Gifting Half-a-Batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love to gift food. Yesterday morning I got up early, before work, to make chocolate chip cookies for my co-worker Lisa's birthday. Her birthday was last Friday but she took the day off, and then there was the weekend, and then Monday we treated her to lunch but I forgot to bake! So, early yesterday I made a half-batch of chocolate chip cookies, boxed them up, and delivered them to her office. (Note: the box pictured is actually a pie box, ordered from Amazon, perfect for a half-batch of cookies!). 

Previously, I asked Lisa what her favorite baked thing is. She replied that it's chocolate chip cookies. I asked if she liked them crispy or chewy, and she said "I've never met a chocolate chip cookie I didn't like!" Knowing I didn't need to make a full batch to create a nice gift, I halved my regular recipe. Halving this recipe yields about 2 dozen, perfect to fill a gift box or your cookie jar. 

Here's the recipe: 

HALF-BATCH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit 

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper 

Mix together: 

1 softened bar (4 oz.) unsalted butter  (room temperature)

1/2 cup light brown sugar 

1/4 cup granulated sugar 

Whip that together until light and fluffy. 

Add: 

1 egg 

1 tsp. vanilla extract 

Beat well. 

Lightly stir together and add: 

1 cup plus two tablespoons all purpose flour 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt

Stir in:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels 

I use a small cookie scoop but you can use a spoon to distribute about a tablespoon of dough per cookie, about 2-inches apart. I get 12 to a cookie sheet. 

Bake for 8-9 minutes, checking to see that the outer edges are beginning to brown but the centers are just about set - still light in color but no longer wet. Sometimes I add another minute to get there. I bake two cookie sheets at a time. 

Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes and then remove from pans to wire rack to cool completely. 

ENJOY! 

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