Wholesome and Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies-Guest Post at Golden Barrel

I know.

Those cookies.

You can hardly even read this right now, can you? All you can think about is how to make these cookies enter your life. And do not fret-we'll get to that! First, I have to share some news with you!

I'm going to, on an occasional basis, be sharing recipes over on Golden Barrel's blog (Golden Barrel is a company, based out of Lancaster, PA, that creates baking products such as mixes, molasses, coconut oil, sugars, etc.--I talked a bit about them when I posted these delicious cookies back in January.)

These cookies are the first of those recipes!

Golden Barrel makes such an amazing variety of products that I knew I wanted to use a few of them in a recipe: so I used their raw sugar and molasses (to form a sort of extra delicious, un-refined, dark brown sugar) as well as their coconut oil (which completely replaces the butter, making these cookies dairy free and a bit healthier!) And these cookies could not have turned out better!

Even though they're made with coconut oil instead of butter-you do NOT taste the coconut at all and the texture is still so perfectly gooey and chewy and wonderful! The flavor is insane-they taste super high quality and they're the tastiest cookies I've made in a long time. Seriously...I could gush about how tasty they are for a LONG time, but why don't you just go check out the post and read about it there? And, while you're at it, get the recipe so you can make them for yourselves and see HOW GOOD they are!

Greek Yogurt Chocolate Chip Cookies

When you just want a classic chocolate chip cookie but you also don't want to a FULL ON unhealthy one because it's the day of one of your final wedding dress fittings and you reeeeally don't want your alterations woman to poke your fat again.

That's the time for these cookies.

FYI-I got validation that I have lost weight at my fitting so...good news!

And these cookies-while not as overtly healthy as some others I've been posting (like the chickpea deep dish ones!) are still pretty decent. They have no butter-the fat comes from coconut oil and greek yogurt, and those are pretty darn healthy sources. And there's whole wheat flour! So, not healthy. But not horribly unhealthy either. And they are taaaasty.

I will warn you: these are best warm. Which...is generally true of cookies but when my brother tried a cooled cookie he said it tasted kind of funny. Whereas I always eat them warmed up and they just taste like a good old fashioned delicious CCC to me. So, really, why aren't you eating your cookies warm anyway? What are you-a Michael? (Seriously...that boy. He's a silly silly head.)

Healthy Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies {Gluten-free, Vegan}

I wanted to believe in the whole "chickpeas can totally taste like chocolate chip cookies" thing. I did.

But there was a part of me that just...couldn't really trust it.

Until I made these. And now I am a TRUE believer! BECAUSE OMG YOU GUYS IT'S TRUE! IT'S REALLY REALLY TRUE! Not like when people say cauliflour can taste like potatoes (it does not) or that green beans can taste like french fries (NEVER!)--no....hear me when I tell you that these cookies that have no flour, no butter, no eggs, and a whole can of chickpeas....they taste like ooey, gooey, decadent, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!

My life begins today.

First of all, a logistical note: you can double this recipe and make it in a pie dish (the baking time would just be a bit longer). However, I love single serving little deep dish cookies in ramekins. So that's what I decided to do. And these are probably the easiest cookies ever. You just throw the ingredients into a food processor and process everything together. Sort of like cookie dough hummus :P And you mix in chocolate chips (because we need those...for life.) and bake these little treats up! And they just taste like a warm, soft, gooey deep dish chocolate chip cookie. No one will ever guess that they're healthy!

Our little secret ;)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Oat Pie

Sooo...this recipe falls into the semi-healthy category. It's not like it has 2 sticks of butter plus 2 cups of sugar buuut it's not butter-less or sugar-less either. What I'm saying is-it's not too bad and it's so crazy delicious that it feels like a wonderful compromise between your tastebuds and your waistline. 

I have a bit of a culinary character flaw: I have the hardest time getting inspired for what to make for dinner but I always have a million ideas for desserts! I'm never ever ever tired of making new sweet treats but when I'm faced with what to make for an actual meal I'm like, "Uhhhhhhh I don't KNOOOOW!" It's a problem.

