A RAINY ENGLISH AFTERNOON & THE BEST CHOCOLATE-CHIP COOKIE RECIPE EVER

It's just after Christmas, and just before New Year's - the 'in-between' week of the holidays when kids are still on their school break and my husband & I like to make a trip to the UK to visit his family here and spend some quality time with my step-kiddos. 

As is often the case in England, most days it's raining & cold outside - so, our quality time tends to be spent indoors. DVD marathons, Lego-build-a-thons, drawing, reading, and (my personal favorite) baking.  Today we baked what I dare say are the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER. Crunchy on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside, these cookies go perfectly with a good cuppa' tea.

RECIPE FOR THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES EVER:
(Yields 2 Dozen Cookies)

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, then chocolate chips. Drop by large spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
3. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year - and Happy Baking! Enjoy!!

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