Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies!

Tis the season!

And guess what? It's just less than one week until Christmas. I told you I'd be back back with some more holiday goodies and this time I brought you fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies. What would Christmas be like without milk and cookies. Maybe some people leave oreo's for Santa but in my house, it's always homemade chocolate chip cookies. These are our tradition.

This recipe is an oldie. There's something very special about these cookies. Maybe it's because I have fond memories of helping my mom make them. Or maybe it's because they're that perfect texture: chewy and just soft enough to melt in your mouth. Trust me when I say that if make said cookies and place them in a cookie jar on your kitchen counter top, they will disappear before your eyes. I've learnt this the hard way. I know, I know, it's a cookie jar and afterall they're supposed to be eaten, but they didn't even last a week!

These are some of the easiest cookies you'll ever with make. They're tender and seriously chocolate-y and take only 6 ingredients to make. This is simple baking at its finest. You'll have to take my word for it. ;) 

This cookie recipe is a keeper!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

makes 4 dozen cookies (about 48)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 12-oz package semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375˚degrees.
2. In a stand mixer or large bowl mix butter, brown sugar and egg thoroughly. Stir in flour and baking soda (the dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips just until incorporated. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. The centers will be soft.
3. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 cookie Calories: 109 Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 3.7g Sodium: 57mg Carbohydrates: 13g Sugar: 7.9g Fiber: 0.5g Protein: 0.8g

The Best Old-Fashioned Date Squares

Welcome to baking season!

Have I got a treat for you today!

This is a classic Canadian dessert bar. There's something very satisfying about a good date square. Delicious pureed dates sandwiched between two layers of buttery oatmeal crumb crust. Sigh...I can almost smell them baking away in the oven right now. You're going to love these!

The great thing about this recipe is that you can whip them up really fast and have them in the oven baking in no time. These really are the best date squares I've ever had!

This recipe comes from my grandmother's collection that was passed down to my mom. It's been in the family for a long time now and is one of those special recipes that never goes out of style. I've heard so many stories from my dad about all the amazing desserts and things my grandmother used to make. Her homemade fudge was something that people from the town of Douro used to line up at her front door for. I'm also told that her chocolate cakes were something to die for. I must search out more of her recipes. I never got the chance to try her baking as she passed away when I was very young, but I thank you 100 times and more for this dessert bar Grandma xxx.

The Best Old-Fashioned Date Squares yield: 16 squares

Print or email this recipe

Ingredients:

oat crumble

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 2/3 cups rolled oats 
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup softened butter

date filling

• 1 lb. dates
• 1 cup hot water

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in softened butter until fully incorporated. The mixture should resemble course crumbs.
2. For the date filling, combine dates and hot water in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and cook, stirring often until dates are soft and begin to thicken.
3. Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch baking pan to form the bottom crust.
4. Press the date filling over the bottom crust.
5. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over date filling. Lightly pat down with your fingers to even out the topping.
6. Bake at 325˚ for 30 minutes until the top is lightly browned and golden.
7. Cool completely and cut into squares.

If you're looking for some more amazing dessert bars, I've got a killer recipe for Magic Bars right here!

I'll be back next week to share some more holiday goodies!