Chocolate Chip Slab Cookies

Well this recipe is going to be a bit difficult for some of you cause it is all done on weight. I have made it a quite a few times but just use my scales so don't know any other measurements. But it is really quick and easy and great for a quick bake sale or treat to take somewhere as it tastes great and I usually have all the ingredients already. It is also great for a recipe to make with Kids, Emma always helps with this one, especially at the end.

Ingredients

220g/7.75 oz butter, softened

200g/7oz brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

300g/10.5oz plain flour

200g/7oz chocolate chips, but really I just put as many as I feel in. (Well usually however many Emma feels like)

1) Cream butter and sugar until nice and creamy it really is the secret

2) Beat in the vanilla

3) It says stir in the recipe but I usually beat in the flour but just lightly until it is combined.

Now the first time I made this I thought something must be wrong and spend another 2 batches trying to fix it when eventually I realized it was best when I stuck to the recipe. But it will be really dry and like breadcrumbs but don't worry.

4) Stir in chocolate chips, which is easy to do as it is really dry.

5) Pour into a greased 13x9 dish, or whatever dish you like. Press down (this is where Emma helps the most) when you press down you will finally see it moisten up a bit ad clump together.

6) Bake at 180C/350F for 20-25 mintues, until the edges get nice and brown.

7) When cool (if you can wait) just cut into squares and serve.

I used to find these a bit dry compared to my other cookies but they are really addictive and everyone who has tried them has really liked them.

Chocolate Caramel Slice

Alright well in New Zealand they love slices, I wasn't really sure what they mean by a slice at first but it is something that is cooked in a pan of sorts and then cut (sliced) into squares. So here is a recipe that Joanna, my mother-in-law, gave me but for some reason I can make way better than her, I think cause I actually follow the recipe. It is really good, a bit time consuming cause I like to let it cool between a few steps but not difficult. H0pefully it translates to America.

Ingredients
Base
175g softened butter (about 3/4 cup I think)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 tbls cocoa
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder

Caramel Filling
50g butter
3 tbls golden syrup (this is the part I am worried about, it is syrup but not maple just golden, that is what it says on the bottle, so have a look)
1 tin condensed milk (if you can find caramel flavored condensed milk, then it might take the golden syrup part away)

Base
1. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla
2. Add egg and beat well
3. Sift dry ingredients and mix thorougly
4. Press into a greased and floured pan. (I use baking paper as well)
Now I find that for a 13x9 pan I need to make this recipe 1.5 times or I double it and it makes a 13x9 plus one smaller. Will have to try and make one batch in a 13x9 but I like the base so like it a bit thicker. So if you have a smaller pan try that.

Also it will be very sticky and a bit hard to spread, so I dip my hand in some flour and that helps, just keep touching the flour and then the mix to help spread it out.

Caramel Filling
1. In a microwave safe bowl put all ingredients in and cook in micorwave for about 2.5 minutes
2. Remove and stir, let sit for 2 minutes
3. Return to microwave for a further 2-3 minutes.
Now it will look like it has curdled a bit but that is fine, I think it helps make it nice and firm. So just stir it out, it will look a bit smother and even if there are a few lumps left, don't worry you won't notice when it is done.

Now once base is cool, spread warm caramel filling. Now I put it in the fridge to let the caramel set, this is the part that takes awhile. Once set, which probably doesn't really take that long spread with chocolate icing. I like the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting I use for the brownies, or you can use any cocolate icing you like but you want it to be a bit solid.

Once 3 layers are done and set, cut into squares and enjoy. Now these are good just as they are, but I like to keep them in the fridge and eat them from there, just gives them a nice texture, but they are great as is.

Chocolate Chip Slab Cookies

Got the recipe from a cookbook given to me by Rachel, it is great for something fast and good to take away something cause you can make it in a few minutes and there is no fiddly bits.

Ingredients
220g (7 3/4 oz) butter, softened
200g (7oz) brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
300g (10 1/2 oz) flour
200g chocolate chips, or as many as you feel

1. Beat butter and sugar together until nice and creamy, this is kind of important.
2. Add vanilla and continue to beat.
3. Stir in flour and then chocolate chips. The mixture will seem really dry and crumbly.
4. Pat into a greased 13x9 pan. Once you pat it down it will seem a bit more moist.
5. Bake at 350F/180C for 22-25 minutes or until the edges are slightly crisp, it will look nice and golden brown.
6. Allow to cool and cut into squares.

I can bang these out in about 10 minutes, then about after cooking and a bit of cooling they are ready to go. They are amazingly addictive.

Blueberry Muffins

After recieving 2kgs of Blueberries I decided I needed to find a good muffin recipe so tried a few different ones and found that I really like this one. The muffin part is really fluffy and the topping is fatastic! Haven't tried it without the topping but I am sure it would still be great.

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
milk
1 cup blueberries

Topping
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup butter cubed
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1. Heat oven to 400F/200C
2. Combine flour, sugar, sald and baking powder
3. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup, add the egg and enough milk to make 1 cup.
4. Mix with flour mixture.
5. Fold in blueberries.
6. Fill greased muffin cups almost to the top and sprinkle with topping. I use silicone muffin cups and don't grease them at all and they are perfect.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes

Topping
1. Mix sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon (if using) and mix together with a fork or fingers till well combined, will be clumpy.

Fudge Brownies

This is a recipe I got from my Aunt Candice. We have been making them since I was little which I can prove since I am using the recipe from an elementry school cook book. They are really easy to make and everyone loves them.

Ingredients
Brownies
3/4 cup or 175g butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1tsp vanilla
3/4 cup cocoa
1 cup flour

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
4 tbls butter
4 tbsp cocoa
1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar (icing sugar)
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbls milk

1. Beat butter and sugar together.
2. Add eggs, one at a time and beat will after each egg.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Sift together flour and cocoa and add to butter mixture.
5. Mix until just blended, don't over beat or mixture will get too smooth and won't be as fudgy, more cake like then.
6. Put in UNGREASED 13x9 pan and bake at 350F/180C for 25 min
7. Let cool and frost with frosting

Frosting
1. Beat butter and cocoa together.
2. Add powder/icing sugar and mix well.
3. Add vanilla and mix.
4. Add milk tbls at a time until you get the desired consitency.

This is a great frosting and I use it for lots of things, probably one of my favorites.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

These are my world famous chocolate chip cookies, I have been making them for years and they are fantastic everytime, everyone loves them.

Ingredients
1 package instant pudding (choc or vanilla, I like vanilla)
dash of salt
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda

2 eggs
1 cup/250g butter, softened works best
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Lots of Chocolate Chips!

1. Mix first 4 ingredients, the dry ingredients.
2. Beat eggs, butter, sugars untill a bit creamy.
3. Add vanilla and mix.
4. Add in dry ingredients bits at a time.
5. Once all mixed together, add chocolate chips.
6. Place on baking sheet, I like to use baking paper or something non stick.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375F or 190C.
8. Cover rack with foil and let cookies cool if you can wait that long.