Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Cookies

 

My latest sweet obsession has been sea salt caramel. It all started with an unplanned purchase of Ben and Jerry's Salted Caramel Core at Target. Yes, I am a constant victim of unplanned Target purchases. After I finished my Ben and Jerry's ice cream, I had the inspiration to try different sea salt caramel ice creams to see if there was something better. Who was I kidding? Nothing beats Ben and Jerry's Salted Caramel Core. Save yourself the effort of trying different brands and just stick with Ben and Jerry's. If I am not in the mood for ice cream, I am in the mood for cookies. I had a coworker make these cookies for work and I immediately searched for the recipe. If you try to make these cookies, make sure you have someone to make them for, or else, you will end of eating all of them yourself...unless yourself is your intended audience. In that case, no judgement here *wink*.

Apple Cheesecake Cookie Bars

I am a big fan of making classics with a twist. I can't define what classic this recipe resembles because I feel it is a culmination of multiple desserts: oatmeal cookie, apple pie, and cheesecake. Regardless, the dessert is delicious so if you're looking to try something new or with a twist, look no further! This dessert as classified as a bar but requires more than your typical bar dessert. This recipe is essentially an oatmeal cookie with a sweetened cream cheese layer, an apple filling, topped with more oatmeal cookie. Irresistible sounding, I know!

You can choose to make your own oatmeal cookie batter and apple pie filling or to buy packaged or canned version. While I like a shortcut every once in awhile, I like to make as much as I can from scratch. I compromised in this recipe and only used canned apple pie filling, which I was skeptical to use - not as bad as I thought but would prefer to make my own. However, to make a dessert on a zip, I know I can count on this recipe!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Flaxseed Cookies

I've decided to end my hiatus from blogging! I apologize to my followers for being MIA but sometimes life just gets atcha and you gotta roll with the punches! However, I am back and I ready to share some great recipes with you! Accept the above plate of cookies as my apology? The title may sound ridiculous and not appealing for a cookie but trust me, titles can be deceiving!

As most of you know, I'm all about a healthy recipe and this recipe is no different. On this Sunday afternoon, I decided I want to make something healthy but still satisfies the sweet tooth. A few weeks back, I went to this cute antique shop that baked fresh oatmeal cookies in the back. I heard good things about these cookies and bought one to try for myself. Needless to say, the cookie was delicious! Everything about the cookie screamed home! The smell reminded me of so many times I would walk around my house and smell fresh baked cookies in the oven. The cookie was soft and just enough sweetness to be considered an indulgence. Every since then, I've been inspired to make my own version of this delicious oatmeal cookie...with a healthy twist. This is the first time I've baked a cookie with whole wheat flour. Typically, I'll mix whole wheat and all-purpose flour because whole wheat flour tends to dry out baked goods but not this recipe. Also, I incorporated flax seed and some nuts to boost the nutritious value in this guilty of a pleasure called a cookie. Hey, at least this is better than a cookie that goes straight to your thighs!

The end product? Delicious and amazing cookies! didn't tell my brother the ingredients of the cookie because he refuses to eat any of my healthy baked goods. He ate the whole cookie...I think he's better off not knowing!

How To Make Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Greetings! It's been awhile since I wrote my last post but let's just say life has been busy. Fortunately, it's not that I haven't been baking since my last post, I just haven't posted my baked goods. It's been long enough so here is a new one for y'all. It feels good to be back!

Everyone has strategies for what makes the perfect chewy chocolate chip cookies. I've been exploring all of these strategies for years and finally found one that is workable. I would like to make tweaks to this recipe but for what it was, it definitely creates chewy chocolate chip cookies! It doesn't require refrigerating the dough, adding ridiculous amounts of butter, etc. All it requires is two teaspoons of cornstarch. Yep, just cornstarch. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself!

I like this recipe but I am going to alter some flavors to my liking. Until I figure it out, this is perfectly fine!

Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

I will never get tired of the chocolate chip cookie. There are many variations and it is crazy how I never get bored of trying a new chocolate chip cookie recipe. How was this recipe inspired? Well, ricotta cheese. First of all, I do not like ricotta cheese. However, I bought some to make stuffed shells for a work potluck because I know people would like it. I don't usually eat what I bring to a potluck...for some reason, it just makes me feel weird, so it wasn't a big to not eat the stuffed shells. However, I had to give it a little taste to make sure I wasn't serving something terrible. Always test your product! To my surprise, the stuffed shells weren't too shabby. I'm not trying to toot my own horn but I learned it's not that I don't like ricotta but it's the amount I often feel there is an excessive amount in what I eat. 

Anyways, the store only sold a huge container of ricotta cheese so I had a LOT of ricotta cheese leftover so I had to do something with it. The first thing that came to my mind was a ricotta pound cake but I didn't want something so heavy and was going to weigh me down...literally. I started searching online to see if there were cookie recipes that ricotta cheese and voila,I found this recipe.

While the cookies do not have a distinct ricotta flavor, the cheese adds a nice texture to the cookies. The cookies turned out to be fluffy, soft, and moist. If you're a fan of the cake-like cookies, this is perfect. The cookies were tasty, not too greasy, and is a great variation of the chocolate chip cookies. Even if you overbake the cookies, the cookies remain moist and soft. No need to worry about the cookies turning hard the next day...if they last until then!

Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

There is something mysterious about the chocolate chip cookie. I know, you might think I’m crazy and I’m okay with that. I mean, how hard can it be to make a soft, chewy, and tasty chocolate chip cookies? Trust me, I’ve made numerous chocolate chip cookies in attempt to achieve the perfect cookie and apparently, there are multiple of factors that go into making a chocolate chip cookie with the perfect taste, texture, and appearance. In my typical nerdy fashion, I researched how to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I came across a plethora of tips: use an extra egg yolk, refrigerate the cookie dough before baking, use melted butter, don’t use melted, use corn syrup, make bigger cookies…the list goes on. You know what I concluded? It is too much work; thus, I shall never achieve the perfect chocolate chip cookie. It was something I was just going to have to come to grips with, well, until I decided to not be lazy anymore.

The top priority most people want in the perfect chocolate chip cookie is a soft and chewy texture and my priority is no exception. However, in order to achieve this, many bakers under bake cookies. While the baking time plays a factor in the texture of the cookie, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bite into a cookie and I thought I mind as well be eating cookie dough. While there is nothing wrong with that a little cookie dough action every once in awhile, I think a true cookie expert doesn’t need to make under baked cookie to achieve a soft and chewy texture.

So the purpose of this rant is to tell you that I’ve found a foolproof chocolate chip cookie recipe that will achieve a desirable textured cookie! In other words, this recipe is a simple way to have soft and chewy cookies without adding stress or time to your baking experience. The secret? Instant pudding mix. The pudding gives the cookies a soft texture that will last for days. As an added bonus, the vanilla pudding gives further depth of flavor to the cookies so you end up consuming multiple (yes, multiple) tasty and soft cookies. Also, you can the swap pudding flavor for a different chocolate chip cookie experience. I used vanilla but the cheesecake pudding sounds like it will make these cookies twice as addicting. More dangerous, yes, but totally worth it. I’m not a big proponent of packaged cookies but I’ve done my taste testing and this recipe is reminiscent of Keebler’s Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies. Obviously, these are homemade and x100,000,000,000 times better than the Keebler’s. Sorry Keebler, no offense. These cookies are super tasty and have the perfect soft and slightly chewy texture.

While I believe these cookies are pretty freaking fantastic, it’s always good to test the recipe on other people. Luckily in my household, testing doesn’t require much work. I can tell a recipe is good if only after a few hours of baking, half of my batch is already gone. Darn that cookie monster!

