perfect single serving chocolate chip cookies

you know those nights where you’re craving something sweet, but you don’t know exactly what, so you tear apart your kitchen, eating along the way? yes, i’m guilty of this too. every once in a while, you just need a little something sweet. enter: single serving chocolate chip cookies. 

these are so easy to whip up it’s dangerous.

cookies

for two people, this is the perfect evening dessert with a side of netflix and a glass of milk… or wine. no judgement here.

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erfect single serving chocolate chip cookies

ingredients | makes four medium sized cookies (two servings)

  • 2 tablespoons of melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of white sugar
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 egg yolk (save or discard the white)
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons (or more or less) chocolate chips

instructions

  1. preheat your oven to 350 degrees. line a baking sheet with parchment paper for limited clean up. (i’m telling you - i was never a believer in this ‘parchment paper’ stuff, but it is a game changer.)
  2. melt your butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds, until partially melted but not steaming. let the melted butter sit while you do the next step.
  3. mix together your brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt. 
  4. mix in your cooled melted butter.
  5. mix in your egg yolk.
  6. now you can mix in your dry ingredients. mix in the flour and baking soda into your wet mixture.
  7. finally, pour in your chocolate chips to your heart’s content. (who’s counting tablespoons anyway?)
  8. place on lined baking sheet in heaping tablespoon scoops. this should yield you 4 cookies.
  9. bake for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.
  10. enjoy!

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i hope this brings a little bit of sanity to your life when you just need a little bit of something indulgent.

til next time,

xoxo, #chefhaley

easy skinny cheesecake

this cheesecake is by far the most requested item in my house. as in, by my fiancé. but that's okay. i'll gladly oblige, because this cheesecake is a rarity: easy and skinny! say what?!

easyskinnycheesecake

this is my homage to fourth of july - but you can do whatever you'd like! drizzle chocolate or caramel, add whipped cream, more fruit, or all of the above. or even plain for pete's sake. all i'm saying is you need to try this asap!

easy skinny cheesecake

adapted from skinnytaste

ingredients | serves 8

  • cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 tbsp butter, softened
  • 8oz package of reduced fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 6oz fat free vanilla greek yogurt (I use Chobani)
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp all purpose flour
  • toppings of your choice!

instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.
  2. Spray a 9-inch round pan with cooking spray.
  3. Prepare your crust by pulsing the graham crackers and butter in a food processor until fine. Or, buy a premade one from the store and use it. I've done both!
  4. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth using an electric or stand mixer. 
  5. Slowly add in yogurt, egg whites, lemon juice, and flour. Do not over beat! Just until it's smooth, otherwise it will separate.
  6. Pour the mixture over the crust.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Cool to room temperature, then top with berries. Chill for a few hours before serving!

I've made this for friends, work functions, family, and obviously myself over a dozen times over the years, and It's definitely one that i'll use for years to come! the lemon and vanilla are easy ways to add flavor without calories, and the greek yogurt helps keep the richness. it's so delicious, i'm craving it now as i type.

what dessert did you celebrate 4th of july with?

xoxo, #chefhaley