A tasty and sweet problem but still...a problem.

This pie tastes like a super chewy and gooey oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with just the right amount of sweetness, but....ya know...in pie form. The graham cracker crust gives it a little extra oomph and there's delish chocolate chips and yum yum yum sea salt on top! Michael took one bite and exclaimed "MMm! This is REALLY good!"--he particularly loved the chewy texture. I'm right there with him.

You'll be right there with us when you try some!

Healthy Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

I need sweets in my life. NEED 'EM! So, I'm trying to make some healthier dessert recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth but keep me on the wedding diet bandwagon. This recipe is the new year's first endeavor.

First let me tell you a depressing tale: I made these cookies. I went to take them out of the oven. I slipped. Half the cookies slid onto the oven door. Kayle held back tears and salvaged the crumbled cookies (after safely putting the intact cookies out of harm's way). So....ya know...try not to be clumsy like me. 

Seriously. I am SO clumsy. Like, growing up, I used to routinely run into the walls of my house (which I'd lived in my entire life). My mom used to joke about it and I'd tell her "the walls move!", but it was so commonplace that I had to holler everytime I'd bump into something or trip, etc., "I'M OK!" to reassure my mom. Because...yeah. It happened a lot. And nothing has changed. I routinely have bruises and random little cuts (and occasional big ones-still remember when I got stitches from trying to make a sandwich a little while back?). And, a couple months ago, I fell down the stairs. It was a dumb case of "oops, missed the step!" and then I landed on my toe and the stupid thing is STILL NOT HEALED. Like...it's not broken (I had it x-rayed) and I've been buddy-toe'ing it and just when it was seeming like it was about to get better, a couple weeks ago it got bad again. Out of nowhere. I didn't even hit it! So I'm frustrated about it. And my clumsiness. And none of this has anything to do with cookies except that they make me feel better. 

--and for the record, since writing that....it now isn't hurting anymore. I think I may have developed one of those things that hurts when the weather is bad....oh man...I'm old.

SO! Cookies!

There are a few things that make them healthier:

1. Oat flour (instead of all purpose flour)--oats are gluten-free (usually), contain fewer carbs than wheat flour and have more protein and fiber! Which is great-and it's super easy to make. Just grind some oats until it has a flour consistency. TA DAAA!
2. Very minimal sugar (especially compared to regular cookies).
3. No butter-so these are dairy free and low-fat. Coconut oil is used as the healthier fat option for this recipe.
4. Dark chocolate chips for antioxidants! And...because it makes life worth living :)

The end result is a slightly nutty, definitely coconut-y, kind of oatmeal cookie textured, slightly crumbly, chewy, yummy cookie! And you can eat them for breakfast. Which I think we all agree is the dream.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes-Cupcake Day!

As you may be aware...I only have 2 cupcake recipes on this blog. Which is crazy, I know. It's just....cookies....ya know? BUT I am so excited that I got an excuse to make you guys another cupcake because today is CUPCAKE DAY! I mean...not officially...but myself and some other bloggers dubbed it such because we're all sharing cupcake recipes. You get the idea. It's a good thing.

And look....I'm gonna tell you straight up....I registered for some piping tips and pastry bags. Because...I mean...look at that frosting. I apologize. These turned out way prettier in my head. Try your best to forgive me lack of decorating skills, mk? Thanks, guys. You're the best.

These cupcakes led to Michael's co-workers accusing me of witchcraft. This is due to my, apparently, delectable treats + the fact that the cookie dough inside the cupcake "magically" didn't bake. 

I'm not a witch (in spite of my Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Charmed loving young self's hopes and dreams). And I'm not even a magician who will protect my secret. Because it's not a secret-it's just a filling! You add the cookie dough into the cupcake after it's baked (I used the "cone" method that's detailed below as well as in this post---and, for the record, thus far those are the only cupcakes I've made that I've really been super into. But that makes sense because choc/pb cupakes are usually what I like best when I buy them, too.).

