Irish Chocolate Chip Cookies Will Bring a Smile to Your Face (product Review and Giveaway)

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this product, free of charge, from Nielsen-Massey,via Wilks Communication, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it


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I don't know about you, but one of the fondest memories I have from childhood is making Chocolate Chip Cookies with my Mom! 

So even though Mother's day was this past Sunday, I wanted to give her a shout out, 
as today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day?


Chocolate chip cookies are America’s favorite cookies to bake and share, and the sweet, creamy flavor of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract makes them into chewy, bakery-style chocolate chip cookies that you remember from your childhood! 

For a twist on the classic favorite, here are a few ways to make the basic cookie recipe unique to you:
  • Switch the chips: Instead of using 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips, try using white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or a combination of all three. Using coarsely chopped baking chocolate instead of chips will add a gourmet feel to the recipe.
  • Make it nutty: Try adding 1 cup of coarsely chopped nuts to the batter. Pecans or walnuts are a classic addition, while macadamia nuts or pistachios add a bit of a nontraditional flair.
  • Salt the tops: Baked goods aren’t just about the sugar; salt amplifies the flavors in even the sweetest recipes. Sprinkle the tops of your cookies with coarse sea salt just before baking to bring out the flavors of the brown sugar and chocolate in this recipe. Try using a smoked sea salt for an extra-special touch.
  • Build a sandwich: Pair this recipe with your favorite ice cream flavor for the perfect ice cream sandwich, or spread them with buttercream frosting for a cookie sandwich treat. Use a peanut butter frosting for that classic chocolate and peanut butter combination that everyone loves.

I opted to go with something a bit different than even those suggestions!


irish chocolate chip cookies

What makes them 'Irish' you ask?

Because Miss Grace, who was missing her 2 front teeth at the time kept saying "I wish you would add.....to the cookies", when I asked her what she wanted to add to the recipe. Only it came out as "Irish you would add...."  and an idea was born!

This recipe has TWO versions- one for kids, and one or adults. 
Because, well, you know, sometimes we need a treat JUST for us adults! LOL

Irish Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon pink sea salt
1- 1/2 cups Crunchy Granola, your choice- I used 2 packs of this cereal in Cranberry/Almond blend
1 cup chocolate chips (I mixed semi-sweet and milk chocolate ones)
Optional:  2 tbsp flax seeds

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Beat the butter, coconut oil, sugar and brown sugar at medium speed with in an electric mixer, until blended. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Set aside.
3, Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and sea salt. Add to the creamed mixture in mixing bowl, and mix well. your dough will be cocoa brown in color when you start and end up a light tan, when properly mixed.

irish chocolate chip cookies dough

4. Stir in cereal and chips to your mixture.
5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet, or one prepared with parchment paper (my preferred method for cookies that might spread, like those with coconut oil in them!)

irish chocolate chip cookies before baking

6. bake cookies for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes, before removing to cooling rack.
7. Cookies should be stored in air tight container to keep freshness.


If you want to make the ADULT version of these cookies, perfect for a date-night, continue on:

Irish Hard Sauce Glaze:

  Ingredients:

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup Irish Whiskey (this one preferred, but you can use what you have on hand)
2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Pour sugar and HALF of the whiskey into small saucepan. Heat to boiling over high heat, and boil rapidly for one minute. 
2. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter.
3. Whisk in remaining whiskey.
4. Let pan sit to allow sauce to thicken, about 1-2 minutes.

irish chocolate chip cookies with hard sauce


5. Spoon or drizzle over cooled cookies. Allow to harden, about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Note: The adult version is delicious crumbled up over vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce, or some of the remaining Irish Hard Sauce!


I hope you're intrigued enough to give both recipes a try!


nielsen-massey vanilla

Giveaway:

Now one lucky BTHM reader will get to win their own bottle of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Vanilla!


Thanks for reading this post and entering the giveaway!

Comments

  1. Think I would love to try this Pure Almond Extract from Nielsen-Massey would get used a lot here.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would like the Pure Almond Extract.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Lemon Extract would be lovely. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would get the Pure Chocolate Extract. Cheryl Abdelnour cjabdelnour@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'd like the chocolate extract. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would also love to try the Pure Lemon Extract.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like to add almond extract to my baking too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would choose the Pure Almond extract if I had a choice.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I left a comment here: http://blesstheirheartsmom.blogspot.com/2014/05/baby-mantra-is-your-solution-to-allergy.html?showComment=1400382057234#c8864322127139193669

    ReplyDelete
  10. I too would first want the Almond, then the Peppermint.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I left a comment here: http://blesstheirheartsmom.blogspot.com/2014/05/book-review-one-and-only-by-emily-giffin.html?showComment=1400543423856#c7654035697296121736

    ReplyDelete
  12. We love to make home made chocolates especially during the Holidays. I would love to try the Pure Coffee Extract the most because we have never made the coffee flavor before and I'd like to try to make coffee flavored chocolates to see if we like this one for a new flavor. Thanks for sharing Nielsen-Massey Fine Vanilla and Flavors with us.

    ReplyDelete

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