First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. What a great day it was. After I dropped off my daughter, my son wanted a mommy/son day. We went to the park this morning before it became too hot. Then we came home and had lunch. We had simple sandwiches and apple slices. After lunch we decided to make a snack for sissy when she came home. Here is what we came up with.

Chocolate Surprise Cookies

Ingredients:
•2-1/2 cups flour
•1 tsp. baking soda
•1/4 tsp. salt
•3/4 cup sugar
•3/4 cup brown sugar
•1 cup butter, softened
•2 eggs
•1 tsp. vanilla
•3-4 pkgs. chocolate mint wafers (I use Andes candies)

Preparation:
In large bowl, combine all ingredients except mint wafers, and beat at low speed until dough forms. Chill dough at least 2 hours.
Shape a scant tablespoon of dough around each chocolate mint, making sure to cover the candy completely. Roll the ball between your hands to make it smooth and place on on ungreased cookie sheets at least 3" apart.

Bake at 375 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes, until light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet immediately.

To freeze, divide dough into two teaspoon portions and freeze on a cookie sheet. Package into freezer containers, label, seal, and freeze up to 3 months. To use, let dough stand overnight in the refrigerator. Wrap dough around the mint candy and bake as directed.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, it is over 90 degrees already this morning.  Humidity is very high and I am baking a batch of cookies to put in the freezer.  Today I am making good old fashioned chocolate chip cookies.   This is my go to crowd pleaser recipe.

Ingredients


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





Directions

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.