Cakey Cookies: Thanks Martha

I have been searching for a good recipe for cakey chocolate chip cookies... Finally my search is over! Martha had a recipe that passed the test. I am not a fan of c.c. cookies, so I could really care less if they are crisp, flat, chewy or cakey! However, the cute guy LOVES cakey cookies. So after many taste test we finally found one that hit the spot! So with out further ado...


Cakey Chocolate Chip CookiesMakes about 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (about 12 ounces) semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter with both sugars; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
2. Drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake until cookies are golden around the edges and set in the center, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

* Here is the only substitution I made... I used butter flavored Crisco in place of the butter. I find the melting point to be higher for Crisco, therefore the cookies bake up instead of flattening out.

Blueberry Muffins...

and gluten free, made with brown rice flour. :)

Homemade Rolls...

These Rolls are a family favorite! I have been making them for years, and they don't seem to hang around long. The rolls are very easy to make, especially when I employ the use of my bread machine. I usually make my breads by hand, but this recipe is so easy in the machine. In fact, I only use the bread machine to make dough. I purchased my bread machine at the thrift store for less than 5.00. So don't run out and purchase a new machine. :)

Homemade Rolls
Place ingredients in machine in order they appear in recipe...

1 1/2 c. warm water
1/4 c. oil
2 tbsp. Honey or brown sugar
2 tsp salt
4 c. all purpose flour or half wheat flour/ half white
2 tsp. active dry yeast (make a small well in top of flour)

Set machine to dough cycle and let it run. When the dough cycle is done ( my machine it takes 1 1/2 hours), punch dough down and let rest 10 minutes. (I only do this if I am feeling generous with my time). Pinch off balls of dough a little smaller than a tennis ball or larger than a golf ball if you want smaller rolls. Fold dough to bottom to make smooth top, gently dust with flour and place in a greased baking pan. Place on the stove top (warm area) cover with dish towel and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.
~Blessings

Just to take the chill off...

Taco Soup
1 lb. ground sirloin
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 pack taco seasoning
1 can pinto beans
1 can white kidney beans
1/2 diced onion
Frito Chips

Brown onion and ground beef, drain if needed. Add beans, tomatoes, and seasoning packet to stock pot and one or two cans of water, and simmer at least 30 mins. Dish out and top with fritos and cheese. Enjoy! It is guaranteed to take the chill out of your bones!
~Blessings

Finger Knitting

Last week I took the time to whip myself up a little gift. A soft, warm neck cozy. I managed to use up some left over chunky yarn and learn a new skill. It took all of 25 min. to make. Time well spent if you ask me, I know my neck thinks so!