I cannot remember when this tradition started (I was young) but I know who started it...my sister Chris. She would cut out Chocolate Chip hearts (huge ones!) for the family on Valentine’s Day and decades later I am continuing the tradition with my children. It brings me so much joy to bake for others...and the scraps are so yummy they are hard to resist! It’s the simple things that yield the greatest amounts of joy.
Note: I do not take credit for the recipe - it is the Original Toll House Cookie Recipe but as happens with time...I’ve tweaked it a bit!
Spreading the love: Toll House Cookie Pan Hearts
Toll House Cookie Pan Hearts (Takes a little less than an hour start to finish but hands on time is only about a half an hour)
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups of M&Ms or 2 cups of chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl - set aside.
3. In a mixer or large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Gradually add in flour mixture until well blended.
5. Stir in chocolate chips or M&Ms by hand.
6. Line a rimmed 15x10x1 inch (approximately) baking sheet with Parchment Paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
7. Spread dough out as best you can, as evenly as possible.
8. Bake for approximately 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Allow to cool and then use cookie cutters (❤️ shape for Valentine’s Day!) to cut out cookies.
Gift to your loved ones and enjoy the scraps (I love the edges!). Happy Valentine’s Day!
This book was revised in 1983 (originally written in 1980) and I have been using it for the last 35 years....a true treasure that keeps on giving!
