Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cornstarch


I adore chocolate chip cookies, so when I saw the recipe for Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cornstarch I knew I had to give them a try .

I have made countless batches always searching for the next best recipe.  I am sure I will try other recipes on occasion, however this is hands down a new classic for me.  I got this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction website.  Click here to see her recipe as well as her absolutely stunning pictures.  

There are several differences in this recipe compared to others I have tried – the three being that you use melted butter instead of softened (which means NO mixer needed!!!!), one egg and a yolk as opposed to two eggs that most recipes call for and 1 1/2 tsp. of cornstarch.  I was a bit skeptical at first, however these have come out heavenly again and again.   The recipe calls for 1 cup of chocolate chips.  I like to mix this up with part dark chocolate, part milk chocolate and part cacao nibs (to sneak in a little added health benefits.)

These cookies are chewy, soft and incredibly delicious.  They remind me of a Mrs. Fields cookie, but without the $2 price tag.  I hope you try these out and let me know what you think.  

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES (uses cornstarch) – adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction
INGREDIENTS
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup  light brown sugar, loosely packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, cacao nibs and/or some M&M’s

DIRECTIONS
Toss together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.  

In a medium size bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Whisk in the egg, then the egg yolk. Finally, whisk in the vanilla. 

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a large spoon or rubber spatula. The dough will be very soft. Fold in the chocolate chips. They may not stick to the dough because of the melted butter, but do your best to have them evenly dispersed among the dough. Cover the dough and chill for 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory.

Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to slightly soften at room temperature for 10 minutes.Preheat the oven to 325F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.Roll the dough into balls, about 1-2 tablespoons each. Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and underbaked. They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Gaga for Goji Berries & Their Many Health Benefits

I have gone completely gaga for goji berries & their many health benefits!  These dried gems are my new  favorite snack to munch on and to include in my favorite recipes.  From granola, yogurt and salads, these versatile berries offer a plethora of health benefits in a tiny, delicious bite.

So, what makes goji berries so great?  Not only are they loaded with anti-oxidants, these little treats have helped me feel more calm, energetic and find myself sleeping better.  After turning 40 I have tried to  incorporate superfoods in my diet more and more and goji berries are one of those superfoods.

I purchase my goji berries dried from the bulk food section at Whole Foods.  I find that they are the most cost effective way to purchase them, although in a pinch you can also find them on Amazon.

I can’ wait to share an absolutely delicious, healthy fudge recipe that incorporates goji berries as well as a few other superfoods.  Stay tuned…

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Orange Scented White Chocolate Toffee

I have been cooking a ton lately, but everything has been so healthy I was craving something that was decadent and blog worthy. Even though I have been trying to cook healthier I can not and will not ever give up sugary, decadent delights such as this Orange Scented White Chocolate Toffee.

The base is the same that I use for my original toffee which is butter, sugar, almonds and vanilla, however in this case I use orange extract in place of the vanilla extract.  The orange extract I use is Nielsen-Massey’s Orange Extract, which you can find on Amazon here.  I find this extract lends the toffee a mild orange flavor without tasting artificial.

There are still many delicious healthy recipes to be posted, but as with everything in life there needs to be some balance and this Orange Scented White Chocolate Toffee brings balance into my life – well this and Proseco. 🙂

Triple Decker Rice Krispy Treat Cereal Recipe

The 4th of July is coming up and I am trying to be especially festive so I came up with this version for a red, white and blue dessert with these Triple Decker Rice Krispy Treats.

The recipe is simple.  Butter, marshmallows, rice krispy cereal and food coloring.   Just make a batch for each color and voila – you will have a yummy and festive treat!

I hope you try these and have a fun, happy and safe 4th of July!

Triple Decker Rice Krispy Treat Recipe
Ingredients
60 large marshmallows (this was about 1 1/2 packages for me)
9 cups Rice Krispy cereal
4 1/2 T. butter
red food coloring
blue food coloring

Directions
1. Line an 8×8 square with parchment paper and spray lightly with non-stick spray.

2. In a medium saucepan melt 1 1/2 T. butter over low heat. Add 20 marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and add red food coloring until you get the desired red.  

3. Add cereal and stir until well coated.

4. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into the pan. Cool. 

5. Repeat steps 2-4 once without food coloring for the white layer and then again with blue food coloring.
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Benefits of Maca Powder

I have read about the many, many benefits of Maca Powder and wanted to come up with some tasty and delicious ways to work this magical ingredient into my day.

I was perusing Pinterest one day and wanted to know how to incorporate this item into my daily life and came across this article from the Paleo Mama highlighting 14 Benefits of Maca Powder.  They are numerous so before I share a couple of my favorite ways to incorporate Maca, here are the reasons why you should pick up some Maca for yourself.

  1. Increases Energy – Maca has a reputation for boosting energy levels without stressing the adrenals (like coffee can)
  2. Increases Libido and Sexual Function – Maca is a known aphrodisiac among native Peruvian culture. It has been known to increase the libido among men and women!
  3. Improves Fertility – Black Maca has been known to increase sperm count and volume in men and Red Maca has been known to balance female hormones and ovulation cycles.
  4. Regulates Hormone Balance – Maca has a vast variety of amino acids, which are known as the building blocks of hormones.
  5. Reduces Depression – When you take Maca regularly, Maca can work to increase positive emotional moods. Maca has a very unique nutrient called macamides, which aid in decreasing depression and anxiety.
  6. Reduces Anxiety – Maca has a positive effect on your individual mood and can help to reduce any self-perceived anxiety.
  7. Helps with Menopause – Many Maca uses report a significant decrease in hot flashes after using Maca powder.
  8. Enhances Mental Clarity – Black Maca has been shown to have a beneficial effect on learning and memory. Maca is safe for both children and adults!
  9. Improves Blood Circulation – a very interesting property of Maca, is that it has been seen to improve blood circulation.
  10. Improves Acne – When acne is related to hormone imbalance, taking Maca can be very productive for improving hormonal acne.
  11. Improves Muscle Gain – More and more athletes and bodybuilders are using Maca powder to increase their athletic performance.
  12. Improves Thyroid Function – Due to the hormone balancing properties in Maca, it has been known to stimulate thyroid function.
  13. Improves Strong Teeth and Bones – Black Maca is great for increasing bone density and strength.
  14. Improves Skin Tone – Maca has a strong nutrient content and hormone balancing effect on our skin.
  15. Improves Hair Growth – Maca has been traditionally used to stimulate hair growth, as well as prevent hair loss.

I don’t know about you, but ever since reading this I have been trying to incorporate Maca into my everyday life.  Here are a couple of my favorite recipes using Maca.  The first is for a Maca Iced Coffee.  This drink is super simple to make and a very refreshing way to enjoy some iced coffee.  The second recipe is for Maca Oatmeal Cookies.  These are a yummy snack and I often enjoy these as a delicious breakfast cookie.  Feel free to add dried fruits or nuts, anything that suits you!

I hope you enjoy try these recipes and incorporate this healthy powder into your everyday life.