Smoky Double Chocolate Chipotle Cookies

I came across a recipe for Double Chocolate Chipotle Cookies recently, and I really wanted to try them out because I really love chipotle!  But....I don't really love the idea of having spicy cookies.  I like a bit of spice, but not burn your mouth can't taste your food anymore spicy.  But I still wanted to have the smoky flavor in the cookies.  I decided to add smoked paprika for that smoky flavor, and a touch less of the chipotle powder to reduce the heat factor.  I think we have a winner!  These cookies are super soft and so chocolatey with a hint of smoke and just a little heat at the end.  Note: For a spicier or smokier cookie, add more chipotle powder or smoked paprika.

Smoky Double Chocolate Chipotle Cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1/4-1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (depending on how much heat, I used 1/4)
1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well blended.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla until incorporated.  Add the flour, cocoa powder, dark cocoa powder, chipotle powder, paprika, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and beat until just combined.  Beat in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

Scoop the dough into tablespoon size balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten the tops of the dough balls very slightly.  Bake for about 8 to 9 minutes, or until just set in the center.  Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy

Easy Crock Pot Dinner

My little brother, Maestro, is finally down in Utah with me and we've been cookin' like crazy! It has been so fun to hang out with him and plan various meals together. We have been thinking of doing a completely crock pot meal for a few weeks now, since our mom gave us both crock pots this summer. It's been a crazy weekend, though--antique shopping, going to Swiss days, going on dates...--so I didn't have time to run to the store and pick up supplies, so we just threw together a few things together that I had. The result was still delicious and super simple! You can substitute any kind of meat and/or vegetable in place of what we did, and tailor it to yourself.

1 lb Deer Meat
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 C Frozen Peas
4 Small-Medium Potatoes, peeled and halved
1 Bell Pepper, chopped
1/4 C Water
Salt
Pepper
Chipotle Powder

1. Place meat, potatoes, bell pepper, and peas in the crock pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. In a medium bowl combine cream of mushroom soup and chipotle powder (I used about a teaspoon) and water. Pour into crock pot.

3. Set crock pot to low for about 6 hours, until meat is done and potatoes are soft.

Mahlzeit!
-Coriaunty