Cookie Coma

Before I give you this cookie recipe I need you to repeat something. Parchment Paper is my friend. Next time I bake cookies I'm going to make it easy on myself and use parchment paper. Okay, now that you've repeated that, now we need to make sure we've established some trust. I mean you do trust me, right? I tell you when something doesn't turn out, like lemon gelato. So when I tell you a secret ingredient you are going to trust me, right? If you forget this ingredient, it's okay, but if you add the secret ingredient it will add a depth of flavor you don't get with cookies. People won't be able to pinpoint why they are different and it will make your cookies unique.

ECM's Dark Chocolate and Oatmeal Cookies:

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs (room temp.)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of almond extract (This is the secret ingredient. If you don't have it, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla instead of 1 1/2.)
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 package of dark chocolate chips

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, both sugars, eggs and extracts in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and the dark chocolate chips. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Remember parchment paper is my friend. Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for about 8-9 minutes or until they are done to your liking.

If you are feeling especially evil get some Dolci Frutta (hard chocolate shell) prepare that according to the directions then dip the cookies into the chocolate. Let air dry. Mmm... chocolate dipped cookies. See, I how evil I am, I just made little ol' innocent Cookie Monster fall into a sugar coma!

*brye has just pointed an error that i need to mend. Parchment paper and/or silpats are my friends.