They are pretty tasty, though. There's a gorgeously fluffy brown sugar cake that you fill with the eggless cookie dough and top with-my favorite component-the chocolate chip cookie dough frosting. That frosting is the bomb dot com. Best part. Now...as previously stated....I'm not obsessed with cupcakes. I just wasn't head over heels for the cake itself (there's nothing wrong with it, this was just my own general "meh"-ness about non-chocolate cakes) and Michael is attempting to cut back slightly on the sweets (he'd like to not think he's fat in our wedding pictures-he's not fat for the record). And that is why these were sent to his work, I was accused of witchcraft, and they were devoured within 20 minutes of Michael getting there. I'm spoiling his co-workers and I'm okay with that.

Spoil your co-workers. Or friends. Or family. Or YOURSELF!

Now go check out the tons of other completely drool-worthy cupcake recipes we have for you!!

• Hot Cocoa Cupcakes by The Redhead Baker
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes by The Cooking Actress
• Vanilla Candy Cane Cupcakes by Noshing With The Nolands
• Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Nerds Cupcakes by Amy's Confectionery Adventures
• Vegan Midori Melon Cupcakes by NinjaBaker
• Chocolate Bourbon Cupcakes with Candied Butter Pecan Frosting by From Gate to Plate
• Dark Chocolate Rum Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream by Lemony Thyme
• Gingerbread cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting by Eva Bakes
• Cranberry Apple Cupcakes by The Pajama Chef
• Almond Joy Cupcakes by Our Eating Habits
• Buttered Rum Cupcakes by Adventures in All Things Food
• Maple Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Cone Head Cupcakes with Ice Cream Frosting by The Spiffy Cookie
• Candied Buddha's Hand-Eggnog Cupcakes by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Almond Joy Cupcakes by Food Lust People Love
• Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Nutella Frosting for 2 by Kate's Recipe Box
• Cranberry Cupcakes with White Chocolate Buttercream by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Peppermint Patty Cupcakes by Comfortably Domestic
• Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Biscoff Marshmallow Buttercream by Making Miracles
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Red Velvet Frosting by {i love} my disorganized life
• Lemon Cupcakes by Miss Information
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes by Kosher Kitchen
• Peppermint Cream Cookie Cupcakes by Take a Bite Out of Boca
• Cupcake Christmas Wreath by Lick the Spoon

Caramel Corn Chocolate Chip Cookies-Joanne's Virtual Bridal Shower!

EEEEEEEE!!! I am so so SO excited! Today is an extra special day: myself and a bunch of other bloggers are throwing Joanne (from Eats Well With Others) a SURPRISE virtual BRIDAL SHOWER!

YAY YAY YAYYYY!!!

You may remember Joanne from when she so sweetly guest posted over here whilst I was in the process of moving-she made some loverrrly, brunchalicious, savory waffles! I was lucky enough to meet her when I lived in NY and you cannot meet Joanne and not ADORE that lady! She's also a ridiculously brilliant MD/PhD student, super sweet and fun lady, talented photographer/cook/baker/blogger, and is going to be such a gorgeous and kick-butt bride! Since Joanne got engaged before me, I've been following her wedding planning prettyyyy closely (disclosure-I'm essentially wedding stalking her). And I can tell you that her wedding is going to be EPIC!

First of all--Joanne is having SUCH a food blogger wedding. She's planned her menu to a T (what I would give to eat what sort of amazingness will be served!). She's having pinterest-worthy white pumpkins (as centerpieces...methinks?).  She's getting her wedding cake from Baked (Aunt Sassy's Pistachio Cake, to be exact). Her shoes are fierce (this has nothing to do with being a food blogger....it's just worth mentioning.) She has some food bloggy friends as guests at this amazing affair aaaand A FOOD BLOGGER IS HER PHOTOGRAPHER! Like...amazing. I cannot wait to see how absolutely awesome this wedding is.

