Friday, March 30, 2012

Back to the Kitchen - Chocolate Cranberry Chip Cookies

I like mixing and matching flavors and it is always surprising what ingredients actually work well together . . . if only someone would try. This is a chocolate/fruity cookie that appeals to grown ups as well as children. As usual, it is a mix and match one in that being creative with your own choices won't hurt the outcome one bit.

Chocolate Cranberry Chip Cookies
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
Dash of salt
1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened - not melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup of chocolate chips, melted (measure the chips and then melt them.)
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir together the dry ingredients and set aside for now. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, extract, and cinnamon, and beat to thoroughly incorporate. Add the melted chocolate chips and mix. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until well combined but don't over mix. Stir in by hand the white chips, walnuts, and cranberries.

Either vegetable oil spray the baking sheets or use parchment paper. Parchment paper works best for me. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about two inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing the baked cookies to a cooling rack.

For an extra-festive look, you can drizzle a glaze over the cookies.

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