Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate Cookies with White Chocolate Chips                  

1/2 cup butter at room temperature

1/3 cup canola or other oil

2/3 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups flour – I use one cup of whole wheat

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup cocoa

2 cups white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, optional

Beat butter and oil until creamy; gradually add sugars, mixing well.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Stir in vanilla.  Combine flour with next four ingredients, and then add to the butter mixture.  Bake 350E for 12 minutes.

I made these cookies today.  For the cocoa I used some of the Valrhona 100% cacao.  This cocoa powder is said to be one of the best brands.  This is the first I have used the package we bought in Minneapolis this winter in cookies.  I wanted to know if we could tell the difference and if it was by chance worth the extra money. 

I think it is a bit different in taste from the other cocoas I have used.  It is certainly good.  I am not sure my taste buds can tell the difference.  I will buy the cocoa again but it is not a must to have product. 

Notice the large office clip used on the package. This is what our daughter-in-law uses.  They are so much sturdier than the ones in the kitchen section and work very well.  It was an idea worth coping.