Yes...another chocolate chip cookie recipe

I know I know...

It seems like the only thing that I know how to bake is chocolate chip cookies, but the batch that I made this weekend was SOOOOO good, I had to share it! I found this recipe on Canadian Living, and gave it a try. It was amazing! Derek ate 8 of them in one sitting....

Now, if you are determined to make these cookies, you must not skimp on any of the ingredients. Don't try to cut the butter down or cheap out on the chocolate chips. A few more tablespoons of fat won't kill and will makes a world of difference in these cookies!! And honestly, if you are making chocolate chip cookies, no matter how you look at it, you are not eating the healthiest thing in the world. So just embrace it!

Here is what you will need:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

1. In bowl, beat butter and gradually beat in granulated and brown sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
   
2. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt, and stir into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. (At this point, the dough may look dry, just throw the wooden spoon away and use you hands to mix, the dough will soften up)
   
3. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto parchment paper–lined or greased rimless baking sheets.
   
5. With the spoon, flatten to 1/2 inch (1 cm) thickness.
   
6. Bake in 350F oven for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are still slightly underbaked. Let cool on pans on racks for 3-5 minutes.
   
7. Transfer to racks; let cool completely.
8. Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe adopted from Canadian Living

Chocolate Chip Apricot Cookies

A twist on a classic favorite!

A very good friend of mine's mom made this for me ages ago, and it's been one of my favorite cookies ever since! My friend and his family lives in Calgary so unfortunately, I rarely get the opportunity to enjoy their amazing baked goods these days... Decker family - I miss you guys!!! (not only for your cookies)

I am not a particularly good baker, but today was a rainy day outside, and I felt that the only way to make it sunny inside our tiny apartment was to bake some warm, chocolaty cookies. I found this recipe to be a tad bit more greasy than usual, so I cut down on the Margarine. I also cut down on the sugar because I don't want cavities...however, if you like sweets, add in 1/2 -1 cup more sugar.

Ingredients:
2 cups of all purpose flour
1 1/2 Tsp Baking powder
1 Tsp salt
5 Tbsp Margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar, not packed down
1 large egg
2 Tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup apricot chunks, very small chucks

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (I learned this + a big chunk of this recipe from my favorite Bakergirl of life, it's brilliant!!)
   
2. Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl
3. Melt Margarine, and once it has cooled, slowly add in the sugars (both granulated and brown).
4. Whisk egg and vanilla into the margarine/sugar mixture, keep whisking until everything is well mixed
5. Combine the margarine mixture with the flour mixture
6. Fold in apricots and chocolate chips
   
7. Eat some dough (I mean...taste some for quality control)
8. Roll the dough into little balls, place them onto parchment paper, and press the balls into a semi-flat, round shape
9. Bake for 10 minutes
10. Leave cookies on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then move them onto paper towels or a wire rack to cool
11. Enjoy!! Makes about 24 cookies.