Have a playdate - make cookies!

What's better than having a playdate with a friend? Making cookies WHILE on a playdate! Skylar brought her friend Katarina (a.k.a Katka) home for a playdate last week and all the girls wanted to do was to make cookies. I happily obliged. We decided to make some simple chocolate cookies - crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Yummy. I like to make my dough with Ghirardelli's sweetened cocoa instead of the usual unsweetened kind. Although it makes it a tad sweeter, it gives it a brownie flavor which is oh-so-yum! But you can do it either way.

Katka and Skylar decorating their cookies

While baby sister Peyton waits patiently (with a bowl of mini M&M's!)

The future pastry chefs at work!

stopping for a hug and a smile

a view of our corkboard art wall

Brrrr - it's cold outside! See the snow on the deck?

Almost done....

Done!

Simple Chocolate Cookies

1 3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 stick butter (softened or room temperature)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup Ghirardelli sweetened cocoa powder OR

unsweetened cocoa powder OR Dutch process cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/8 cup milk

optional toppings: sugar sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini M&M's

1. In mixer with the paddle attachment, beat sugar and butter until fluffy.

2. Add the egg and vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.

4. Add slowly to the sugar/butter mixture until crumbly.

5. Slowly add in the milk until the dough sticks together (you don't have to use ALL the milk)

6. Chill for 15-30 minutes until firm.

7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

8. Roll out dough on to floured surface into 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutter and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

9. Add optional toppings.

10. Bake for 10 minutes if you want it a little chewy on the inside. 12-13 minutes if you want it crispy all the way through.

ENJOY!!!