chocolate chip

Another week, another boozy cookie…

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

I’m not sure how I’ve gotten into the alcoholic cookie phase of baking but here we are yet again. I wanted to make these Tennesse Whiskey and Chocolate Chip cookies but we only had fancy whiskey in our liquor cabinet… and well, I didn’t want to risk the wrath of The Runner by using one of his good bottles or Scotch or Whiskey or whatever in a batch of cookies.

Any of you want to be in a cookie???

So I’ll save the Tennesee Whiskey cookies for next week- I’ll have to buy a tiny airplane sized bottle of Jack Daniel’s and hope that no one sees me. Not that there’s shame in drinking Jack Daniel’s but I do wonder who buys those tiny little bottles- and why? Anyway, that’s next week’s problem.

Next week’s other problem, what kind of cookies will I make for MY VERY OWN BIRTHDAY???? There are so many yummy ones I’ve made that I legitimately can’t choose! Maybe the Mexican Hot Chocolate ones?? Maybe the Van Stapele ones that kicked off this whole cookie madness??? Who knows!

This week, I made Kahlua Tia Maria Chocolate Chip Cookies. We didn’t have Kahlua so I improvised and they’re not so bad. I mean, last week’s Malibu Oatmeal Cookies were some of the best I’ve ever made. The Bailey’s Chocolate Chip ones were pretty good too…I think I’m onto something with my boozy cookie phase… I just need some more ideas for recipes!!!

The BEST ones yet.

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

I’m not bragging but each week I’m getting better and better at this cookie thing. And to be honest, some of it comes from just following directions and recipes. If it says use softened butter, then don’t be lazy or impatient. Soften the butter! Seriously, when you decide that you might bake, take the butter out of the fridge, weigh it, and then do EVERYTHING else on your to-do list. All the things you hate doing- laundry folding, unpacking the dishwasher, vacuuming- now’s the time. Hard butter is no one’s friend when it comes to cookie making. Although I’ve never been a stickler for the rules, sometimes it’s a good idea to listen to others’ advice and experiences.

Anyhoo, this week I made two cookies- both from Smitten Kitchen. Her Browniest Cookie aka a Brookie aka a cookie and brownie combo. They were good but after the spicy fun of the Mexican Icebox cookies, they were only ok. I added cinnamon but it wasn’t enough. I’m addicted to dark chocolate and chili, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

The other cookies I made this week- Thick Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (with chocolate chips added!). And they were AMAZING. I feel like I say this every week, but these could be THE BEST ONES YET. So good. And I don’t even like Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. But these are so good. Honestly, it’s the hint of chocolate that makes them. Oatmeal sounds healthy but the chocolate is a bit naughty– and they both work so well together!

And now, I have a problem. I don’t know how I’m going to top them this week. I need to come up with cookies for this week that will be better.

I’m stumped but ready for the challenge!

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

Or at least that’s the theme for cookies this week.  This week I’m attempting to recreate Van Stapele’s infamous white chocolate stuffed chocolate cookies and Canva’s famous (at least at Canva) Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Canva’s cookies are baked by the Hungry Squirrel but I”m trying Smitten Kitchen’s recipe for Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies.  

Van Stapele’s cookies are what kicked off the cookie baking the last few weeks.  They’re an Amsterdam based Cookie Bakery or Koekmakarij and they make one cookie. One type of cookie. Chocolate stuffed with white chocolate. And they’re amazing. This bakery sells 2000 cookies a day. 2000! And they’re famous, like writing a case study about them famous.

I mean, I’m considering a trip to Amsterdam just to try them fresh and warm from the source.  I’m mildly obsessed by them.  I think it has something to do with the chocolate they use– or maybe there’s a secret spice. I’m not sure but I’m working on them. I don’t think I’ve nailed them yet, but this week’s cookies were pretty good.

In fact, both sets of cookies this week were well liked. I mean, most people who have eaten them haven’t tried the originals, so it’s hard to know. Canva’s cookies are/were honestly legendary.  Delicious.  Chocolatey.  Salty.  Yum.  Universally liked and coveted.  Smitten Kitchen’s cookies are good- maybe not quite Canva cookie level yet.  But I’m working on it!