When I found out the theme for Joanne's bridal shower was "fall/autumn" (since...that's her wedding season...obviously. EEP IT'S COMING UP SOON! ARE YOU EXCITED/TERRIFIED YET JOANNE?? :P) I panicked a bit. Fall is so not my season and I wasn't sure what to make! But then I remembered that I love caramel corn-and I'd say that's fairly fall-ish. And cookies are perfect for bridal showers-they're easy to just grab and eat up and they're always a crowd pleaser! (If anyone would let me I would totally make cookies for my bridal shower(s)). So caramel corn chocolate chip cookies seemed to make sense. These are so great-they're a classic, ooey gooey, chocolate chip cookie with tasty bites of melty chocolate that coats the crunchy pieces of caramel corn as you bite into them. I think Joanne would approve, I know I did! And I bet you would too!

Check out all the autumn themed goodies from the rest of the food bloggers for Joanne's virtual bridal shower!:

Cocktails:

Pumpkin Spice White Russian - Nutmeg Nanny

Warm Apple Pie Cocktail - Miss In The Kitchen

Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail- Cook Like A Champion

Snacks/Savory:

Baked Brie with Honey and Sliced Almonds - The Lemon Bowl

Butternut Squash and Apple Galette - Warm Vanilla Sugar

Roasted Pumpkin Crostini - Annie's Eats

Kale Salad with Maple Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Dressing - Blahnik Baker

Lemony-Pasta Stuffed Zucchini - Very Culinary

Pumpkin Dip with Apple Chips- Meadows Cooks

Sweet:

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cake - The Baker Chick

Peanut Butter Fudge Pie with Salted Peanut Butter Caramel- Taste and Tell

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake - The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake - Chocolate and Carrots

Roasted Butternut Squash Pie with Brown Sugar Marshmallow Topping - Keep It Sweet

Caramel Corn Chocolate Chip Cookies - The Cooking Actress

Caramel Cranberry Apple Galette - Bakeaholic Mama

Coconut Pecan Tarts - Bake or Break

Cranberry Margarita Cupcakes - Baker by Nature

Gingerbread Truffles - Dinners Dishes and Desserts

Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

My new actress friends said these were the best cookies they'd ever had. Now...they're not the best cookies I'VE ever had, but I have a pretty high bar. Like...cookies are sorta my thing. They're my boo. My bae, if you will.

Speaking of bae...um...I'm officially at that age where I don't understand the slang the teens are using. It makes no sense. Like, apparently bae used to stand for "before anyone else" but now it's also an adjective? Like "that skirt is so bae!" "Tbh I think you're bae <3" etc. Kids today. *snort* that's not even the worst of it! Being around my teenaged cousins is just reeeeally driving home the fact that I am SO not that age anymore. And when I was we didn't have such a weird language. Like...I didn't even have texting yet.

But I digress.

I had a bunch of my beloved salted caramel sauce just aching to be used in another recipe and when I saw I had bookmarked (like..ages ago) a recipe for Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies I was like "Well...yeah. That's gonna happen."

And so I made some giant cookies with salted caramel mixed in. And they turned out sturdy yet gooey and full of salty and sweet goodness. They were great. An awesome chocolate chip cookie recipe.

BUT....I didn't taste the caramel. Which bummed me out. Perhaps the caramel added to the texture and gave them a bit of extra caramelized flavor but for some reason my brain had expected more caramel. But this was my brain's bad. Its expectations were unrealistic and these cookies are not to be faulted for such things!

Michael fully agreed that these cookies were awesome. He happily stated that they weren't falling apart the way, apparently, many of my cookies do (they do not). And they found their way into my adorable case worker's lunch for a few days. And they were MY lunch for a couple days too.

That's nutritious...yeah?

So, here's the moral of this cookie story:

These cookies are tasty.

They're yummy.

And nummy.