Caramel Crunch Bar

Having one of the those sweet tooth and don't know what to do about it? Give these caramel crunch bars a try, for they are sure to satisfy the "sweet" tooth in you. This baking concoction is a essentially a shortbread like cookie crust with espresso, brown sugar, and cinnamon to create a caramel flavored base. It is topped with chocolate and toffee bits. The yummy toffee bits enhance the caramel flavor of the cookie and makes this cookie unique and delicious. Do not be deceived by its name for there is no actual caramel in the recipe, just a caramel flavor.

As you can tell, I have been having a cookie bar fad as of late but they are simple and easy, especially if you're making them for an event. Recently, I have been making things for work colleagues and friends and because I have a busy schedule, cookie bars are great go-to recipes. Also, there are so many variations of the cookie bar that no one recipe will seem repetitive.

One thing I loved about the recipe was adding the chocolate layer because the recipe calls for doing so after the cookie has baked in the oven. I simply topped the cookie with the chocolate chips, put the cookie back in the oven for 2 minutes, and took it out again to spread the melted chocolate with an offset spatula. It was super easy and no fuss whatsoever! However, if I had to make one adjustment, I would use dark chocolate chips as opposed to semisweet because the cookie is already sweet so the semisweet chocolate added another layer of sweetness. It was too much sweetness for me but if you do not mind an extra sweetness, feel free to use semisweet or milk chocolate. 

I really love this recipe! These caramel crunch bars are tasty, delicious, and found a home in my recipe book!

S'mores Cookie Bar

I think it is safe to say that a childhood and adulthood favorite for most people are s'mores. Even though I didn't have my first s'more until I was nine (yes, I kept track), this snack always sounded delicious. While I love eating s'mores, I like it better when someone makes it for me because I just do not have the patience to wait for the marshmallows to roast. Needless to say, I am no marshmallow roasting connoisseur so s'mores bars is a great option for me when I have a craving for s'mores. How did I stumble upon this idea? 

Lately, I've been slightly obsessed with Pinterest. The great thing about Pinterest is that I discover things  I would have never discovered on my own. I can conveniently keep track and reflect on the things I find. It is because of Pinterest that I found this awesome recipe. I have consistently come across recipes for s'mores cupcakes and cookie bars which was only a sign for me to do one thing...

Since I always make cupcakes (I'm sure you've noticed), I opted for the cookie bar this time. What a great choice for my Sunday fun day project! I was surprised by how much this recipe tasted like s'mores. I might never make s'mores again, unless it's these s'mores bars. I made the bars about six hours ago and not much remains...oops. At least I know the recipe was a success! Thanks Pinterest!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Blondies

 
While I enjoy making cookies, sometimes I am too lazy to shape the cookies. That's why bar cookies are a great option on a lazy baking day. There are various types of bar cookies and one of my favorites are blondies, which is essentially a brownie without the cocoa. Blondies tend to a have a higher content of brown sugar to create a rich toffee flavor. Although a standard blondie recipe taste great on it's own, it is even better with mix-ins. This version incorporates coconut and chocolate chips. The final product was reminiscent of a seven layer bar. I found this recipe on Brown Eye Baker, which described these cookies to be similar to a Girl Scout Samoas cookie. As I sunk my teeth into these blondies, I could taste the flavors of a Samoas cookie. The blondies were chewy like the samoas cookie and the brown sugar helped to give the cookies an almost caramel flavor like the famous Girl Scout cookies. The coconut gives the blondies a greater than average chewiness which makes the blondies that more delicious. I have a weakness for anything with a chewy texture and this definitely satisfies my chewy obsession!

Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Happy New Years! 2012 is off to a great start...or maybe I should say a sweet start? Are you stuffed with cookies from this holiday? If so, let this be one last reason to get "stuffed" after the holidays. After you make these, we can all go on a new years diet together!

While chocolate chip cookies may be the classic cookie, this twist will make them even more addicting (if such thing exist)! What's this twist I speak of? Stuffing chocolate chip cookies with goodness! Imagine biting into a warm, soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie only to find a surprise in the middle such as marshmallows, a chocolately brownie, or a sweet cream cheese filling?

