Brownie-Batter Stuffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies

If you've been on my Facebook page lately, you may be feeling a little déjà vu-ish at the moment, because this post was inspired by a recent post there.

To recap: my girls were getting ready to host their friend Kelsey for a sleepover. I told them to ask her what she wanted for dessert, and Kelsey said she couldn't decide between brownies and chocolate-chip cookies. 

My younger daughter, who is well-versed in our family's dessert repertoire, told her, "I know what you want." 

Enter Brownie-Batter Stuffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies.

I included the basic method for these cookies on Facebook, but here's a more detailed recipe. Because no one should have to choose between two of the great desserts of the world when it's entirely possible to have them both in one life-altering bite.

Brownie-Batter Stuffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies {print}

1 standard-sized batch chocolate-chip cookie dough, well chilled (make your favorite recipe or make my favorite recipe or use a tube from the grocery store or haul out that tub you bought from the school fundraiser and stashed in the freezer...any chocolate-chip cookie dough will work as long as it is well-chilled and firm)

1 batch brownie batter, made by mixing together the following ingredients and freezing until solid and firm...don't try to cheat this step:

• 1 standard-sized box plain, basic brownie mix (I like Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge)
• melted butter equivalent to the oil called for on the box (e.g., 1/3 cup melted butter instead of 1/3 cup oil)
• water as called for on the box (e.g., 1/4 cup for 1/4 cup)
• NO egg(s), no matter what the box calls for (e.g., none for one, none for two, none for three...this brownie batter contains ZERO eggs)

Once you've got a well-chilled batch of cookie dough and a solidly frozen batch of brownie batter within reach, you're ready to roll, wrap, and bake. 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and either coat a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Scoop about 1 scant tablespoon of frozen brownie batter out of the container you stored it in and roll it into a ball. You may have to show the batter who's boss at first, but it will get easier as the batter softens up a little. Now take about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons well-chilled chocolate-chip cookie dough and smoosh it out a little in the palm of your hand. Place your brownie ball in the center and fold the cookie dough up around it. You are trying to entirely encase the brownie batter in cookie dough. Yes, this is a little messy. But so are lots of other things in life that are much less delicious than these cookies will be. Carry on. Pinch the cookie dough around the brownie batter ball until the brownie batter is safely tucked inside and cannot be seen. 

Place on your prepared cookie sheet and repeat with enough of your remaining dough and batter until you have as many cookies as you want to make. Chill/freeze remaining dough and batter until you need it.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until cracked around the edges and puffed in the center. Cool on the cookie sheet for several minutes or until the cookies are firm enough to remove to a wire rack without falling apart in transit. Eat while warm, with a big glass of cold milk.

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I've never made this kind of plea before on this page, and I'm not going to do it again. But if you haven't stopped by my Facebook page, I'd love to have you do it now. I have this weird dream of getting to 777 "likes"--7 being a number of completion in the Bible and all that. I don't know...it just seems so tidy to me. Unlike my house. Which is enough said on both these subjects. Thanks for reading.

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Ten Things You Can Never Have Too Much or Too Many Of

 

There are a few things I can't imagine needing another one of...ever. 

Mugs, for instance. Hot chocolate, hot tea, life-sustaining coffee-flavored creamer: I have vessels for all of these. All at once. With several in the dishwasher, awaiting a run cycle. Even if we have guests. 

I'm also good to go on lice outbreaks, having done three. (Which was four too many.) 

And decorative scarves. For every mood, outfit, meteorological condition, and neckline, I. Am. Set. 

On the other hand, here are a few things I've always got room in my kitchen or closet or desk drawer or life for.

1. Friends who know what you're really like...but like you anyway. People in my life who fit this description, you know who you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Also, thank you.

2. Chocolate chip cookie recipes. Once you find a classic recipe you like and can rely on for emotional rehab when your family has a rotten day, you stick with it. But there's always some new variation out there that just might change your life, and really--do you want to miss it? Here's my favorite, one-stop-shopping collection to get you started. 

