What’s better than a chocolate chunk cookie with graham cracker pieces and melty, gooey marshmallows?! Not much, I’d venture to say! Many think of S’mores just in the summer time, but these addicting treasures can certainly be enjoyed any time of the year!
The kitchen is truly the center of our home. We tend to gather often around the food and the place where it is prepared. Whether I’m throwing together an easy lunch, concocting a yummy dessert like today’s spin on the traditional chocolate chip cookie, or getting dinner ready, my kids often shadow me, because they want to be where Mom is. I love that, and I will truly miss the day when they are not by my side there, even if it seems they are “in the way” at times. Cooking takes double the time with kiddo “helpers”, after all. 🙂
I have so many memories, growing up, of making bread, pies and other goodies with my mom. We’d mix, knead, roll, talk and laugh and I’d learn the tricks-of-the-trade from someone whom I saw as “the expert”.Now that I’m a mother, I’d like the same for my children. I want them to not only feel confident in the kitchen, but to have great experiences there that they can draw on and recall with fondness later in life. I also like the fact that we can keep screen time in check while creating something worthwhile and yummy!
After much practice, my kids (ages 8 and 5) are getting quite adept at using measuring cups and spoons, cracking eggs, and letting me know how much of each ingredient the recipe calls for. They get a kick out of bumping up the speed on the mixer, scraping the sides of the bowl, and of course sampling the product. All the while, we have conversations about church, school, their friends, what they want to be when they grow up, or just their plans for having fun in the upcoming week.
Without a doubt, the most-requested recipe for us to make together is my basic chocolate chip cookie dough. We like to switch it up each time by tossing in a myriad of add-ins. The other day, it was graham cracker pieces, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chunks to yield “The best S’mores Cookies ever!”, or at least the kiddos said so. I had to agree.
I mean, who can resist a soft, chewy cookie that resembles a favorite summer camp fire treat? Not us.
The kids were there from the start of the process to the end where their little hands formed the dough into imperfect balls.
And they were waiting at arms-length when the beauties came out of the oven. Just when the cookies reached a safe enough temperature, and not a moment longer, they grabbed a few and ran outside to snack while playing.
{S’MORES CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES}
1 c. (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
1 c. packed light brown sugar
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3 cups, plus 3 T. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 c. mini marshmallows
1 c. coarsely-chopped graham crackers
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs until well-combined. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda. Add to wet mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks, marshmallows and graham crackers. Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on a greased cookie sheet (because the marshmallows tend to stick when they melt). Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-11 minutes. Be careful not to over-bake! Let sit on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack. Store in an air-tight container.
We took these cookies to a BBQ with friends and they literally disappeared in a snap! So good!!!
Thank you for sharing this at Brag About It Link Party on VMG206.
~ Megin of VMG206
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