more cookies...

Some weeks include more bumps and bruises then others, and sometimes they are both emotionally and physically draining. This is one of those weeks. 

So a few minutes knitting swatches for a future project; a few minutes taking my frozen cookie dough out of the freezer and popping them into the oven; and a little more then a few minutes trying out a restaurant (I have been waiting a long time to try) with my Mom... those moments are worth taking.

The recipe for the cookies... after making the dough, you can flash freeze some instead of baking them all. To flash freeze, make 1 in. size balls of dough, place on a foil or parchment lined baking sheet and place in the freezer for 1 hour. Pull out of the freezer and transfer into a freezer ziplock bag. Label and place back into the freezer. When ready to bake, take out the number you want and let them rest on the baking sheet while the oven preheats. Bake as directed.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Mary Engelbreit's Cookies Cookbook, 1998

(makes about 5 dozen cookies)

-2 c. all-purpose flour

-1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.

-1 cup granulated sugar

-2/3 c. packed light brown sugar

-2 large eggs

-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

-1 1/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips (8 oz.)

-4 oz. white chocolate, cut into 1/4-1/2 in. pieces

-1 c. macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped (optional-I leave them out so the kids will eat them.)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

3. In large bowl, beat the butter, sugar granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the chocolate chips, white chocolate and nuts.

4. Drop the dough by slightly rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. 

5. Bake 9-11 minutes, until the cookies are just set. Cool the cookies for 2 to 3 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.


*yarn: osprey in storm