Chocolate Chip Cookies

America’s Favorite Cookie . . . Chocolate Chip!

This is a family recipe that I make anytime I need to take a sweet treat somewhere (hello, office food days!).  They always get rave reviews and are usually requested in advance.

In the past, I have altered this recipe to include dark chocolate mint chips, white and milk chocolate chips and plan to add nuts to them sometime soon.  When I am in the mood for just a good ole’ cookie I use Nestle Milk Chocolate Chips (not semi-sweet).  This makes a big difference, to me anyway.

First, I blend the shortening and brown and vanilla sugars. Then, I beat in the vanilla and eggs.

In a separate bowl, I sift the flour, baking soda and salt.

Next, I slowly add the dry mixture to the sugar/egg mixture while mixing.

Once completely mixed, I add the milk chocolate chips and fold them in by hand using a spoon.

I drop large spoonfuls of dough onto a baking pan covered in foil.  Bake at 375 degrees for 11 minutes.

Once done, let cool for 5 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Eat as many as you want!  I enjoy sampling the dough as well . . . but that’s just me!  J

Enjoy!

Rachael

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup Butter Crisco

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 ¼ cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 ½ cup Milk Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

In large bowl, cream together butter and sugars.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.  Slowly add flour mixture to the egg-sugar mixture until completely combined.  Add chocolate chips and mix by hand with spoon.

Spoon onto foil-lined baking sheet. 

Bake for 11 minutes.  After cookies are done baking, let cool for five minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

S'MORES Bars

Summer + Snack time = S’MORES!!

I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t start salivating at the thought of s’mores (I’m sure these people are out there- I just have never met them!)  What could possibly be better than sitting around a campfire and eating chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers….s’mores bars you can make any time of the year minus the open fire, hassle of camping and messy face from the gooey marshmallow!  J

I found this recipe on Pinterest a couple days ago and KNEW I had to make it ASAP!  It turned out so good that my nieces (who only eat candy and cupcakes) gobbled them up.  Below is the recipe and link.

First, I put the graham crackers in a large plastic bag and used a rolling pin to crush into crumbs.

I mixed together the butter and sugar in a large bowl.  Then I beat in the egg and vanilla.

Next, I whisked together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Then added it to the butter mixture and mixed at low speed until combined.

I pressed half of the dough into an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish.

Next, I placed the chocolate bars on top of the graham cracker mixture.

Marshmallow fluff is next.  I spread it on top of the chocolate bars.

I put the remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff.  Helpful hint: I flattened the dough in my hand and placed it in the dish; similar to shingles.

I baked the dish at 350 degrees for 30 – 35 minutes.

Truth be told…I couldn’t wait 30+ minutes to taste the deliciousness so I made a faux smore in the microwave while I waited!  J

Enjoy!

Rachael

S’MORES BARS

½ cup butter, room temperature

¼ cup brown sugar

½ cup sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

¾ cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

1 six-pack of chocolate bars (Hershey's)

1 ½ cup marshmallow crème / fluff

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8 x 8 casserole dish.

In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  In small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt.  Add butter to mixture and mix at low speed until combined.

Divide dough in half and press half of the dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.  Place chocolate bars over the dough.  Three bars fit perfectly side by side, but break another bar in thirds to cover the bottom so the entire layer is covered.  Spread chocolate with marshmallow crème or fluff.  Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff.  I flattened the dough in my hand and placed it in the dish; similar to shingles.

Bake for 30 – 35 minutes, until lightly browned.  Cool completely before cutting into bars.

http://witandwhistle.com/2012/05/14/smore-bars/