Chocolate Chip Cookies

As I sit here at 10am stuffing my face with chocolate chip cookies, I can't help but to appreciate how easy it is to bake up some cookies from scratch. 

I actually have never made cookies before (I usually stick to cupcakes or regular cakes) and so I was a bit nervous! Especially because I promised my manager I was going to bring in cookies the next day- without even knowing how they would turn out!!!

I made some classic chocolate chip cookies (and threw in some walnuts, to make it fancier.. of course)

The recipe follows: (thank you allrecipes.com):

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• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
3. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

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Alright, so maybe I'm getting a kick out of chocolate these days or maybe I was just trying to use up my bag of chocolate chips, but either way, this simple cookie recipe turned out to be amazing!

I used light brown sugar (instead of dark) and made sure to NOT skip the step of dissolving my baking soda in the hot water (I have a feeling it made a huge difference). Even with the huge globs I used for each cookie, I made over 3 dozen!

It came out soft and chewy on the center while crispy on the edges. Perfect! The nuts gave it more of a little crunch and added surprise, and my coworkers (and boss) ended up loving them! They didn't believe it was my first time!

I can't wait to make cookies again, who knew it could be this easy, this yummy and would make SO MANY treats!

Give this simple recipe a try, and perhaps share them with some coworkers- you'll be a hit at the office!

Difficulty: Easy

Taste: 8.5

Time: 30 minutes

Brownies

As a child, I never got that chocolate craze that all the other kids seemed to have. I actually.. didn't like it. Chocolate ice cream seemed gross, hot fudge sundaes were repulsing and I only liked Hershey's Cookies and Cream. 

Yes, I was a weird kid. But never fear! My love for chocolate has slowly been growing, and there are days where I need to have chocolate.. or else.. i'd probably go insane!

The other day, I was watching TV and could not stand my chocolate craving.. so I pulled up a brownie recipe and whipped them up (thank goodness for a stocked kitchen). Fairly easy and incredibly fudgey and delicious, i shared some with co-workers the next day and they couldn't have enough!

Here is the recipe (from allrecipes.com)

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• For the brownies:
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 
  
• For the frosting: 
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 
  

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

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Very easy, very delicious. For those of you who like the cakey brownies with the lame walnuts in them, skip this recipe! This makes fudgey, chocolately brownies and is anything but cakey. 

This makes around a dozen good sized brownies, so plenty if it's just you and Zeus. 

Give it a try if you're hankering for some chocolate.. it sure hits the spot!

Ah, the power of chocolate!

Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Taste: 9