Our Favorite Birthday Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

If you know me personally, you know I love a good chocolate dessert. I have made chocolate chip cookies so many times that I perfected (and memorized) my own recipe that I want to share with you all!

I have made these for neighbors, friends, birthday parties, party parties, the office (when we could go to an office), and they're usually gone in about 10 minutes after I open the package. 

Couple of Tips: 

• If you want to keep the cookies really fresh, wrap them in clingy plastic wrap AND aluminum foil. Plastic wrap first, closer to the cookies, and then aluminum foil. But only when they are cool!
• DO NOT over bake the cookies. If anything, under bake them as they will bake more when they are out of the oven. Especially if you leave them on the pan. Basically, if they do not look baked after 8 to 10 minutes, they really are!

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks (1cup) unsalted butter 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 chopped chocolate bar of your choice (I usually use Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate)

Recipe:

1. Some prep work is needed for this one to make the process run smoothly. I recommend chopping up the chocolate bar and mixing the flour, baking soda, and salt prior to starting to brown the butter. 
2. Place a large saucepan over medium-low heat and add in the unsalted butter. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the butter is light brown. This can happen quickly so watch the pan!
3. Pour the melted butter into a heat-safe bowl (separate from the flour mixture) and add in the granulated white sugar, packed brown sugar, and vanilla. 
4. Add the eggs to the butter, sugar, vanilla bowl stirring quickly! Follow up quickly with adding the flour mixture.
5. Stir in all of the chocolatey goodness and cover with plastic wrap. Put in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours until the mixture solidifies. This makes for a good cookie shape once they go into the oven. 
6. Preheat the oven to 350° F and line cookie sheets with aluminum foil (easy removal and clean up).
7. Scoop 1/2 inch balls of dough onto the sheet about 1 inch away from each other. I usually fit about 8 on a regular size cookie sheet. 
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. For larger cookies, bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. 
9. Cool completely on the counter and move to a plate once the chocolate has solidified. Cool in the refrigerator on the plate (uncovered) for about an hour and then cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. 

Walk these over to your neighbors or friend's house for their birthday with a nice foil embossed greeting card or drop them on your favorite co-worker's desk! This is our favorite, from the heart, birthday gift, or really any gift to receive.