2Bit of Yum: Mint Choco Chip Cookies

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mint Choco Chip Cookies

Two things- first, this recipe is SUPER easy. Second, does anyone else think that it sounds cool to shorten "chocolate" to "choco"? I know I can't be the only one because if I could choose to eat a piece of chocolate or a piece of choco, I would definitely choose a piece of choco.

Look at that beautiful green color!

I, 2Bit Joy, have been taking a little break from life in the 2bit town of Lexington. I am in Palo Alto, California, (right outside of San Francisco) spending time with someone who loves the mint chocolate (or choco, as some may say) combination, a certain Michael Jackson. I have never been too crazy about mint chocolate, but it's amazing how someone's tastes can influence your own. Just a few examples of how my tastes have been influenced- I have been drinking an exponentially large amount of soft drinks (diet for me, regular for him); I have had cravings for buffalo flavored things, which I NEVER cared for before; and now I can add mint chocolate flavored things to the list. (I draw the line here. I will not eat donettes or other crappy hostess baked goodies nor will I eat summer sausage. And don't get me started on drinking juice cocktail. Sick. No offense to those of you who enjoy these disgusting things. Whoops.)

Inspiration

Michael and I, quite impressively, went through a pack of mint Oreos in two days while we were camping at Yosemite. Michael loves him some minty choco cookies; so I wanted to make him some cookies that didn't come out of a Nabisco package but that were also simple since I don't have any cooking ingredients with me. These cookies are super simple and pack a wonderfully balanced minty chocolate punch. And since they are minty, you can eat one before bed as a replacement for brushing your teeth!! JK Bits, don't do that! You will no doubt get cavities!

You can see the white chunks from the candy cups.

This recipe uses a package cookie mix; so if you have mint extract and you happen to have mint chocolate chips or andes candies or any other mint chocolate candy on hand (I used mint chocolate candy cups), this is a super simple recipe that you can whip together in minutes.

Recipe:
(adapted from Betty Crocker)

1 package Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
1 stick butter, softened (not melted)
1/2 tsp mint extract
6 to 8 drops green food coloring
1 egg
1 cup chopped up mint chocolate candy- andes or mint filled chocolate candy cups
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
(or 1 package of mint chocolate and dark chocolate chips if you are lucky enough to find one)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine cookie mix, butter, mint extract, and food coloring and egg until a dough forms. Add in minty candy bits and chocolate chips. Dropped by rounded spoonful / ice cream scoop on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheet, then move to wire rack to let fully cool.

Mmm mmm... Michael approved! And this means a lot since he takes his mint choco seriously.

No comments:

Natural Moisturizer Tip

Coconut oil is incredible for your skin. And it's even great to cook/bake with as well as healthier. It is usually about $10, but totally worth it. It's all natural and free of any chemicals or alcohol that are present in most lotions and skin moisturizers. You can get it at the health food store or sometimes in the healthy section of Kroger. Make sure it's unrefined. It will melt at room temperature. If it's cool in your house it will be solid, so just hold a chunk of it in your hands and it will quickly melt. Then slather over your whole body. It's amazing.

De-Sasquashing Tip of the Day

Let's all be honest. As women, we gots to deal with facial hair growing above the lip. Men, don't gag.. we can't help it.. take it up with God. Somehow He thought we would want to share that attribute with men. Well, we don't!!! So, what's 2Bit's tip to de-sasquash? It's called, Nad's! In the past, naive 2Bit giggled at the silly info-mercials of Nad's, certain she would never need such a thing. Well, joke's on 2Bit. 2Bit has used quite a few products, and this is the most gentle (meaning it does not rip your skin off, leaving a scab mustache); and it's pretty powerful. Gentle and powerful, working together as one!! That's all 2Bit wants in life! Get Nad's strips at Target for 4 dolla!!

Baking Powder Substitute.

All you bakers out there know that many recipes call for baking powder. I've been unable to find the "aluminum free" baking powder at Kroger. Why, "aluminum free" you say?? Besides the fact that "aluminum free" is less bitter than the baking powder with aluminum, my parents learned in nutrition classes at the Cancer Treatment Center of America that you should always try to avoid cooking with any aluminum. I know you can get it at the health food store, and when I find it at the normal grocery, I will let you know.

Until then, here is the Baking Powder Substitute.

For each 1 tsp baking powder called for in a recipe, use:

1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 c buttermik, sour cream or yogurt (to replace 1/2 c liquid called for in recipe).

Pop Your Corn

Did you know a much healthier, less fattening and overall more delicIous way to make popcorn is right at your very fingertips? All you need is a pot or dutch oven, water or oil and popcorn kernels. 1. Add 2-3 tbsp of olive oil to your pot or water even works! 2. Turn your burner on high heat until your pot is hot. 3. Pour your kernels in to where it's an even layer on the bottom of your pan. 4. Cover and let em start to pop. 5. Shake pot up as much as necessary so that the kernels don't stick and burn. 6. Lower temp to med-low 7. Devour the delicious popcorn

2Bit of Yum

Pages

Two Bit, you say?

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mint Choco Chip Cookies

No comments:

Post a Comment