3. Caramelized onions. Every time I make a batch of these (usually for the caramelized onion, spinach, sausage, and Parmesan pizza my husband and I slightly addicted to), I look at the huge pile of raw rings in the pan and think, "We'll never need all these." Then, half an hour later, when I'm staring at the two tablespoons of finished product, I think, "Why didn't I make more?" (Need a lesson/recipe? Start here.)

4. Rolls of tape that have ends you can find. Re: "they can put a man on the moon...."

5. Staplers that actually work. And by "work," I mean they actually staple (gasp) on the first try and do not cause me to yell, "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THIS STUPID THING???!!!!" before throwing it against the wall. For example.

6. Outfits that fit any time of the month that you feel good in that don't wrinkle or bunch up or show stains or require that belt you used to have but haven't seen in three years. 

7. Music that inspires, motivates, soothes, heals, helps, guides, and comforts. Some of my favorites (a VERY incomplete list):

Aaron Copeland's "Hoe Down" from Rodeo

Kristene DiMarco/Bethel Music's "It is Well"

Audio Machine's Tree of Life

Elevation Worship's "Call Upon the Lord"

Mercy Me's "Even If"

Toby Mac's "Move"

"The Great Day" from The Story

8. Love that comes anywhere close to the 1 Corinthians 13 standard. Or even tries to on a regular basis.

9. Working batteries. I would love to know what it's like to have too many of these in my house. In fact, usually, I'd just like to know what it's like to have any at all.

10. Faith. Life is hard--for now. But God is good and great--forever.

What's missing from this list? I'd love to have you add it on in a comment or over on Facebook. And if you've got a make and model for #5, will you please, please let me know about it? My walls are thanking you already.

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Photo credit: Sanja Gjenero, www.rgbstock.com/gallery/lusi.

Things You Think When You Are the Parent of a High School Senior

I am the mom of a high school senior. 

This means I am perpetually getting into my purse for one of three things: 1)tissues (see, "senior moment"); 2)my credit card; 3)my phone (see, "camera to record senior moment for which I will need a tissue").

My mind is spinning more than usual these days, ever since the calendar year and my daughter's graduation year turned into THE SAME NUMBER, God help me.

But in the midst of all the spinning, my brain seems to be on a continual loop with the following recurring thoughts...

1. I have GOT to memorize her social security number.

2. Exactly how much meat do I need for a taco bar for 200 people?

3. Where is that video of her singing that solo in that school program that year when she was in elementary school?

4. Will this be the last time she's home for Valentine’s Day/putting up the Christmas tree/her birthday/family game night? Did I take enough pictures this time around in case it is? Where is my phone? Where ARE the tissues?

5. Will she like these cups for her party? (Takes picture of cups while hiding in the electrical supply aisle at the grocery store. Sends to prospective graduate for approval.)

6. I cannot believe this is her last band concert/basketball game/high school musical/swim meet/pediatrician’s well-check.

7. My entire life has become an acronym: FAFSA, EFC, SAR, GPA, SAT, ACT. (SOS.)

8. How far in advance can an extended weather forecast for the day of her party be trusted?

9. June is only how many months away?

10. Did I miss the deadline for that scholarship application/yearbook senior picture submission/graduation party rental?

11. I have GOT to make a list.

12. "Just buy the basic model and put the extra $250 into a college fund, for crying out loud!" (Upon hearing about a $299 baby monitor that tells parents when they're low on diapers.)

  

13. This is not just a year of lasts. It’s really just the last year before a year of firsts.

14. Have I made her favorite meal lately? Has she been home to eat her favorite meal lately?

15. Why did we wait so long to do all the stuff around this house that needs to be done before her party?

16. Please, God, don’t let it rain on graduation.

17. Please, God, don’t let it rain on her party.

18. I think I'd better start listening to "Pomp and Circumstance" over and over to try to build up my emotional immunity.

19. Note to self: buy waterproof mascara.

20. I don't think I could love this child more than I do right now. But I thought that when she was born, and look what's happened since.

Shameless share: my senior.

If you're in this season right now, what's going around on your mental hamster wheel these days? If you've been there and done that, what do you remember thinking over...and over...and over? If these days are still ahead of you (way, way ahead...don't think about it yet), maybe you know a senior parent you can pass this along to. And while you're at it, hand them a tissue, will you?


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