Who Wants a Cookie? Chocolate Melt & Toffee Bit Cookies

My husband is a routine kinda guy and apparently his new routine involves finishing dinner and asking me when the cookies will be baked. "What cookies?" is usually how I respond, but last night I was feeling the sugar craze myself (not that his sugar cravings are any less important than mine, but I am the one baking them so I say when...I say whoooo...I say wheennn. Anyone? Anyone?).  As you guys know, baking does not come naturally to me, but my friends might say that the one sugary treat I am confident in making is a delicious batch of toffee cookies.  The recipe used to be on the back of the Heath Bar Toffee Bit Pieces bag and it makes the most indulgent, chewy, buttery-goodness bites you've have ever had.  Last night called for chocolate though so the recipe got a few modifications and shake ups and the outcome was nothing short of a cookie masterpiece.

Here's what I put together:

2 sticks butter
2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar
1.5 tsp pure vanilla
3 eggs
3 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
1 bag toffee chips
1/4 - 1/2 cup shaved semi-sweet baking chocolate

Preheat the oven to 350°.  In your favorite stand mixer, blend the 2 sticks, room temp butter (I used salted butter for this recipe which I think is ok because these are toffee and chocolate AND I am not sure how much I buy into the salted vs. unsalted baking controversy).  If you are taking straight from the fridge, pop the butter into the microwave for 10 seconds to loosen it up.  Put the mixer on low and add in sugars, vanilla and eggs one at a time.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add in the sifted ingredients. Hopefully your kitchen won't end up looking like the North Pole as mine did, but baking is meant to be messy, right? Once the ingredients are incorporated fold in the chips and as much chocolate as you like. 

Drop mounds on a non-stick or airbake sheet and bake for 8-11 minutes or until a beautiful golden color and should make about 3-4 dozen cookies.  They'll deflate a little at the very end and definitely when you bring them out to cool.  Served up warm with milk, you will be in heaven. I also thought about sandwiching two together with a marshmallow center...maybe I'll try that tonight...

I also froze the dough I didn't bake last night so I will be sure to post if those are just as tasty as the fresh.  What's your favorite cookie recipe? 

Clean Out Cabinets Bean Dip

Staring down a lazy Sunday and one actually in town, I did what I always do...tackle a kitchen clean out and pantry reorganization job.  After I quick trip to the grocery store this morning, I found that I was running out of room in the pantry...not a problem I often run into but it happened today. So, out with the old and in with the new.  I had cans upon cans of beans that needed to see the light of day so a quick fix was in order.  I love Southern Caviar, (Paula Deen is the southern cooking queen!) so here's today's variation on the tailgate favorite based on what I had to use:
1 can black beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can northern beans
1 small can Rotel with green chilis
1 medium yellow onion
1 pint sunburst tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic
10 leaves fresh basil
1 bottle of Trader Joe's Tuscan Italian Dressing
Salt and Pepper

Dice the onions and garlic, half or quarter the tomatoes and roll the basil leaves together for a chiffonade.  Drain all the beans and rinse.  All goes into one bowl, toss with the dressing and salt and pepper to taste.  I love this dip or bean salad or whatever you want to call it because it is so versatile.  Today, I enjoyed it with soy and flax seed tortilla chips but I think it's great over romaine lettuce with grilled chicken or even served bruschetta style over grilled garlic bread.  It's a great way to empty the cabinets and enjoy a protein packed snack!

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Clean Out the Cabinets Bean Dip