And It Feels So Good...

I made these cookies for a family reunion this month:

And they were a big success.  I think they were the first cookie gone, but they always are.  This is a no brainer cookie- It's popular with everyone and everyone is really drawn to it even amongst a plethora of cookies, most likely because they know just looking at it that they're going to like it, unlike some 'mystery cookies' where they might, or might not.  And if you're going to be naughty and indulge in a treat, might as well take the one you know you're going to enjoy, right?!  The cookie is nothing super fancy or special, but they really are a crowd pleaser.  So against my better judgment I am sharing the recipe for these little devils.  (Not a low calorie food! Haha.)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup Baking Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 10-oz. pkg. SWIRLED Semi Sweet Premier White Morsels.  Plus one additional cup (Nice, but not absolutely necessary).

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 325° F. 

COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in entire package of morsels. Drop by well-rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets. For extra effect and morsels take an additional cup of morsels and carefully dot the top of each cookie with the chips. 

BAKE for 11 to 13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

My personal recommendations are this:  

1.  Use parchment paper or silpats (a silicone mat that you can find at a specialty kitchen store that fits onto the classic large cookie sheet, these mats are completely non-stick and I have two and I love them like cherished friends-but to warn you, they're not cheap).  They're just SO effective.  

2.  DON'T over-bake.  Remember that during the two minutes you leave them on the cookie sheet after you pull them out of the oven they will continue to bake on the hot sheet.  Look in at eleven minutes and if the cookies are  puffy but the edges of each cookie look set, take them out, if not up the time in just one minute increments. 

3.  Give them a full two minutes on the sheet before you start pulling them off, but don't leave them on till they're fully cooled.  

4.  The wire cooling rack is a very, very good invention and was made for a reason - you will see a difference if you haven't been using one.

So there you go, enjoy!!!