2 tbsp cinnamon
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup (50g) + 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
½ cup (105g) light brown sugar, packed
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
2 cups (12oz) milk or semisweet chocolate chips
16oz caramel sauce
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three cookie sheets with parchment paper (or bake in three separate batches). In a bowl, mix together the cinnamon and 1/3 cup granulated sugar – set aside.
In stand mixer, cream remaining sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl as needed.
Add egg and vanilla, mix until combined.
Add the dry ingredients (flour, cream of tartar, salt) and mix until a thick dough forms.
Form cookies into 1 tablespoon balls. Roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. On the cookie sheet, press center with ½ tsp (or thumb) to indent the cookie.
Bake for 7 minutes – if indentation shrinks during baking, gently press to form indent. Move cookies to wire rack for cooling.
Fill the indents with the caramel sauce.
Place the chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in-between until fully melted. Drizzle a layer of chocolate on each of the cookies.
Allow cookies a few hours to set a room temperature. Cookies can also be placed in the refrigerator to expedite the setting process.
These cookies will store, in an airtight container, for up to five days at room temperature. Freezing is not recommended due to the caramel.
The unbaked cookie dough balls can also be stored for up to 2 months in the freezer. When baking from the freezer, allow the dough to come to room temperature (About an hour, or until cookies have enough give to add indent).
40
The smell of bacon hits me as soon as I wake up. The sign of Christmas Eve breakfast being ready. I quickly throw on a t-shirt and sweats, debate brushing my teeth, and ultimately decide to forego it until after breakfast.
A plate is waiting on the counter as I slouch onto a stool. Mom has always put red food dye in the pancakes and green in the eggs to bring a Christmas touch to the meal. Dad had found the green eggs revolting but always put up with it, because he was Dad and she was Mom.
“I was about to wake you. It’s almost eleven! I need to get started on prepping dinner but wanted to feed you breakfast first. Charlie will be here around two-thirty.”
“What time is dinner?”
“Three.”
I dive into my plate, making a beeline to the pancakes. I don’t know what it is about pancakes that I never can get right, that most people don’t get right. The only time I ever truly enjoy pancakes is when I’m out at a restaurant, and when Mom makes them.
“What’s for dinner? Ham?”
“Going a bit fancier this year. Prime rib. Bought a slightly bigger cut, for umm…leftovers. Now, finish your breakfast and get out of my kitchen.”
“You mean my kitchen,” I mutter, finishing the last of my eggs and putting the dish in the dishwasher.
***
