Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Happy Valentines Day!  I have never been one of those girls that really got into the commercialism of this holiday.  When I was in college, I would wear all black and boycott it.  Now that I'm married, I have a sweet hubby who brings me flowers but I still think it's crazy to expect your guy to spend a fortune on gifts to show his love.  Seriously, flowers die, candy rots your teeth and jewelry is just shiny rocks.  I'd much rather have my guy show his love in little ways everyday than by buying extravagant gifts once a year.  But that's just me.

My hubby loves my chocolate chocolate chip cookies.  They taste like a brownie and a chocolate chip cookie got married and had a baby.  Perfect for Valentines Day, right?

CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup self rising flour*
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

*If you don't have self rising flour, mix 1 cup all purpose flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp baking soda.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the softened butter with sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla.  To "cream together" just means to mix with a mixer on medium-high speed until well blended and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa and cinnamon.

Mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture until combined.  Don't over mix it.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop from a Tablespoon, 2 inches apart, onto a cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.  You want these slightly under done.  If you over bake them, they will get all dried out and that's not good.  Just slightly golden on the edges.

These are so good!  It's like a brownie and a cookie all rolled into one.  If that doesn't say love, I don't know what does?

Brownie in a Mug

Ever get a craving for something sweet and chocolatey but you're already in your PJs and don't feel like going out?  (It can't just be me?)  If so, this one's for you.  An easy brownie you make in a mug and cook in the microwave?!  Yes, that's right, only one mug to clean, nothing else.  Sound too good to be true?  Usually I would agree, but I've tried this (several times) and it works.  Not only that, it's delicious!  Here's how easy it is to make:

BROWNIE IN A MUG

1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
2 TBS oil
3 TBS water

In a microwave-safe mug, mix flour, sugar, cocoa and salt.

Add oil and water.  Mix well with a fork (I have a tiny whisk.  It's so cute!).

Microwave times vary.  My microwave is pretty powerful and it took 1 minute 10 seconds.  If you have an older microwave or a less powerful one, it may take up to 1 minute 40 seconds.  Check it after 1 minute 10 seconds and if it's not done put it back in for another 10 seconds.  Keep doing that until it's done.  You'll know it's done when it's no longer liquidy on top.  But you don't want to over cook it.  Nothing worse than a dried out brownie.

You can top it with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream or just eat it as is.  If you want to make it a little more decadent, stir in a few chocolate chips before you cook it.

Look how moist it is on the inside.  Delicious!

This brownie is quick, easy and really hits the spot when you're craving chocolatey goodness!