Black Lava Cookies from Colleen

Black Lava Cookies

Makes 36 large cookies 

2 cups butter softened

2 cups white sugar

2 cups light brown sugar, packed

4 large eggs

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ cups dutched cocoa powder 

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder*

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk chocolate chips

2 cups dark chocolate chips

Cream the butter and the sugars.  Add the eggs and the vanilla and blend.  Add the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt and mix well.  Add in the chocolate chips.

Scoop onto parchment-covered baking sheets with large cookie scoop.  Slightly press down on tops of cookie dough balls.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 minutes until set. 
Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet.

*If you use natural cocoa (not dutched/not European) use baking soda instead of baking powder.

You can substitute/add in other kinds of chocolate chips, nuts, Reeses mini PB cups, etc, as you prefer.  Cookies have a nice chewy, fudgy texture.  

—-Colleen

Frosted Maple Bars by Colleen

Tastes like a Maple Donut

UPDATED 2019
I made these after visiting Charlotte in Maine where maple flavored items are common, and realizing that I have been gifted many bottles of good maple syrup that were languishing in my pantry. Tastes like a maple donut, but has the consistency of a soft shortbread 
----Colleen

Tom wanted to know if maple extract is necessary.  Colleens says:  I do use maple extract because I find the maple flavor does not come through as much as l like with just the maple syrup.  I will also say that when I made up the recipe, I went with what some might consider an EXCESSIVE amount of frosting.  One does end up with about a 1:1 ratio of cookie to frosting.  You could probably safely cut the frosting in half and still have plenty.  This cookie is super popular with some people - not everyone loves maple, but people/kids who do, love this.  It’s a big favorite with the kiddos at school. 
I often double the recipe.   

Maple Bar

Makes 16-20  

But often I cut them in different sizes: little ones for nibbles and some big ones for serious sugar rush

Cookie:

½ cup butter, softened (1 stick)

1 egg

½ cup good quality maple syrup

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon maple extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

Frosting:

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)

3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (may need more)

¼ cup good quality maple syrup

½ teaspoon maple extract

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch of salt

Cream the butter and brown sugar.  Blend in the egg, flavorings and syrup.  Add the dry ingredients and cream together.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan with baking spray, and spread the cookie dough evenly in the pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool.

While bars are baking, mix together the ingredients for the frosting.  If it seems too soft, add in another ½ cup of powdered sugar.  When the cookies are COMPLETELY cool, spread the frosting.  Cut and serve.  I store the bars in the fridge and bring them to room temperature to serve (although perfectly fine eaten directly from fridge).

---Colleen