BUT...don't waste your beloved salted caramel sauce on them. Or perhaps just buy any old caramel sauce to throw in. All I know is I just wish I had more of my homemade sauce left....to just spoon into my mouth.

*sniffle* Cookie...you were great. I just wish my caramel hadn't had to perish for you to liiiive.*

overdramaaaatic

Eat yo'self some cookies, and don't mind the little drama queen that is moi.

Brown Butter Brown Sugar Toasted Almond Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt

Today is my Michael's birthday!! It's the day my favorite boy came into this world so that I could then be born 3 years later and then 19 years after that I could fall in love with him and then 4 years after that we could get engaged and less than a year from now we can get married <3 Happy birthday sweetie, I love you more than anything!

And he and I loved these cookies almost that much. Which is like...a lot.

I had something of an ulterior motive to making these cookies (as if I ever really need a reason to make cookies)--I was lucky enough to be sent some samples of Zulka's new sugars to try! You may remember that I've spoken about Zulka's Morena Sugar (my fave granulated sugar, btw) before. To sum up: Zulka is a family owned company that is dedicated to producing more natural sugar through responsible and environmentally friendly cane production. Their products are minimally processed, which helps preserve the flavor and natural properties of the sugar cane (which means it tastes better!)

And Zulka just came out with some new sugars, and I was able to try their Brown Pure Cane Sugar and Powdered Pure Cane Sugar!

Powdered sugar is great and all but....brown sugar is where it's at. It's my boo. My sugar BFF. So when I tested it out I wanted to make sure I chose a recipe that was really going to showcase it, as well as show me how it would behave in my favorite use for brown sugar: chocolate chip cookies. This recipe was perfect because not only is there a big dose of brown sugar in the cookie dough, the almonds are also toasted and caramelized in brown sugar-double whammy! 

And btw-the sugar was phenomenal. Subtly more rich and flavorful than more processed brown sugars, it really took these cookies to the next level!

Browned butter and brown pure cane sugar lend these cookies complexity and warm, delightfully comforting flavors. Brown sugar candied almond slivers add some smokiness and crunch. Dark chocolate is the bite that cuts the sweetness, and then the sea salt just ties everything together into a neat, delicious, cookie bow.

I LURVE THESE COOKIES.

As my fiance' and I were hunched over the cookie jar, shoveling fresh cookies into our mouths, Michael declared (around a mouthful of chocolate and almonds and cookies), "These are some of the best cookies you've ever made."

"Really?" I declared, probably causing bits of cookie goodness to escape and fly into his face, "EVER?!"

"They're up there," he confirmed, before reaching for another cookie.

You'd reach for another cookie too.

Healthy Flourless Nut Butter Cookies

Here's the breakdown--these cookies have no sugar (unless you sub in sugar), no flour, no dairy/no butter and a crazy short ingredient list. And they're soft. And delicious. And taste like your favorite nut butter. And there's a wonderful bite of dark chocolate (which I guess you could opt out if you want to be really healthy but...antioxidants?) and that lovely contrast from the salt.

Mmmmmm.

And they're paleo? I think? Um....I'm not gonna claim to know much about the paleo diet-from what I understand the deal is you only eat things a caveman would've been able to eat? I think these cookies fit that bill....sorta....I dunno....just go with it, mk?

The important thing here is how incredibly soft and delicious these cookies are!

They're full of nut-buttery flavor (since you use a full cup make sure you like the flavor of it because it is the predominant taste of these treats!) and then you can taste the honey (I'm pretty sure the maple syrup would be a bit more subtle? And obviously brown sugar would make it taste a bit more traditional cookie-like), but not in an overwhelming way, and THEN the bite of the dark chocolate cuts the little bit of sweetness and the sea salt on top is always our friend. Salt + cookies forevahhhhh.

And if you want proof that these cookies still taste good (even though they're healthyish): my 5 year old twin flower-girls-to-be tried one of these cookies and they proclaimed "You made these? Good job! They're really good." so there ya have it. 

