Valentine Chocolate Chip Cookies

By srumbel

Do you ever create a little something that you just CAN’T WAIT to share? It actually happens to me quite often. The other day I made these Valentine Chocolate Chip Cookies that are just to die for!!! I have been playing with my chocolate chip cookie recipes for a while trying to create the “perfect”cookie. My first round I made of these particular Valentine cookies took nearly all my valentine M&M’s & they didn’t turn out photo worthy. They tasted great – but they weren’t the whole package if you know what I mean. The perfect cookie to me has to have it all. Chewy, soft with a little crisp on the edges, perfectly golden & just the right amount of puff without being cakey. This batch is 100% all of those things. I think I have finally create “THE” recipe & I’m so thrilled to share it with you all.
from kleinworthco.com

Ingredients

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter - room temperature
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg- room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (scooped lightly - not spooned into your measuring cup- just don't pack it in there firmly)
• 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding - not cook & serve
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + more for after baking
• 1 cup white chocolate chips + more for after baking
• 1 cup Valentine M&M's - divided

Preparation

Step 1

In mixer bowl - beat butter, sugar & brown sugar together until fluffy
Add egg & vanilla - beat well
Add in flour, pudding mix, baking soda & salt - slowly stir first & then beat until all ingredients are completely incorporated.
Slowly stir in chocolate & white chocolate chips
Fold in 1/2 the M&M's
Remove beater, cover & refrigerate overnight (extremely important that you do this)
The next day preheat oven to 350 degrees
Roll dough into balls - it will be firm & you will need to press it all together
Place dough balls on baking sheet & bake cookies for 9-12 minutes (mine were perfect at 11)
Remove & immediately top each cookie with a few extra chocolate chips, white chocolate chips & M&M's before they cool.
Leave cookies on baking sheet to cool
Repeat this process with remaining cookies.
I used 3 - 3/4 baking sheets for all these cookies. It's important to not place dough on a hot cookie sheet. Start with a cold cookie sheet with each batch to ensure that the cookies bake consistently.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature