Ari's Cookie Jar Chocolate Chip

Baking cookies has always been one of my favorite things to do with my grands.  Both Ari and Maddie patiently await my cue to add ingredients and in between stick their little fingers and ask, "I taste?"

This morning, Ari said to me, "Mimi, my cookie jar is empty."  A few months ago, when I sent cookies to him, I put them in a plastic jar to protect them in shipping, but now it sat on the counter empty just like he said.  We made Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles in October and filled the jar, so on this snowy, cold day, we chose chocolate chip, another comfort food.

I know baking is a great way to build self-esteem; completing the steps in a recipe with gratifying results.  I loved baking cookies with my mother and baking with my girls.  Now, there's a new generation to pass along this tradition and I'm loving it even more.

Ari's Cookie Jar Chocolate Chip

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 egg white
1 T vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven 350F-degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment or use a Silpat (silicon mat)

In a stand mixer, cream the butter until fluffy.  Add the brown sugar and beat for 2-3 minutes to completely combine.  Add the eggs, egg white and vanilla and mix well.  In a medium bowl, mix all the dry ingredients and add to the batter.  Mix just until combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.

The batter is soft and Ari had no problem giving it a stir.  Use a cookie scoop or a large tablespoon to drop the cookies on the prepared sheet.  Ari likes BIG cookies (just like his mama did) so we did big scoops.  Eight mounds of dough per baking sheet, spacing about 2-inches apart.

Bake the cookies for 12 minutes.  Let them cool on the sheet for at least 5 minutes, then, remove to a rack to cool completely.  These cookies, as Ari said, "Soft and yummy," but if you prefer a crispier cookie, change out the light brown sugar to dark brown.  You can also add nuts or dried fruit (cranberries, tart cherries, raisins).  All I know is that these cookies made my grandson very happy to have his cookie jar filled once more.  Enjoy!