Chocolate Brownie Cookies... # 1 in a series of desserts.

Chocolate Brownie Cookies... This past week or so, I've been baking up a storm. More baking than I normally do. About this time every year, I bake quite a few desserts for the yearly youth group gathering at our church. Lots of kids show up... around 75 or so... and lots of desserts are appreciated:). While I normally won't bake with so much butter and sugar, I make an exception.... once or twice a year:).

I usually like to bake something different for the kids every year... just to vary things up a bit. So usually a week or so before I bake, I look through my bookmarked page for things I might have seen throughout the year... and decide on a few desserts. I'll make sure the desserts I bake can be eaten without the use of a fork or spoon. This time around, I made plenty of cookies... and a few other desserts.. but I don't think I've ever baked so many cookies in a week's time. The whole house smelled like butter and sugar:)!

The thought to share the recipes here on the blog crossed my mind and I thought it would be a neat idea if I would post them. I could keep the recipes as a reference for myself... for those times I need to bake more cookies:). But maybe some of you might want to try one or two of the recipes I'll share. The recipes are nothing new, cookies that have been made before by most of us. But they could come in handy for those days when you need a quick dessert... for potlucks, gatherings, cookie exchanges, etc. At the same time, you get a glimpse of what I baked:). Most of the recipes won't have the usual step-by-step photos, one or two might. Initially I wasn't planning on taking any photos... or even posting the recipes.

In any case, over the next few days, I'll put a hold on the other recipes I had planned on posting...and post the desserts I made recently. Just a warning, it will be a butter/sugar overload:). Here is #1 in a series of desserts. Hope you enjoy...

Tip: Feel free to add some other flavoring to make them different...grated orange zest is a good one.

You will need: adapted from Pure and Yummy and originally from Southern Living Incredible Cookies.

½ cup butter

4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped*

3 cups (18 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

4 large eggs

1 ½ cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

* I substituted 3 TBS dark cocoa+1 TBS oil for each ounce of unsweetened chocolate.

Directions:

1. In a large heavy saucepan, add butter, unsweetened chocolate (or equivalent substitution using cocoa), and 1 ½ cups chocolate chips.

2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter and chocolate melt... let cool.

3. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

4. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture, beating well.

5. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and beat well. Stir in remaining 1 ½ cups chocolate chips.

6. Scoop dough( about a heaping TBS or use a 1 1/2 TBS cookie scooper) onto baking sheets. Leave a space of about 1 inch between each cookie. The dough won't be like a cookie dough...more like a batter.

7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. The middle should be somewhat soft...

8. Cool slightly on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely.