My Vallie Babe

 

I don't know what I did in this life or any other to deserve this. But. My boyfriend's birthday is on Valentine's Day. So while my friends were getting flowers, and chocolates, and jewelry, and romantical dinners, and incessantly posting nauseating status updates such as, "BEST. BOYFRIEND/FIANCE/HUSBAND. EVER.", I was planning a birthday dinner, making sure everything was "perfect", and baking. (Womp womp womp.)

I didn't think I cared about Valentine's Day, but I thought wrong (and I blame you, braggy Facebook status updater.) So we talked it out. The solution? His birthday will remain on the 14th (it would have been a little messy to modify all of the legal documents), and our day will be on the 17th. He wanted the 12th. But that day has already passed. And I'm not waiting 362 more days. Okay. No more crazy lady ranting, I promise. From here on out, only love. And butter. And chocolate. And cookies disguised as cakes. 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake 

adapted from allrecipes.com 

Ingredients

1 cup butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup white granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 + 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup nuts, toasted and chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Disperse the nuts evenly on a sheet pan and bake for 7 - 10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Chop once cooled.

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, both sugars, and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg.

On low speed, slowly incorporate the flour, salt, and baking soda to the sugar mixture.

Then, add the chocolate chips.

And the nuts.

From this point on, you can use whatever size baking pan you have handy, you will just have to adjust your baking time. (I used an 8-inch non-stick round baking pan.) Grease your baking pan and evenly spread the dough into the pan. If using an 8-inch pan, bake at 375 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes, or until golden brown and your cake springs back when you lightly touch the center. Let cool on a cooling rack. Once cool, decorate as desired. Serve with ice cream and let the celebration begin!

Happy Birthday, my Vallie Babe! x