Tasty Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite comfort food. But if you're like me, I'm tired of making the same-old-same-old. Quarantine 2020 is providing many opportunities for experimental baking. Since my sons are all around, I have plenty of willing taste testers.

During this time, I recommend having some fun in the kitchen with your honey.  Pour each of you a glass of wine. Wear matching aprons. Feel free to get a little silly... remember when you first were living together?

I found this unique recipe and didn't tell son #2 about the cream cheese, (he hates the stuff). The addition of cream cheese gives these chocolate chip cookies a rich, dense, cake-like texture. 

Give it a try!

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 ounces butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips

Preparation:

·         Heat oven to 350°. Grease a cookie sheet, or spray with nonstick cooking spray, or line with silicone liner.

·         In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. Slowly beat in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.

·         Drop by teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet(s), leaving about 1 inch between cookies. These cookies spread very little. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly browned around the edges.

·         Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.

Give Me a Shot of Whiskey Sanitizer

During the shutdown of almost everything during Quarantine 2020, several companies have "switched gears" and are producing other items. We see examples every day on the news such as GM building ventilators, ice manufactures making protective shields, etc. My favorite Switch is the distilleries making hand sanitizer.

Traverse City Whiskey Company quickly answered a need. The little distillery is located in the quaint Northern Michigan town of Traverse City and makes some of the smoothest whiskey around. The amazing team there, switched gears and began making hand sanitizer. 

My middle son, Devin, goes to school and works in TC and ordered some of the hand sanitizer for us.

Check it out!

It's sooooo cool!!!!

Visit the Traverse City Whiskey Co. 

The Buck Shops Here

to get yours today!

Thank you Traverse City Whiskey Co. 

for everything you do!

#SupportLocalBusiness

#KeepYourHoneySafe

Take Out Some Love

Hubby said, "Don't cook tonight. Let's order take-out." Music to my ears.

We ordered dinner from the Junction of Hope, a local restaurant.

"The Junction of Hope is America’s first nonprofit 501(c)3 restaurant. Our mission is to employ adults with special needs in Saginaw, Shiawassee and Genesee Counties. Though we operate as a restaurant, our real purpose is to be an employer of people with special needs."  - Taken from their web page.

My family eats there often as my sister-in-law knows several of the "kids" who work at "the Junction". Cheryl has gone to school with or competed at Special Olympics with many of those who pass through the doors.

Lucky for us, they are offering their full menu via take-out.

My whitefish was tender and so flavorful, it melted in my mouth. The homemade coleslaw was made perfectly according to food connoisseur son #2. I paired my meal with a Prophecy white wine. 

Hubby had the baked cod dinner with extra fish, of course, with fries and a salad. He paired his meal with a Corona Light. The boys had monster burgers and ate all their food plus my fries.

We enjoyed our dinner on the deck and were entertained by the backyard wildlife including 3 turkeys. (Real birds... not my guys, even tho they can be turkeys at times.)

During this time, we need to help our local restaurants more than ever. I'm talking about the ones who are owned by someone you normally might run into at the grocery store or church. Most of these small businesses are offering Take-Out services; some even Drive-In services. Try to make a point at least once a week to take a break from cooking and "get some take-out".  Add some wine or a brew, take it to the deck or porch or even picnic style.  Enjoy time alone with your honey or as a family.

Visit the Junction of Hope website

#SupportSmallBusiness