Knock, knock. Anyone home???

Sorry for the absence from the blog lately.... it's ironic to me that I can't even manage to post a Farming Friday post when we're in the throes of produce season.  It's definitely not for lack of material.  :)

I'll have several posts coming up, and I think I might even go so far as actually writing my Farming Friday posts and scheduling them to publish on Friday.  Gasp!  Me, an IT Specialist, actually using technology??  So, we'll see about that.

Today I am going to share with you my recent obsession.  Chocolate Caramel Cookies.

Oh my.

So, I used to say I didn't like chocolate.  That all changed during our time living in Sydney.  Their chocolate was sooo good.  It was part of the 4 Cs that I blamed for my weight gain while we were there. 

Cappuccino (totally unlike anything we've had in OK.  we can only find it in the odd coffee shop.) 
Chocolate (Lindt with Hazelnuts.  yummmmm)
Cheese (how had I lived to 22 without eating Gouda or Edam before??!!)
Cabernet (really, it was just all the beautiful wine)  :)

Yes.  Seeing that list, it should come as no surprise that this newly married (and physically fit) woman settled in to a lifestyle of enjoying the finer things and ignoring the flabbier things.  hahahaha.  It was all part of making that time so special, so no regrets here!  :)

Ok, so while I still say I don't much like chocolate, I think I need to amend that.  I like only milk chocolate, and in small amounts.  I prefer for there to be nuts if I'm going to be eating it plain, specifically almonds or hazelnuts.  I do like brownies (I am American, after all) and love hot fudge sauce.  Chocolate cake?  No thanks.  Chocolate cookies.  No way. 

Until today.

This cookie dough is enough to convert me.  And, slip in some caramel and I'm hooked.  I'm going to just straight up copy and paste the recipe here, and link to the blog where the recipe originated.  It's so yummy.  I'm not a huge Rolo fan, so I'm considering alternate fillings.  Please let me know if you have ideas!

How can you resist that beautiful picture?

Chocolate Caramel Cookies
recipe makes about 3 dozen
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cups cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (3.2 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 package Rolo’s Chocolate Candies

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugars. Slowly add the eggs and vanilla. Slowly add the pudding mix and mix until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients until well incorporated. Chill the dough for about 30 minutes in the fridge.

Using an ice cream scoop, scoop equal balls of dough and place one rolo in the center of the dough. Cover and roll into a smooth ball. Place cookie dough balls onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Don’t overbake.