Before blogging, I was a novice cook. Well, I still kind of am 😉
I was afraid to deviate even the tiniest amount from a recipe and anything that required ‘fancy’ equipment like a mixer or a processor, I shied away from.
But now, I’m beginning to be a bit more adventurous!
Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans and Flax
I basically followed the recipe off the back of the Hershey’s dark chocolate chip back, but made a few changes for fun and added health benefit.
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1.5 cups all purpose, 1/2 c whole wheat)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (I chose to use Nannie’s pecans)
- 2 Tbsp ground flax seed
I realized after chopping my nuts, that I had forgotten to take the butter out of the fridge. But no worries, I enlisted the help of my favorite butter-softening trick.
Two sticks of butter, pounded with a tenderizer and rolled with the roller. Wah-lah! Softened butt’ah.
In a bowl I mixed up the flours, baking soda, salt and flax seed.
Then grabbed my beautiful KitchenAid Mixer.
Oops! Egg-cidents happen.
In the mixer I beat together the butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Once mixed, I added the eggs.
Beat until creamy, then continue to beat while you slowly add the flour mixture.
Remove from the mixer and add in your chips ‘n ‘c(ah)ns.
Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
They look delicious, no?
They were! So darn good!
And though I wouldn’t call them ‘health’ food, the dark chocolate, nuts, flax and addition of whole wheat flour add in some redeeming qualities.
My favorite part about baking cookies? Freezing most of the dough!
It matches my countertops 🙂
I use saran wrap to roll long logs of the dough and stick in the freezer. When We have company, I’ll slice up part of the frozen log and bake for ‘fresh-from-the-oven’ cookies.
Or, if Hubbs and I want an after-dinner snack, I’ll slice off two to bake. We have a delicious, fresh cookie in 10 minutes without worrying about eating a whole jar full… which I totally could with these cookies.
How do you prefer your cookies? Warm and gooey from the oven? Room temperature? Or, like my mom, frozen?
I like ‘em warm and gooey!!
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PS- Check back tomorrow for a surprise!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Warm and gooey! However, I’m a bigger fan of brownies (by far)…and I love them warm and gooey, cold and fudgy, AND frozen…or covered in ice cream…or, well, any which way. 🙂
Graze With Me says
I really like your red KitchenAid. We registered for one (along with everyone else) but never got it. Great idea for the dough, I always make the whole batch and eat them like crazy for a few days.
I love how you took a photo of the smashed egg. Only a blogger…..I remember one time I had a HUGE watermelon topple off my counter-top and explode on the floor. I was wailing in disappointment yet also rushing to quickly grab my camera. 🙂
blackhuff says
Those cookies look good 🙂
Freezing the dough – something I’ve not thought about doing now that I am living healthy. I stopped baking altogether because of the fact that backing = sugary stuff but this is such a good idea. I can freeze the leftover dough for a later use. Cool!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
Warm and gooey! Such a good idea to freeze the dough!
Roz says
I’m a warm and gooey girl for sure. (that sounded bad!! 🙂 ) I know I said this a few days ago, but I’ll say it again, LOVE the new layout!!!
Rachel @ Rachel's Recipe says
Oh my gosh. I do the same exact thing with cookie dough! Then you get a fresh cookie any time you want it! Plus then I’m not tempted to eat a whole batch! I’m dying to buy a KitchenAid, but we don’t have the counter space for it right now 🙁
Kristin says
Love ’em frozen!
Never thought about freezing the dough, though – great idea! Do you need to thaw them or adjust the cooking time at all?
Brittany says
I don’t adjust the cooking time, but I usually watch the closer. I put them straight from freezer to oven.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Warm & Gooey all the way!
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
warm n gooey!!! but I def could be really bad and just eat the dough! 😉
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous. says
Those look soooo good! Poor little egg though hehe
Sarah for Real says
That’s a great idea to freeze the dough! I will usually freeze the actual cookies (or take most of them to share at work) but I’m like you and prefer them hot and gooey.
Did you reduce the amount of butter with the addition of flax?
Brittany says
I actually thought about that, using a flax egg, (impressive, right?) but I didn’t. If you try it, let me know!
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
Warm cookies are the best!!
Donna@Love,Run&Travel says
I totally freeze batter as well, otherwise i’ll just eat it ALL!
Okay, you totally made me laugh and have a kindred moment when you pointed out the batter matched your countertop, thats sooo something i would notice 🙂
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
Freezing the dough like that is such a good idea – next time I need to remember that!! No need to make 3 dozen cookies at once..I’d rather have 3 batches of a dozen more spread out. I enjoy cookies warm and frozen…depends on my mood I guess!
Rachel says
Freezing the dough is a genius move.. something that now I feel really stupid for not thinking of before 🙂 I will definitely make more cookies now that I realize this!
Tina says
What a GREAT idea on freezing the dough like that to slice off just a cookie or two or to save for impromptu cookie needs. Also love the softening butter trick.
Shawnee says
Freezing the dough is a great idea. I wonder if I could freeze the dough for some of the gf cookie recipes?
Karlee @olivewineandfood says
great idea to freeze the dough, i always end up eating alllllllll the cookies. i’m a cookie monster!
Natalia - a side of simple says
Just the thought of chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer has me adding chocolate chips to my grocery list right now 🙂
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
Hookay so i breezed over the ingredient list too fast the first time b/c i totally thought I could make these tonight to cure my cabin fever from the storm! buuut I have no eggs! boo! I’ll totally be back when I have eggs and a cookie craving! =) they look awesome!
Melissa says
Yummy! I def like warm fresh from the oven chewy and gooey. 🙂 Fab idea to freeze the dough rather than be stuck with a boatload of cookies.
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE chocolate chip cookies!! I love them soft and ooey gooey….with a big glass of milk of course! Yours look delicious btw!
Pure2raw Twins says
so glad that you becoming more adventurous in your baking and cooking! CHocolate chip cookies are my all time favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love them in so many different ways but love them undercooked right out of the oven 😉
Sara does Insanity says
Man, they look YUM. Bad time for me to be a on diet.
Baking Serendipity says
This might be the healthiest chocolate chip cookie I’ve seen 🙂 It’s definitely welcome in my house! I love your idea of freezing cookies and making just one or two at a time. We always end up with a big tupperware container of cookies I feel guilty not eating 🙂
Pavithra says
Hi Brittany,
Can we make this without eggs – with a chia or flax egg may be ? How will thaT change the recipe? I really want to make chocolate chip cookies. But I don’t eat eggs. Also can we use regular chocolate chips ? How will that affect the recipe? Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
Regular chocolate chips would be just fine. I would think flax eggs would be a a fine substitute, but then try eliminating to other flax in the recipe. I have not made them like this, but I do think it would work out. If you try it, please let me know. Thanks!
Pavithra says
Sure. Thanks!