The greatest thing about this recipe is its versatility. It is not so much about the recipe but the concept. Basically, I took my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and I wrapped the cookie dough in several different things. I used different fillings to test which one I liked the best. The three "stuffers" I used were brownies, chocolate chip cream cheese, and marshmallows (see image above - from top to bottom). Needless to say, each combination was absolutely divine. If I had to pick one, it would be the cream cheese filling...that's only because I have a weakness for cream cheese. The brownie gives an added chocolate kick while the marshmallows give the cookies a lighter and chewier fill. Test all of the fillings to see which one you like the best.

Like I previously stated, this recipe is quite versatile. Feel free to use any chocolate chip cookie you like but in case you don't have a favorite recipe yet, you can borrow mine! Have I convinced you to try these cookies yet? If not, maybe these pictures will help!

Seven Layer Bars

 

2011 is not over just yet which means I still have time to cross things off my 2011 To-Bake List. I recently accomplished one of those feats by making seven layer bars, which happens to be number one on my list. I have been wanting to make these bars forever but because I know it is so simple, I always push it aside to bake something else. During this time of the year, I have many engagements to attend so I end up baking up the wazoo. Unfortunately, I only have so much  time to dedicate for baking so I began thinking about simple, quick, yet satisfying baked goods. This is when I decided to give the seven layer bars a try because I knew it was simple, quick, and satisfying for the taste buds.

Seven layer bars is very descriptive to what this baked good is - layers of ingredients, seven to be exact. While this recipe does not looking amazing and enticing on paper, it is probably be one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. Additionally, seven layer bars is a popular dessert around the holidays. The condensed milk gets browned in the oven and it adds another layer of flavor which makes these bars addicting, seriously addicting. Sometimes the best things are the simple things. Remember that this holiday season! Peace.

Peppermint Chocolate Chewies

I have truly enjoyed the holiday season this year. For the first time, I'm making the holidays to be less about me and more about the people I love and people in need. I have spent countless hours and dollars to make a difference and I have absolutely loved every minute and penny I donated.

 

While the holiday season is about giving, I had to do a little something for myself so I co-hosted my first cookie exchange which turned out to be a complete success. I have been to many cookie exchanges in my life where I usually make a cookie I have never made or have made a thousand times before. Being in a festive mood this year, I wanted to make a cookie that reflected the holidays. After blog browsing, I decided to make a variation of a recipe I found where Oreos are dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy. From this inspiration, I came up with the Chocolate Peppermint Chewies.

Chocolate Perppermint Chewies are a chewy chocolate cookie dipped in white chocolate and topped with crushed peppermint. The chocolate cookie base is relatively healthy without compromising the taste of a delectable cookie. Don't get me wrong, these are not "healthy" cookies because of the high sugar content but is healthier than most cookies found during this time of the year. The cookie looks like a complex cookie but is fairly simple to make. In the end, I had a festive holiday cookie that was popular amongst the cookie eaters. Baking adventure = success. If you want a festive holiday cookie, give this cookie recipe a try! Something to try next time: place a peppermint Hersheys kiss in the center...oh that would be good!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Torte

The name of this recipe makes it seem fancier than it really is. While it is entitled torte, it is essentially a chocolate chip cookie in the shape of cake. Don't get me wrong though, this cookie torte is more than just your standard chocolate chip cookie. Because of its shape, the cookie has the taste of a perfectly golden brown chocolate cookie that is crunchy on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside. That's my idea of perfect chocolate chip cookie!

The torte recipe is slightly different from most chocolate chip cookie recipes because instead of a 2:1 flour to butter ratio, it is 1:1. This means there is a higher proportion of butter in this recipe but that just means a tastier cookie! While the torte is elegant and tasty, it is super easy to make. The preparation of the dough took me no more than ten minutes because it just required mixing all the ingredients in a food processor. It seriously couldn't be any simpler! After mixing all the ingredients, I flatten the dough in a 8 inch round cake pan, threw it in the oven, and waited for my nose to tell me when the torte was ready.

