As many of you know, before I became a momma, I was an elementary school teacher. I was really fortunate to teach at an amazing school where I made many friends. This was key for me; I started teaching the day after we moved to Cincinnati. I had roughly three friends when we moved to Ohio, so these women really became a family and a support system for me. I really love them and miss them.
They started back to school a few weeks ago, so Griffin and I decided to make them some cookies as a little treat. After the first batch went into the oven, Griffin became very upset. I couldn't figure out why, but as soon as I did, I started recording him on my phone. Bless his cookie loving heart.
I'll be honest-- before this day, Griffin had probably had two cookies ever. I didn't even know he knew the word for cookie (or COO-GAH). He was pretty smitten with them, though, and he might have gotten two once they came out of the oven and cooled off a bit.
We took two different cookies up to school-- Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies and Lemon Sugar Cookies. Both are so tasty and so different, which was what I was going for. I know that not everyone loves chocolate, so I wanted to provide them with an alternative. The chocolate cookies were so soft and decadent. I can't wait to make them again! The lemon sugar cookies are one of my favorite cookie recipes! My friend Traci brought them to a Christmas cookie exchange three years ago and they've been one of our favorites ever since. They are so unique, but SO delicious. I hope the teachers enjoyed them! I know I always loved a little pick-me-up in the work room during the day when I'd pop down to my mailbox.
I thought y'all might like the cookie recipes! Apparently I've turned this into a food blog this week. Never fear, I will be back soon with some posts that won't tempt you to add inches to your waist.
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Makes 2 dozen
- 1 (8 oz) brick cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 stick butter, room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box moist chocolate cake mix
- Confectioner's sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up the dough so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls (I used my cookie scoop) and then roll them in confectioner's sugar.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 minutes.
The cookies will remain soft and gooey. Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioner's sugar. Enjoy!
Lemon Sugar Cookies
via my friend Traci's aunt
Makes 2 1/2 dozen
- 3/4 c. white sugar, plus more for rolling the cookies
- 3/4 c. softened butter
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 Tbsp lemon extract
- 2 c. flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the sugar and butter together. Add egg and combine thoroughly. Add lemon extract and mix.
Add flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt, and mix until well combined.
Roll into tablespoon sized balls and dip in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet and press down with a fork in a criss-cross pattern, as you would for a peanut butter cookie.
Bake for 10 minutes. DO NOT let them start to brown. Remove from cookie sheet immediately to cool. Enjoy!
