Cookies Make Everything Better

Wow, guys. I can’t say I ever expected to be in a situation or circumstance like this in my lifetime. It feels like the plot line of a summer blockbuster disaster film…but this is real life. And it’s scary! When I’m scared, or anxious, or feeling overwhelmed, I often turn to baking. Baking is methodical, it’s precise, it’s controlled…and it’s cathartic. So when I need to unwind, disengage or think of something other than what is going on in our reality – I escape to the kitchen.

I’ve been trying to make things that feel both familiar, but also that are fun and happy. To me…that’s a great cookie! So, I took the normal Toll-house® chocolate chip recipe and I started adding fun things to make the cookies a little special! I found some ideas on Tasty – and adapted them based on what I had in my own kitchen.

Here are some ideas:

• Freeze tablespoon size dollops of Nutella or peanut butter on wax paper. Once frozen, take a frozen piece of the Nutella/PB and wrap your cookie dough around it! Makes for a delicious surprise on the inside!
• Roll your cookie dough in sprinkles for a celebration cookie!
• Add things like, crushed potato chips, pretzels, crushed Oreos, caramel pieces or mini marshmallows to create fun textures and flavors
• My favorite combos: oreos & marshmallows with Nutella center // pretzels, chips, caramel with PB center // chips and pretzels with caramel center (for a caramel center, just wrap the cookie dough around a soft caramel chewie candy)

Hope you are all staying in, staying safe, and finding ways to stay sane. #staystrong