This is a great homemade dessert to make on a weeknight. After a long day of work, the last thing we want to tackle is a homemade dessert for dinner. Now you have a go to recipe. Why is it good? The food processor does all the work, the butter doesn't need to be at room temperature (no advance preparation needed), and there's no need to shape the dough. Top a slice of torte with some vanilla ice cream and you have rewarded yourself with a delicious dessert after a long day of work!

Cinnamon Sugar Butter Cookies

Honestly, there's nothing better than a light, crisp, buttery flavored cookie. Yes, I'm talking about the butter cookie. While these cookies don't necessary trim down the waistline, it's good to indulge every once in awhile! There is something attractive about the butter flavor as these cookies bake in the oven. On top of the buttery goodness, these cookies are rolled in a cinnamon sugar before they hit the oven!

These cookies are easy to make, partially because the main ingredient is butter but there is lot that can be done with a simple butter cookie, like rolling it in cinnamon sugar. Also, you can always guarantee these cookies to be gone a few hours after they come out of the oven.

I got this recipe from the Mrs. Field's Cookbook and I must say everything I make from this book is delectable. I first came across this book, or part of this book, from my mom's recipe collection where she baked her favorite chocolate chip cookies from. I've looked through the book once but I there were so many recipes I wanted, I was better off buying the whole book. So a year ago, my mom and I were browsing a thrift store and there it was, Mrs. Fields cookbook! I immediately snatched it off the shelf and paid a measly five dollars! All I can say, best investment of my life!

Meltables (aka butter cookie)

There is nothing better than a melt-in-your-mouth type of cookie! Even though you're probably thinking about all the butter you are eating in this little morsel, sometimes it's alright! The key to making these cookies melt in your mouth is not the butter...surprisingly! While this is essentially you're standard butter/shortbread-like cookie, this recipe incorporates cornstarch which makes the cookies lighter and airy - all of which makes the cookies disintegrate once it hits your tongue. Can you ask for anything more? I think not!

These cookies are great for beginners. It requires minimal ingredients, no eggs, and fun because you get to roll the dough into balls and dip into powdered sugar when they come out of the oven. If you are one of those cookie batter eaters, this is not necessary one of those yummy batters. Since it's not baked yet, the dough has a chalky taste to it from the cornstarch. Don't worry, it practically feels like you're eating cookie dough after you bake the cookies because they are so light! The cookies have a rich butter taste so make sure to use high quality butter. I think next time, I'll incorporate some almond extract just to spice things up a little.Try these simple, quick, and satisfying cookie recipes!

Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookies (Replicates): Too Many Chocolate Chip Cookies? Never!

Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most greatest inventions ever. Don't you agree? One of the reasons why it is so awesome is because it is versatile and comes in many shapes and sizes. I want to share a recipe for with you that makes these chocolate chip cookies a little different from the other ones. The main difference: cinnamon. You will see what I mean while the cookies are still in the oven. I cannot describe how simply decadent that smell is because the cinnamon aroma infuses through the entire house. It makes my mouth water and it's unfortunate because the cookies are not even done baking yet. These cookies are best straight out of the oven because they are soft, squishy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The cinnamon gives these cookies a unique character and it reminds me of cookies that I buy at a bakery. Now I can bake those bakery cookies at home!

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle

 

I will be the first one to tell you that I am an avid peanut butter fan. I eat peanut butter practically everyday. I think I mentioned that I eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich everyday for breakfast. This past summer, I went on an European cruise and the selection for breakfast is enormous. It had everything I wanted, English muffins, banana, plain yogurt...everything but peanut butter. I thought it was absolutely crazy and then I forgot that I was on an EUROPEAN cruise so what do they have instead? Jam, butter, and Nutella! I went a week without peanut butter, it was hard but I survived. 

