chocolate chip cookies

I am not that great of a baker...I try, and find it quite a success if I manage to not set off the smoke alarm. My dad informs me that I have talents elsewhere, to make me feel slightly better. Despite my trial and error cooking style, I will keep trying. I might never be Martha Stewart, but it doesn't mean I can't be inspired nonetheless. 

A couple of weeks ago, I brought out the oven mitts for another cooking attempt! My younger brother was away at camp for a month and I promised him I'd send some cookies his way...god willing the oven and mother nature worked out on my side. I am pretty good with making chocolate chip cookies and usually stick true to the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag, but this time I tried something different. 

I used the recipe Lexi's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies from 

Martha Stewart's Menus for Entertaining Cookbook. 

The first two batches of cookies I sort of neglected in the oven, so they ended up a little crisp, (sometimes I get a little distracted...) but the rest were WONDERFUL and oh so delicious. They even made it all the way up to Northern Michigan and were devoured by a hungry camper!

Here's the recipe for you to try:

Lexi's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 30 4-inch cookies

*Actualy they are everyone's favorite chocolate chip cookies*

2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, soften

3 cups of brown sugar

1 cup sugar

4 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (although you can never have too many!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. 

Cream the butter in a large bowl until smooth; add the brown and granulated sugars. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended.

In another large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Beat this into the butter mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter onto the baking sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 minutes until golden brown.

Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and cool on a rack.