Sunday, April 3, 2011

Pictures of Sunsets

My husband and I went on a "double date" with our neighbor Mel and his friend Anne (both 85 years old) today. They took us out to eat as a thank you for all the help and baked goods. We had a lovely lunch and learned a lot about the history of where we live now.
It made me start thinking about all the time I used to spend with my grandparents. They would take me everywhere, I'd fall asleep on the back seat and awaken to a new restaurant. I miss those days and all the good times we had. My grandfather would bring his camera everywhere, taking pictures of everything and everyone. He would even go so far as to stop the car and take pictures of the sunset. I don't stop and take pictures of sunsets but every time I see one it reminds me of him

Pillow Cookies (Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brownies inside!)
adapted from bakerella.com
Oven 350

1 package brownie mix
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 oz. bag miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips




Make brownies according to package and let cool. Cut about 24 half inch squares. Enjoy the remaining brownies.





For the chocolate chip cookie dough, beat butter with a mixer until creamy.
Add brown sugar and beat until smooth. Add eggs, yolk and vanilla. Beat until smooth.







Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt in a medium bowl and stir together with a wire whisk.
Add flour to butter mixture and beat until combined.




















Stir in mini chips.Let dough chill covered in the refrigerator for at least an hour.







Use a large cookie scoop (2 in diameter), scoop batter and place it on sprayed cookie sheet. Work quickly so the dough remains chilled or either prepare one cookie at a time so the rest of the dough remains cold.










After the dough is on the cookie sheet, make an indention and place a half inch square brownie in the center. Press the brownie down gently and work the remaining dough around the brownie. You can use your hands to shape the dough into a ball. If your dough gets too soft, you can chill the rolled dough balls for a few minutes right before baking.

Prepare six cookies at a time using a large baking sheet (15 X 20) and bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes. Return the remaining dough to the refrigerator until time to bake the second batch.



Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack.

Makes about 24 cookies.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

By far some of the best cookies you have ever made! And not just because I like brownies and REALLY LIKE chocolate chip cookies. I was told that someone here at work was "moaning" at his desk while he ate one. Now this person denies the moaning but does admit that he was making some good noises that may have been mistaken for moaning. :) Either way they were delicious and went very quickly here at work.
Thank you hun-