day 30 - ultimate chocolate chip cookies

So today I finally decided to attempt the chocolate chip cookie.  It is one of those things that when you find the {perfect} recipe, you keep it forever.  Today's was pretty darn good and probably would have been perfect for me with the addition of walnuts, however, I kept my family in mind, and left them out.

The cookies were chewy with a crisp edge.  Full of chocolate chips (and butterscotch chips in this case).  Best of all... they were huge! 

I started off with 1 cup of softened butter - I left mine out last night so I could get an early start today.  I put that in the mixer, and let it get super creamy and fluffy all on it's own.  Once the butter was well creamed, I added 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of brown sugar.  The brown sugar helps with the chewy factor of the cookies.  Let that mix for a while, scraping down the sides as needed.  Into a glass measuring cup went 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla and a mixture of hot water, baking soda and salt.  By dissolving the baking soda in hot water, it ensured it was evenly distributed throughout the cookies.  This got poured in slowly, allowing all the ingredients to fully combine.  Finally 3 cups of flour were added one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Lastly, 2 cups of chocolate chips, or a combination, were added.  If desired, an additional cup of chopped walnuts can be added.  I scooped these out with a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop to make super big cookies.  On some of the cookies, I put a caramel in the middle, just to add to the decadence.  Bake in a 350* oven for about 15 minutes  - 10 minutes if you make smaller cookies.  Let them cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. 

They are great on their own, with a glass of milk, cup of coffee, whatever you like.  Give them a try!

Jimmy even approves!