Cookies for Two

A snowy day calls for fresh-baked cookies, especially with Christmas around the corner. This recipe is simply a smaller version of my "classic" chocolate chip cookies (adapted from the Original Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe). You will end up with about five cookies instead of almost four dozen. A perfect way to warm up after shoveling snow!

Chocolate Chip Cookies for Two
Makes 5 3-inch cookies

2 T. unsalted butter, softened
2 T. brown sugar
1 T. raw sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4 t. vanilla
1/4 c. flour
1/4 t. baking soda
pinch of salt
chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350° and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.

Blend butter and sugars in a bowl with a fork. Stir in yolk and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt and stir until well combined. Fold in a handful of chocolate chips, M&M's, or other chocolate candy.

Drop by rounded tablespoon or ice cream scoop onto baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 8-11 minutes until golden brown. Let cookies cool for 2 minutes before removing. 

Apple Crumb Pie

This season of apple picking was the best yet! The Stayman Winesaps were the darkest shade of maroon I have seen in three years. My first batch of apple butter is on the shelves, and my appled brandy and apple-spiced whiskey are busy getting sweeter and spicier for the holidays. With Thanksgiving around the corner and fall color at its peak, it felt like an apple pie kind of weekend. Feeling the need for something new, I made an easy change to my Classic Apple Pie recipe.

The result resembles the so-called "Dutch Apple Pie" with a streusel topping: flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Using oats and nuts in this crumb topping resulted in a crumb slightly less sweet than usual. "Less sweet?!" Don't worry, with this pie less sweet is better. It's like the most delicious apple cinnamon oatmeal ever made. In other words, eat this pie for breakfast.

Apple Crumb Pie
Makes one 9 inch pie

Follow the pie recipe here, using only a bottom crust.

Crumb Topping
for one 9 inch pie

3/4 c. flour (white or whole wheat)
3/4 c. oats (barley, wheat, or rye)
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
1 t. cinnamon
pinch of salt
6 T. cold butter

Stir together flour, oats, sugar, nuts, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter with fingers until butter is pea-sized. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the pie. Bake as directed.