Anyways, as much as I like peanut butter, I am not a fan of peanut butter cookies. There's something about the balance of sugar and peanut butter that makes the cookie unappealing to me. On top of that, whenever you go somewhere and there is a selection of cookie, the peanut butter cookies are always the one left behind. I have been on a baking craze since I have been home so when I thought of the idea to make cookies for a friend, I remembered he likes peanut butter cookies. I whipped out my Better Homes and Garden cookbook and found a peanut butter cookie recipe. To my surprise, the cookies turned out well and I would not mind eating these cookies. Granted, I would not pick this cookie over a chocolate chip cookie but it was one of the better peanut butter cookies I have had. There's a first time for everything and surprisingly, I don't think it's going to be my last time making these cookies. 

Chocolate Florentine

 I have always enjoyed eating florentines but never thought to make them. Florentines are thin and crispy and typically has nuts or fruit in the batter. Other times, florentines are plain and dipped in chocolate or chocolate is sandwiched between two florentine to make a sandwich. I had two inspirations to make florentines. Every year, my friend gives me a tin of holiday cookies and one of my favorites is the florentine. Also, this cookies has a lot of oatmeal and my dad likes cookies with oatmeal in it (If you do too, check out Oatmeal Cookies).

Florentines are similar to lace cookies but there are some notable differences, one being the fact that florentines use a lot more oatmeal and uses corn syrup while lace cookies uses just butter and has a chewier consistency. Since there are no leavening agents in the cookies, it is easy to play with proportions of certain ingredients such as sugar. I used 3/4 cup of sugar instead of the 1 cup this recipe called for. I felt with corn syrup and chocolate, the cookie would be overwhelmingly sweet so I cut the sugar and I think it is the perfect balance for a cookie. Of course it's not overly sweet but for the individuals with a palette that cannot handle really sweet cookies, use 3/4 cup of sugar. I know my dad will enjoy these!

Sugar Cookies - The Cookie Cutter Kind

 

It is honestly not the holidays in my house unless there are sugar cookies. Usually, I attempt to make the perfect light, thin, and crisp sugar cookies but those are nowhere near picture worthy. Instead I used the same dough and rolled them out to drop cookies and this is what resulted. Also, my family is torn between soft and chewy and thin and crispy sugar cookies. This year, I satisfied both parties! Which side do I prefer? Thin and crispy of course.

I'm still working on finding the perfect thin and crispy recipe that is easy to roll out and use cookies cutter with. I'm guessing I have to find a recipe that uses more flour so I'll let you know when I find it. These cookies are great for decorating but sometimes I like them just they way they are, plain.

I have used a recipe from Sunsets cookbook for years but in order to achieve the thin and crispy cookie, I had to modify the recipe to make the cookies airy and lighter. I ended up replacing all of the granulated sugar with powdered sugar and in the end, I achieved light and airy cookies but it was too soft to roll out and use cookie cutters. Either way, I prefer taste and flavor over appearance any day. I guess it doesn't hurt to have a pretty appearance either because I get pretty pictures like these!

Oatmeal Cookies

It's nice to be home for Christmas and the holidays because that means I get to bake as much as I want! While baking adds to the holiday pounds, at least I'm enjoying my time off. Speaking of holiday pounds, I do not think oatmeal cookies are as bad as other baking goods. I'd like to think because there is oatmeal, there is some nutritional value, right? Anyways, I like oatmeal and I like raisin but I never had the urge to make oatmeal raisin cookies. However, this recipe is a good recipe, especially if you want something different from the standard chocolate chip cookies. You can take this oatmeal cookie recipe and add in chocolate chips and voila, you have a completely different cookie.

I changed the proportion of brown sugar and white sugar and I liked how it turned out. It gave the cookie a richer butter flavor which I love considering the recipe does not have as much butter compared to other cookies.

These cookies are very versatile so try different add-ins when you want something a little different. I split my batch in half. I left half of the batch plain while I added raisins to the other half.