Thick & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

Yesterday was cold wasn’t it? That’s why I didn’t leave the house, cranked the oven & baked the day away. I found The Brown Eyed Baker’s recipe for gingerbread men cookies & I was really hoping it would turn out to taste like the cookies my former boss & owner of a small cafe in Little Italy in downtown NYC used to make. I gave them a shot, said a little prayer & achieved great success! These cookies are have just the right amount of spice that hit every note gingerbread cookies should sing. My favorite part is that they addictively chewy which I feel is really missing in a lot o gingerbread cookies that I’ve had. These were so good that my chocolate chip cookie-loving husband had to agree that they were really good (even if they didn’t have any chocolate in them).

I think the key to making these cookies a success is to follow the directions to a t. Chill your dough - don’t skip this part. When lifting your cookie-cutter shapes to put them on the baking sheet be gentle & use a metal spatula to place them on the baking sheet. Let the cookies cool - completely before attempting to ice them.

What’s your favorite gingerbread recipe? THIS is definitely mine!
(PS: I went a little photo happy so keep reading for more photos!)

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Smoked Sea Salt

A couple months ago I had a chocolate chip cookie with smoked sea salt from Haven's Kitchen, & I haven't stopped thinking about it since.  They're sweet, chocolatey & the smokiness of the sea salt just brings them to a different level - the best level. So when I hosted a girls day/night at my house I knew I had to give them a go.

I used my go-to chocolate chip cookie dough recipe (you can get it here) & before I popped the cookies in the oven I sprinkled each with some yummy smoked sea salt that I actually found at Home Goods for a very reasonable price (who knew salt could be so expensive otherwise!?).  If you don't want to make cookies from scratch you can totally jazz up store bought cookie dough with this fancy salt.

Linzer Heart Cookies Made with Love

I've read the book, 5 Love Languages, & it's save to say the way I like to give & receive love is quality time.  These cookies are time in three bites with a cup of coffee or tea.

These cookies are not the easiest to make. They take a bunch of time & a lot of love. I had to reroll & cut them a bunch of times, so if you opt to challenge this recipe, I feel your pain.

Last night I spent some time (the best gift of all) with some of my best girl friends.  We shared food & lots of laughs. There is really nothing better & I'm so blessed to have them in my life (thanks girls!!!). I brought some of these with me for a parting treat. I think they're yummy & hope the girls did too.

Click through for photos of this cookie making process.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family!

After a great night with one of my favorite couples, Suz & Sam, I was up early to bid them adieu & to make some tried & true recipes: root vegetable stuffing & chocolate chip cookies.

What do you have cooking in your kitchen?

Double Tree Chocolate Chip Cookies

A co-worker made these cookies for my team & I long before I'd even tasted the original famous Double Tree Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I was instantly impressed & needed the recipe.  Since then I keep a stained piece of paper  in my mini recipe binder (that I've had since I was 12 ) with just the ingredients written down. I've made these cookies so many times that I have the process down pat, but I still need to double check my measurements - this is baking we're talking about after all.

There are four things that make these cookies as good as they are (besides the obvious chocolate chips & butter):

1. ground oats
2. cinnamon
3. lemon juice
4. the fridge/freezer

There is probably some kind of chemical reaction that happens - but I'm not going there because I'm not going to even pretend to know.  What I do know is that these cookies offer the perfect thickness & the right amount of yum to keep you making them over & over again.

Without further adieu, per Ms. Lindsey Barton's request, please click through to get the official recipe!