baking

Mint Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

What do browned butter, pure peppermint extract, and dark chocolate chips have in common?

Combined with your typical cookie dough ingredients, they make an amazing cookie. The fresh minty taste, along with rich dark chocolate has quickly made these cookies a staple in our household.

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If you’re a fan of Thin Mints and chocolate chip cookies, I have a feeling you’ll love these!

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into chunks
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
2 large eggs
1 cup dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate, cut into small chunks

Directions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until butter forms browned specks on the bottom of the pan. Pour butter into a large bowl and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
3. Add sugars and peppermint extract to butter and beat on medium speed with a hand mixer until combined. Add eggs, one at a time and mix on medium speed until well blended.
4. Slowly stir in flour mixture with a large spoon. Add chocolate chips or chunks and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
6. Bake 9 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Cool on cookie sheet for two minutes and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

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Cake Mode

It has been quite some time since I’ve been in what I like to call cake mode. When I think about buttercream consistency, pan sizes, baking times, and food colorings almost constantly. That’s cake mode.

Each year since 2011, I have always made Jimmy a special cake for his birthday. There was the hamburger cake, welder cake, Oreo cake, Ford cake, and a strawberry cake.

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Most years, I was really into making unique cakes. I’d spend weeks planning, researching, taste testing, and practicing. The look on Jimmy’s face when I’d surprise him with a special cake was the best, though I’m sure he caught on to the surprise after a couple of years, ha.

Aside from Jimmy’s birthday cakes, I’d occasionally make one for Hannah’s birthday or parties with friends, or just whip up a hummingbird cake for no special reason. And cupcakes from time to time. Can’t forget those!

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Over the past few years, I haven’t baked quite as much as I used to. Sure I’ll make a loaf of bread or batch of cookies, but the last time I made a special cake was for Jimmy’s birthday in May.

My mom, Hannah’s bridesmaids, and I began planning Hannah’s bridal shower and I got assigned to make the cake and cupcakes (or maybe I begged? 🙂 ) I’ve been trying to nail down exactly what I want to do. Jimmy thinks I should make a large tier cake, but I’m kind of leaning towards a small layered cake and making lots of cupcakes to go with it.

I’ve been experimenting with batter flavors, food coloring, buttercream, and piping styles and I forgot how much I love baking cakes and decorating them! Pinterest and YouTube have grown so much since I first started cake decorating in 2011, so I am feeling extra inspired lately. So many ideas!

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I practiced rosette cupcakes filled with whipped cream and topped with purple frosting and they came out well. I think they just need something more. Maybe some type of sparkly topping?

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I also made a purple ombre cake with rosettes. The cake is made of three 6” rounds, so it’s pretty small. I’m thinking of doing the ombre cake with a bunch of cupcakes to go around it. Whatever I end up doing, I know I’m having a blast playing around in the kitchen. I’m so happy to be able to contribute to Hannah’s bridal shower in this way 🙂

What do you guys think? Send any ideas my way!