Children don't lie about liking food.

Neither do I!

Trust me, trust Kate and Evie-you'll like 'em!

Browned Butter Mini Chip Cookies

It took like...a crazy amount of time after we moved before I made cookies. Michael even pulled out the old "You know what we haven't had in awhile? COOKIES!" and he.was.RIGHT! And so I decided to go classic and try one of my bjillion chocolate chip cookie recipes that I had saved. Cuz...I mean...you gotta try lots of different ones! They're all different! And these ones have browned butter, which is my bestie.

I also added salt to the tops of these cookies because my sweet and salty situation is like...out of control. It's necessary. I ate a cookie the other day and it didn't have salt and all I could think of how much better it would've been with salt on top. Silly people here are all like "What? Salt on a cookie?" and I'm like "ahhhh you guys have not lived yet! GET SOME!" 

Speaking of cookies, I was soooo excited to make some cookies this week for Michael's cousin's wedding (which is TOMORROW!) Making my food for people I know and love gives me such a happy feeling. It's almost as satisfying as the feeling I get when I eat the food I make. Mmmm.

(speaking of good food....can we talk about the fact that my autocorrect consistently corrects the word "food" to "good"...like...I know food is good....but food is in fact a word, Apple, and it does not need autocorrection! Especially because, let's face it, I talk about food a lot.)

Like right now: These cookies are classic. They're crisp and chewy and have that little extra oomph from the browned butter and salt. Are they my favorite CCC recipe? No. These are...or maybe these...or perhaps these...oh no...or maybe these...or these ?? TOO MANY!

But am I happy I made and proceeded to eat the everloving crap out of these cookies?

Yes. Yes I am.

and I made my brother break his diet to have one. So that was a victory too.

buahahaaaaa....

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mud Hen Bars

These mud hen bars are the FIRST thing I baked for the blog in my kitchen!

Isn't that crazy? I feel like it makes 'em super special.

You know what else makes these mud hen bars special? How much better the photos are when you compare them to the last mud hen bars I made (go ahead. Click the link. Take a look. Laugh at my atrocious pictures. Then come back here to continue reading and get the ooey gooey recipe.)

Now that we've all had a good laugh. Let's discuss THESE mud hen bars. They're not your typical MHB (got tired of typing out that whole, long, random name. Yeah, I've no clue where the name "mud hen bar" came from). Most MHB's have a sugar cookie base topped with choc chips and marshmallows and  a brown sugar meringue. And like...they're ok. But-I'm not in love with sugar cookies (notice how I have no recipes for them in the archives?) so it makes sense that it wouldn't really speak to me.

But these are CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MHB's and...um...I sort of loooove CCC's!

Ooooh these bars are crazy goooey and brown sugar-y wonderful! That meringue on top is all crackly and wonderful-mmmmm. Now, mine might have been a little extra gooey beeeecause....I underbaked 'em a bit. 

Oops.

It's cool though! A yummy gooey cookie bar is a win, regardless!

Hazelnut Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Hihiiii! *waves* I know, it feels like it's been forever since you and I just chatted, huh? Having guest posters has been amazing (and there are more to come) but it's nice to just share my own recipe, with my own photos, and my own words...on my blog :) I missed you guys!

Things are going pretty well here, we're settling in (although maybe not AS quickly as I would like but, it's ok.) And we have been more social than we've ever been. So many family functions, hang outs with friends, dinners with family....it is amazing and surreal! It's also been super fun to be able to actually share some of my treats with my loved ones! :)

Not these cookies though. Nope. The only person who ate these was me (and my former landlord). These were the last thing that I baked in my old kitchen and it was a great end to an era. These cookies were complex, salty & sweet, sturdy yet chewy...mmm yes. They were good. My landlord was impressed too!

I used to be a strictly "no nuts in my baked goods" kind of gal, but I've been converted (somewhat. Still no nuts in brownies.) And hazelnuts are sort of my favorite right now (or pecans?) so yeah. These cookies are a win. Annnnd....that's all I've got to say about that.

