The Countdown Begins.....12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies 2011

Did I say Christmas Cookies?  12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies?  I know what you are thinking.....how can I be thinking of Christmas when we are just barely out of summer.  Well, this time of year flies by and before you know it, the holidays will be here.  

Last year I participated in the 12 weeks of Christmas Cookies hosted by April from Abby Sweets.  This year I am participating again and it will be hosted by Brenda from Meal Planning Magic.  I hope to share a cookie or treat every week, depending on my schedule.  There will be a blog hop at the end of my post so you can see what others have made.  What a great way to share recipes and hopefully will inspire you to bake some sweet treats for the holiday season.

My first recipe is the classic chocolate chip cookie.  Every holiday cookie plate has to have chocolate chip cookies.  My go to recipe has always been Nestle Toll House Cookies.  But, I'm always game to try different chocolate chip cookie recipes.  This cookie comes from Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook.  It's a thin cookie.  Crusty on the edges but also buttery and chewy.  A really good chocolate chip cookie to share with family and friends.  But then again, have you ever had a chocolate chip cookie you didn't like.  Give this one a try.  I think you'll see them disappear. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe by Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened (original recipe calls for salted butter)

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 large eggs

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease cookie sheet(s) or line with Silpat.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt.  

In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugars.  Add the water and vanilla.  Mix the ingredients until they are just combined.  Add the eggs and mix them lightly.  Stir in the flour mixture.  Fold in the chocolate chips.  Be careful not to overmix the dough.

Drop the cookies 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet(s) using two tablespoons or a cookie scoop.  

Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges and centers are brown.  Remove the cookies a wire rack to cool.

(Print recipe here)

  

Come back every Thursday for a new Cookie/Treat/Sweet recipe.  Let the countdown begin!

Enjoy!

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson: If you do not have a Silpat, you must butter your cookie pan or your cookies will stick.  I had to butter my pans generously so these thin cookies wouldn't stick and fall apart as I took them off to cool.