I take pride in my creativity of recipes, interesting amalgamations of flavors, and unique ability to derive pleasure from unexpected marriages of scents, textures, and tastes.
I feel as though this is a gift – and a way to gift others with new and interesting gustatory experiences.

Sometimes, though, friends, acquaintances, and spouses (well, JUST my ONE beloved Brian) retort,
“I’m really just a basic chocolate chip cookie fan.”
Can you do that?

Well, I can. But, it’s really outside my comfort zone.

But, here we go.
Let’s please the crowd and bow to the masses:

Basic Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 Tbs. butter, room temperature
5 Tbs. shortening, room temperature
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
1/2 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
14 oz. semi-sweet dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Using a stand mixer (or hand beating in a large bowl), cream together the butter, shortening, sweetened condensed milk, and brown sugar, until smooth and creamy.
Blend in the vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Next, add the flour 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well.

Fold in the dark chocolate chips.

Chill for 30 minutes.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Scoop 1″ balls of cookie dough and space 1-2″ apart on the baking sheets. Form and flatten into discs.

Bake 12-13 minutes, until golden brown and absolutely PERFECT!

Cool for several minutes.

Distribute and dunk in cold milk for the best treat ever!

Challenge accepted. Mission accomplished. BASIC Chocolate Chip Cookies.