Day Ninety Two: Smashed Chocolate Chip Cookies

When in doubt, make cookies.
That broad statement can apply to so many situations.

Don't know how to cheer the kids up? Make cookies.
Need to make up with your spouse? Make cookies.
Want to impress a suitor? Make cookies.
Getting your period? Make cookies.
Lost a pet? Makes cookies.
Got up this morning feeling aimless? Make cookies.

And what is the perfect cookie for any/all of these occasions? The chocolate chip cookie. I happen to make a rockin' smashed chocolate chip cookie, and lucky for you that I feel like sharing.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 sticks of butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (packed) brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 pound bar of dark chocolate (I use Trader Joe's--what else, right?--1 pound bar of 72% dark chocolate)

Mix dry ingredients (salt, baking soda, flour) in a separate bowl and set aside. Place chocolate in sealable gallon plastic bag and smash into small pieces with a mallet. Set aside. Cream butter and sugars together in a large mixing bowl. Add vanilla extract and eggs one at a time. Stir in dry mixture one cup at a time. Mix cookie dough until it's a little fluffy, then gently stir in smashed chocolate chips.

IMPORTANT STEP: cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 24 hours before making.

Once you are ready to bake, take out dough from the fridge at least an hour beforehand. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spoon dough into 1 1/2 inch round circles onto an ungreased cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until golden.

Yields about 48 cookies.

Oh, and you're welcome!