Chocolate Chip Cookies with Peanut M&Ms

Happy belated Valentine's Day!

Are you hung over from rich food, chocolate and wine like me? Good. It's nice to indulge once in awhile.

Instead of getting my significant other a heart-shaped box of chocolates and a teddy bear, I decided to go with things I know he'd like much better: cookies and beer. There's no better way to a guy's heart than with a 6-pack and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Well maybe a 6-pack and ribs or bacon. But you gotta have something a little sweet on this Hallmark holiday. I, on the other hand, love all the traditional flowers, candy and crap.

Now onto these cookies...

Oh, these glorious cookies...

I much prefer a soft, thick chocolate chip cookie than the flat, crisp ones. If you're like me, then this recipe is perfect. The ratio of baking powder to soda is what gives the cookies a fluffier, chunkier texture. I added the peanut M&Ms to make it more Valentines-y, but this is definitely my go-to choco chip cookie recipe.

Chocolate Chip Cookie w/ Peanut M&Ms Recipe:

• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flower
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 stick butter, room temp
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large, cold egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini chocolate chips in these cookies and definitely didn't measure)
• 1 cup peanut M&Ms
  

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease two baking sheets.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In another large bowl, beat the sugar, butter and vanilla until nice and light, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, add the egg and beat until well incorporated. Add half of the dry ingredients, beat/stir and then mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Finally, dump in your chocolate chips (and peanut M&Ms!) and combine.

Size is up to you, but I made about tablespoon (tbsp and 1/2) sized dough balls. The peanut M&Ms do not incorporate well because they're so big, so you'll probably just have to stick about two randomly in each cookie dough ball. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden on the top.

Now that's true love ;)