Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sure, chocolate chip cookies are ubiquitous. But there's a good reason for that! When it's a cold night in the bleak midwinter, a warm batch of gooey chocolate chip cookies are just what a body needs to begin to look on the bright side of things. Send the kids to their baths, make your dough, eat a few bites before it pops into the oven, and when the kids come down all squeaky clean and jammied, they'll love you more than ever. As a matter of fact, seems to me they should call 'em "chocolate chip cookie points."

Make sure your butter is softened before you start, and begin with room temp ingredients. I also like to use parchment paper on my cookie sheets for a nice, even baking. At 375F, I find that 11 minutes and 30 seconds is just right for a soft, golden brown cookie.

Don't forget that delicious raw milk!

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Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup light sugar, packed
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 375F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, add brown and white sugars, then beat until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, on at a time, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture little by little, mixing just until all of the flour is absorbed. Add the chocolate chips and the nuts, and mix. Drop tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 11.5 minutes at 375F, or until golden brown.