Sour Cream Chocolate Cookies

Yield:3 dozen

I came across this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Cookie Madness. The cookies were described as a moist and soft but sturdy cookie with good chocolate flavor. They definitely delivered on the promise! They are wonderfully moist and soft and the chocolate flavor is perfect. These have quickly become one of our favorite all-chocolate cookie recipes and it's also a great way of using up sour cream. They can be customized by adding in different-flavored chips. We like mint chocolate chips or bittersweet chocolate chips the best.

1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup sour cream (full fat) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (or mint chocolate chips)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and both sugars. Beat in the egg, sour cream and vanilla.

3. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add the flour mixgture to the creamed mixture. Stir in the chips.

4. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheets. I like to use a cookie scoop so that I get uniformly-sized cookies.

5. Bake for about 12 minutes - do not overbake.

6. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Variations: Try other flavored baking chips, such as vanilla, peanut butter, mint, or coffee.

There used to be mint chocolate baking chips on the market, but they haven't been in my market for years. To make your own mint chocolate chips, combine chocolate chips and 1/4 tsp peppermint extract in a zip-top plastic bag and shake well. Seal and leave overnight to soak up the flavor.