It was nice talking to you all again :D I've got lots more good stuff coming, promise!

Double Chocolate Cashew Cookies-Guest Post with Baker by Nature

AGHHHHH-haaaa! Hi all! I'm in the midst of the insanity that is this move. So-while I'm still unpacking my kitchen boxes and unable to get cookin' I'm having some of my best bloggy buds share some of their tastiest treats with you all! Aren't you lucky!!? I know! The first guest post is courtesy of Ashley from Baker by Nature. I was able to meet Ashley last month in NYC and I am so mad that it took us that long to meet up! We hit it off right away and realized HOW MUCH we have in common (like...to a freaky degree. Did you know our blogs are the same age? And we're both film/television actresses...and nannies....and bloggers. And we both moved to NY around the same time? And her boyfriend is a Philosophy professor and Michael's BA is in Philosophy?  And tons of other random commonalities!) I'm missing her a ton and hoping I can coerce her to visit me and see Cleveland ;)

In the meantime I'll just satisfy myself with our virtual friendship and drooling over her amazing creations! You guys have already been introduced to one of her brain childs (brain children?)-these cookies that I made and then adapted! Yeah. So. You see why I love her! Anyway, enough of my gushing, Ashley: over to you!

Greetings all! I'm Ashley from Baker by Nature, and I am beyond thrilled to be guest posting for Kayle today. I'm lucky enough to have met Kayle in real life, and she is just the sweetest little thing! I will miss her in NYC very much. Wah wah waaah.

...

I think we need something sweet!

Let's talk cookies :) I made these especially for you! They're soft in the center, chewy on the edges, and packed with goodies!!! These goodies include white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, and salty cashews. I am obsessed with adding salty ingredients to my sweets lately! Have you guys tried it?

I baked these up last week and they FLEW off the pan! I mean, we could hardly wait until they got out of the oven. They smelled soooo amazing baking up! Just have your milk chaser ready ;) xoxo

Toffee & Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten Free)

I made these cookies a couple weeks ago, during yet ANOTHER snowstorm. It was coming down, all gross, and I was fed. up! I seriously....this winter. I can't even handle it. Every time I think "maybe it's done." another snowstorm hits! It makes it SO difficult to get anything done in NYC (laundry when there's snow on the ground? Not happening.) So, I was feeling quite cranky. So, what could I do?

Make cookies. Obviously.

Cookies make every day better, in my opinion. And these TOTALLY did perk me up! Now, one thing to remember when whipping this delicious (one bowl) recipe up--they do need chilled. For at least 2 hours, or up to 5 days. Now, I knew snow was coming, so I made these the night before the storm, so the dough was good to go when I awoke the next morning to just....way too much icy white stuff. It was actually sort of nice that the dough was already ready, I just looked outside, got cranky, then began preheating the oven. Next thing I knew I had cookies!

Mmmmm cookies. Cookies that are just a little bit crisp, but mostly soft and cheeewwwyyyy and gooey in the centers. Cookies FULL of peanut butter flavor (no flour=less to take away from that peanut buttery goodness), with crunchy little bites of toffee, and gooey wonderful bites of rich milk chocolate. Ahh these cookies. Delightful when they are warm from the oven, and matured and complex and perfect at room temperature. 

Now, these cookies you see in my pictures might be a little more brown than yours will be. You see, you're not supposed to use homemade or natural pb in these, it doesn't make for the best texture. And I happened to have a bunch of PB & Co peanut butters hanging around. So...I sort of frankenstein'd it up and used a mix  of honey peanut butter, white chocolate peanut butter, and dark chocolate peanut butter (and that is to blame for the slightly darker color). I would've just used regular peanut butter but hey, either way...DELISH.

And let's not forget that these perfect little treats are gluten free, and I know A TON of people who are off that gluten but cravinggg sweets. Friends, never fear-THESE COOKIES ARE HERE!