Dark Chocolate Cookies & Drive-Thru Windows

I have come to accept the fact that I am somehow cursed when it comes to the drive-thru widows of restaurants.  I know I mentioned it before in a previous post (don’t ask me which one-I am way too tired  right now to try and figure that out) so I won’t rehash it all.  But to sum up, I almost never get what I order.  That is just the way it is.  I accept it.  My husband has come to accept it.  My friends deal with it.  It is a weird and yet totally normal phenomenon.

A few days ago, it was a chocolate cookie from Panera that I was after.  Lunch, yes, but the cookie was what I wanted more than my next five minutes of air.  I needed that chocolate cookie.  A chocolate cookie that they assured me was in the bag.  A half an hour later, when I arrived at home, it was of course, missing.  My solution?  Besides falling to my knees and throwing my hands to the sky, wailing, “Sweet Mary Mother of all the is good and Holy, WHY?!”  My solution is this cookie.

It isn’t an equal swap out and this cookie is not as thick and hearty as a Panera cookie.  But it is extremely chocolatey and that is what I wanted.  Not a brownie or cake or candy.  Just a rich, chewy, chocolate cookie.  Yeeeeeees!

It may not come as any surprise when I say that this recipe is adapted from Hershey.  Those people know chocolate.  Who am I to second guess them?  And I know there are superior chocolate cookie recipes out there.  For example, I make a Ghiradelli chocolate cookie that has so much melted chocolate in it you have to chill the dough just to be able to portion it out on a pan and bake it.  We are talking serious chocolate overload.  But the beauty of this one is that it mixes up and bakes just like every other drop cookie you would make.  No extra steps.  No extra time to melt anything, chill anything, or roll anything.  Just a lot of cocoa to give in that wonderful richness and flavor without an extra sweetness.  So simple and so good.  And bonus!  You can add just about anything to the batter to customize for any event or craving.  And I think we can all agree that is better than anything that comes through a car window.

One Year Ago: Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies
Two Years Ago: Sweet Potato Biscuits

Dark Chocolate Cookies
Adapted from Hershey
Mix in whatever goodies you like!

2 sticks softened butter
1 c sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c dark cocoa powder-regular is fine
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
In a mixer, combine the first 5 ingredients until well incorporated and creamy.  Add the dry ingredients and combine.  Fold in:
1/2 bag dark chocolate chips
1 c toffee pieces

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a greased or parchment lined sheet pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Be careful!  Do not over bake!  Cool and enjoy!  These freeze great!

Note:  You can make any kind of chocolate cookie here.  Try any or all of these combos!
White Chocolate Chips
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
M&M’s
Reese Pieces
Peanut Butter Chips
Mini Chocolate Chips
Chopped Andes Mints