, anytime I'm craving a chocolaty sweet, these are my go to treat!

Nutella No Bakes

1/4 c. butter
4 T. cocoa
1/2 c. milk
2 c. sugar

In a saucepan, mix the first 4 ingredients and bring to a rapid boil.  Once it starts boiling, stir constantly and boil for 1 minute.

Immediately after your 1 minute is up, remove from heat and add:

1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. Nutella
1/4 c. peanut butter
2 c. oats

Mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper (foil will work too).  Allow to cool and harden.

Cookie Friday: Butterscotch Krispies

I know these are nothing new (but, if you haven't managed to try these yet.  Be warned.  They are deliciously evil.  I may or may not have eaten an entire pan of these by myself.  On more than one occasion).  And technically, they're not even cookies.  But.  Kehlton asked to make these for Cookie Friday and there was no changing his mind.   Who I am try get in his way?

These are quick and simple to make.  And once you buy the ingredients to make one batch, you actually have enough to make two batches.  So when the first pan disappears too quickly, you have back up waiting.

You will need:

1 c. light corn syrup

1 c. sugar
1 c. peanut butter (chunky or creamy)
6-7 c. rice krispies cereal
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips

Combine sugar and syrup in large saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture just begins to boil.  Remove from heat.  Stir in peanut butter and mix well.  Add rice krispies and stir until blended.  Press mixture into buttered 9x13 pan.

Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together.  Stir until blended.  Spread evenly over rice krispie mixture.  Cool and then cut into bars.

A couple of notes?  I never put 6 cups of cereal in these just because I prefer them to be much gooier.  I usually only do 4-5 cups.  Also?  I never wait for them to cool.  In our house, the pan is usually half gone before they've cooled completely. They are equally delicious warm or cool.