Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's been a long time since I posted. Way too long. Between the girls and school, I've been finding it hard to come up with real "me time." The semester ends next week so hopefully I'll be able to get back to a more stable routine that includes more time focusing on the things I enjoy doing, such as baking and blogging. Or at least a few weeks of overindulging before the grind of a new semester gets going.

Apparently, I have a bit of an obsession with red velvet cookies and I have made four different types of red velvet cookies in the past year, including this one (red velvet crinkle cookies, red velvet cookies, and red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting). This recipe is actually very similar to one of the other ones I made, but, if I remember correctly enough to compare, these cookies were more chewy than the other ones. These cookies were so good that I have spent the last 24-hours in between paper writing thinking about making these cookies again. Seriously, give these easy cookies a try.

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies 
Source: How Sweet It Is 
Yields about two dozen cookies

1 box Red Velvet cake mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until a dough forms. Fold in chocolate chips.

Roll into balls and bake at 350 for 8 minutes.

Birthday Celebration & Sprinkle {Funfetti} Chocolate Chip Cookies

The girls' birthday party was postponed because Cati broke her collarbone in the beginning of February. Recovery time for that was six weeks but I wanted to wait a little bit longer just to make sure she was 100% healed. Once she was healed I jumped on the first date everyone had available and the girls had their 1st and 3rd birthday party on March 24, 2013. As usual, I was all about the dessert table and creating a pretty looking and delicious tasting spread. The theme was stars and every dessert had gold stars and colorful sprinkles (Cati's request). I went with this Sprinkle Cake recipe and made two small cakes for each of the girls. I also made Oreo truffles, chocolate chip topped brownies, and these Sprinkle Chocolate Chip Cookies that were right up my chocolate chip cookie loving alley. Plus, how can you not like sprinkles?

The best part of the party, however, was the Safari Edventure. The girls loved it, even Elina! I'd say that between the animals and all the sweets, this has been the best and most enjoyed party yet. Call me crazy, but I have already started thinking about next year's party, which will be our last in Miami until we know where Alex gets a permanent job. Either way, I can't believe I have two toddlers now. I'm one lucky lady, that's for sure.

Sprinkle {Funfetti} Chocolate Chip Cookies
Source: Beantown Baker
Yields approximately 30 cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

4 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup sprinkles
sea salting, for sprinkling (optional)

Melt the butter in a saucepan until brown and set it aside to cool.

Cream the butter, cream cheese and both sugars together with an electric mixer until smooth.

Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until combined.

Turn the mixer on low and mix in the flour, salt and baking soda until just combined.

Add the chocolate chips and sprinkles and mix until just incorporated.

Cover the dough and refrigerate until chilled, several hours or overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a few trays with baking paper.

Using a cookie scoop, scoop out dough and place on bakingsheet. Flatten slightly. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake for 9-12 minutes, until the edges are golden.