Treats

Nesting in progress!
Here's a recipe I can't keep to myself.....

THE ULTIMATE M & M COOKIES

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2-1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Lots of M & M's (dark chocolate if you can find them!)- at least 1/2 pound- I use a whole 14oz bag! (or chocolate chips)

You need an electric mixer for these to come out perfectly. Combine the two sugars. Add the butter and beat until light and fluffy (this step is very important, and could take about 5 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beat first on low speed, then on high speed until completely incorporated (not "curdled"). Add the vanilla and beat again on low, then high.

Add the flour mixed with baking soda and salt in 2-3 batches. After each addition, beat on low until incorporated, then on high for a few seconds to fluff it up. You end up with a very fluffy batter. Fold in M&M's or chocolate chips. If the batter is too loose, you can add a little more flour, or refrigerate. Drop by tablespoonful onto cookie sheet (I roll them in my hands into balls so they melt into perfect circles).

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 8 minutes. Take them out when they just start to turn brown. This way they will be crispy on outside and chewy on inside.

**Make ahead: First time I made these, I froze them in 4 separate batches. They lasted a month before I made them all. Second time, I rolled the cookie balls then froze them on a cookie sheet for an hour then slid them in a freezer bag. Instant cookie satisfaction when the mood for "a few" strikes! Best of all, you can use the toaster oven so the whole house doesn't heat up. Bake from frozen, just keep an eye on out so you don't burn them.

*Consume immediately! or else store them in an airtight container
(with plastic wrap pushed against them so the don't turn into little bricks).