Morning of Baking

this morning while the girls were at school, i baked. it was nice to bake for a change while listening to music and not having to answer a zillion questions about what i'm doing. it was very relaxing and fun. i made yet another blueberry and apple loaf for moms and toddlers tomorrow morning. i think this will be my last one for a while. i also made several dozen chocolate chip cookies. i'm also taking these to moms and tots, were having lunch together afterwards tomorrow. we're all bringing our own lunches and something to share with everyone. this batch turned out especially deliciious. we've already eaten quite a few. lately i've been using the recipe out of the Pillsbury's Bake-Off Cookie Book; Shortcutted Prize Winning Favorites from 18 Years of Bake Offs., except i add more chocolate. and here in london you can't get chocolate chips so i've been chopping up chocolate bars, which i think make them even better. here is the recipe.

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips (I've been using 3 200g dark chocolate bars, chopped)

Heat oven to 375 F. In a large bowl combine brown sugar, sugar, butter and shortening; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg. Mix to combine. In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.