Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

I got this recipe ages ago but rarely made them. I finally did so a couple of weeks ago for a friend's party, and they were a huge hit. I was reminded of how delicious they are, so I made Sam make them again tonight while I worked on my senior thesis (blech). So here you go! Partake, anon! (PS these pictures aren't very good. There's a lack of natural light in this neighborhood lately)
The secret ingredient!
I also got to utilize our cute new cookie tin (air-tight too!). I love it.

Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
from an ex-boyfriend fellow

2 ¼ c flour
1 t baking soda
1 c butter (softened)
¼ c white sugar
¾ c brown sugar
1 (4 oz) package instant vanilla or chocolate pudding mix
1 t vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a medium bowl, mix flour and baking soda; set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugars, pudding mix, and vanilla; beat until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture; stir in chips. Batter will be stiff. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Yummy dough: tastes better than it looks, I promise.
Fresh from the oven!
Resting place.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Lo and Behold!

As my parents' wedding gift to us, we were able to go out and purchase a Kitchenaid! YES!!!
I am so incredibly excited. It's a beautiful candy apple green (I wanted a lighter green, but Sam, who is allergic to mint, said it looked too much like the offending herb and refused to let me get it, but that's ok) and it is going to make my baking life fifty times easier. I just wish it wasn't so dang heavy.
Anybody want me to make them a cake?
The inaugural recipe was cheesecake marble brownies-- something simple, but chocolatey and delicious and different. I'm making bread next though-- food I've put off making very often because it's very difficult to get good results with out any kind of electric mixer.

I also got to use my brand new double boiler. My cooking life has gotten significantly less ghetto since I got married and got all these presents, let me tell you.
Another thing-- I was cracking eggs into the batter, but the egg was recalcitrant, so I said "come on egg, hatch that velociraptor!" Which is a veiled reference to Jurassic Park, of course. And then the next egg cracked (without help) like this:

GASP! LIFE HAS FOUND A WAY.