Cookies!

I've been baking cookies since I learned to turn on the oven. Years ago I would try and win over my brother's cool, older friends by making them treats after school. While they were engaging in some "extracurricular activities". It drove him crazy, but I know he loved the snacks all the same. I still bake for my family when given the chance. I came up with this delicious cookie recipe a couple years back, and my step father referred to them as a "Devastator". I figured that was approval enough.
The secret is to use sweetened-condensed milk or half and half. Also, I love to use vanilla bean when available, especially if I'm giving these as a gift. You really can taste the difference. Today I put a sprinkle of Pumkin pie spice in them to add a seasonal touch. You'll see me use this basic recipe all throughout the holidays. Put anything you like in them.

Jessie's Cookie Dough:

*2 sticks Butter (softened) *2 1/4 c unbleached all-purpose flour *1/2 tsp sea salt *3/4 c cane
sugar *1/4 c dark brown sugar *1/2 c lt. brown sugar *1 1/2 t vanilla (or 1/2 scraped bean)
* 2 T sweetened condensed milk or half & half *2 eggs *1 tsp baking powder *1 bag chips

Cream butter and sugar together for 3-4 minutes until really light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Mix eggs and SCM together in a bowl and add slowly while mixing. Stir until completely incorporated. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry mixture 1/4 at a time until well combined. Try not to over mix or the dough will be tough. Add chips, nuts, dried fruit, peppermint bark, etc...you can also substitute other extracts like peppermint, or almond. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. You'll never go simply Toll-house again.