Week 1 :: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Might as well start Week 1 with a staple recipe.  These Chocolate Chip Cookies are wonderful and you can add whatever you want (caramels, milk chocolate morsels, raisin, nuts, etc). My favorite variation, the Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie, is included.  Modifications are noted in parenthesis and all else stays the same!  I shared these with friends this week and had all positive reviews....except for one that is.  I gave a piece to a little 2-year-old friend who chewed it up, spit it out, and handed it to a stranger.  So maybe there is still some work to be done :o)  Let me know if you try these or any variation.  Happy baking!

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies)
All recipes
Prep time :: 10 minutes
Total time :: 1.5 hours
Yields :: 24 cookies (36 cookies)


:: Ingredients ::

• 2 cup flour (1 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 t. baking soda (same)
• 1/2 t. salt (same)
• 3/4 cup butter, softened (1 cup)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (same)
• 1/2 cup white sugar (same)
• 1 T. vanilla extract (same)
• 2 eggs (same)
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
• (+ 1 cup walnuts)
• (+ 3 cups oatmeal)

:: Directions ::

1. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.
2. Place butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 15 seconds (no need to microwave if using an electric mixer). Add both brown and white sugar and cream together.  Add vanilla extract, eggs and mix well.  Stir in flour mixture. Add chocolate chips (walnuts and oatmeal if desired) and stir until just mixed.
3. Refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours (up to 3 days).
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
5. Roll dough into balls about 1.5" in diameter.  Place on cookie sheet with 2" between cookies.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes.
7. Allow cookies to cool for 3-5 on sheet before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

I used a lot of recipes from allrecipes.com.  It's easy to navigate their site, search and sort by rating and end up with some simple and great recipes.  You will see this site linked many times throughout the year!