Can I make chewy chocolate chip cookies with butter powder?

I"m a cookie person.  I  think most deserts are fine, but cookies are my desert.  I am particularly found of chocolate chip cookies.  I like them chewy.  But I have found that is not what every one wants.   I have found that most people like their cookies one of three ways.
Chewy
Puffy
Thin

Which is your favorite?  My husband is also a chewy, my son prefers puffy (him and the old ladies I know), and my daughter prefers thin.

When I started baking with powdered butter chewy chocolate chip cookies were my top priority. Don't worry if you are in one of the other camps stay tuned puffy and thin cookies are coming.

When using butter powder to make cookies there are two things that really make a difference.

1.  Creaming the butter and sugar together takes a LOT longer than you think it should.  Keep creaming until the butter sugar mixture really is creamed not just mixed.

2.  I like to add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.  I think it improves the texture of the cookies.

Recipe:  Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Made with Powdered Butter

1 cup butter powder plus 2 Tablespoons water (or 2 sticks butter)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 2/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1/1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg (1 Tablespoon powdered eggs plus 2 tablespoons water)
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter and sugars in mixing bowl (this will take longer then you expect but it is a vital step, don't stop until it really is creamed) Add egg, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour, salt, and baking soda until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Chill the dough, then scoop onto a parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake for 14 minutes.  Do not over bake. Check cookies ever 5 minutes.  Rotate pans for even browning.  Cool completely and store in an air tight container.

Beat the Heat 12 Minuet Microwave Cake

So this cake is not beautiful but it is tasty

I am teaching my son to cook.  He is 6 and has been helping me in the kitchen since he was tiny.  Right after school got out he asked me to teach him how to cook in the microwave.  So we taught him how to make instant oatmeal, and then I realized that he really wanted to learn how to cook! 

(Rant about teaching children to cook, you can skip to the ***** to see the recipe if you want)

I am so excited.  I feel strongly that one of the my responsibilities I have is to teach my children life skills.  You know how to cook, do laundry, balance a check book, register to vote, buy a major appliance etc.  

When I was in college I was seriously dating a boy (who I did not marry)  and after we had dated for a long time and I had cooked for him a LOT I was leaving to do a semester abroad and he asked that if before I went if I would help teach him how to cook some of the foods I made that he really liked.  I thought that was a great idea.  By this point in the relationship I knew that if I did not cook for him he would eat the same thing every day (and I am not making this up) 

Breakfast:  Cold Cereal (usually Lucky Charms)

 Lunch: Ham Sandwiches (yes everyday)

Dinner: Popcorn (or sometimes waffles but usually popcorn)

Do you notice anything wrong with this menu?   Beside the fact that popcorn alone does not in my book constitute a meal there is a distinct lack of fruits and vegetables. 

So what amazing things did he want to know how to cook? 

Spaghetti: (boil noodles, heat sauce from a can, grate cheese, and assemble)

Burritos: (tortilla, refried beans, cheese, salsa)

Not earth shattering I know. But for him it changed his life.  And the experience changed mine. He was eating terribly not because he was poor (he was) but because he lacked BASIC cooking skills.  I know his sweet mother and honestly I view his lack of cooking skills as a parenting fail on her behalf. (I know I am judgmental, but that is how I feel) His sister who was later my roommate know how to cook but somehow he did not. 

To make this very long story short.  I decided then and there that my sons would know how to cook.  So I am super excited that my son is interested in cooking. 

(*******Okay if you skipped the rant about teaching your kids to cook you can start reading again)

Our first big lesson was today.  He very successfully make 12 minuet microwave cake (with a little help)

12 Minute Chocolate Lemon Yogurt Cake

1    cup frosting (we used lemon curd)

1 chocolate cake mix 

3 eggs

2 cups  yogurt

Spray microwave safe bunt pan with non-stick spray. (NOTE: You may substitute 2-qt microwave safe bowl. Place a microwave safe glass or cup in center of bowl to create a bunt pan. Spray glass and bowl with non-stick spray.)  Spread frosting in bottom of bunt pan.  Combine cake mix, eggs, and yogurt. Beat until smooth, batter will be thick. Spread cake batter in bunt pan; microwave on high, 12 minutes. If microwave is not equipped with an automatic turntable - microwave 3-4 minutes, turn bowl one quarter turn; repeat process until cake is down. If low-wattage microwave is used, cook until done (a toothpick inserted in center should come out clean).

Allow cake to set 5-10 minutes to absorb frosting. Remove glass and invert on serving plate. Serve warm with ice cream. Serves 12

NOTES: Experiment with your favorite cake mixes and frosting flavors for variety. I have substituted sour cream for the yogurt. I have also substituted a 21 oz can fruit pie filling for yogurt and sour cream. Cherry pie filling goes well in chocolate and served up with chocolate ice cream.

Frozen Hot Chocolate-and how to use THRIVE Chocolate Drink Mix

We love hot chocolate.  Every winter I know I need to stock up because my husband and kids drink a TON of it.  But one of our favorite creating is Frozen Hot Chocolate.  Okay we did not come up with the idea, but a while ago Oprah featured it and my Mom found a mix for it and we all tried it.  Well we really like it.  My enterprising husband says "I think I could make that" And he did.  It is really very easy.  Ice, drink mix, water and a blender and you are there.  I have included some info on other ways to use your chocolate drink mix.


Frozen Hot Chocolate
My husband created this recipe a while ago after we tasted the frozen hot chocolate that Oprah made famous a few years ago.   The consistency should be like that of a Wendy’s frosty.
2 cups ice
¼ cup chocolate drink mix
½ cup water

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend well.  Serve.

Other THRIVE Chocolate Drink Mix Recipes:
Hot Coco
To make 1 quart: Add 1 cup Chocolate drink mix powder to 4 cups hot water. Stir well. We usually use our hot chocolate machine. Love it when making hot chocolate for the entire family.

To make 1 cup. Add 2 ½ tablespoons to chocolate drink powder to 1 cup hot chocolate. 

Chocolate Milk:  To make 1 gallon
In a 1 gallon picture, add 3 cup chocolate drink mix to 4 cups very hot water (we usually use boiling). Stir until completely dissolved.  Add enough cold water* to make 1 gallon.  Refrigerate until cold.  Serve cold. 
*If you want to drink it sooner instead of adding cold water add ice to make 1 gallon.

All about THRIVE Chocolate Drink Mix
Shelf Life Sealed Shelf Life    25 years*
Opened Shelf Life            2 years*
*Shelf life based on optimal storage conditions.

Ingredients:
Sugar, whey, non-fat non instant milk, non dairy creamer (coconut oil and/or soya oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate, dipotassium phosphate, mono and diglycerides, soy lecithin), cocoa (processed with alkali), guar and xanthan gums, salt, vitamins A/D blend (Vitamin A Palminate, malodextrin, vitamin D3), natural and artificial flavors.

Dense Dark Chocolate Cake from Easy Cake Mix

For a printable recipe click here: Dense Dark Chocolate Cake from Easy Cake Mix
The texture of this cake is much like pound cake but it is much faster to make and a few less calories.  I like to serve with whipped cream or icecream.
1 cup butermilk *see note
1 extra large egg (or 1 Tablespoon egg powder plus 2 Tablespoons water)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups quick Cake mix
1 /4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1. Preheat oven to 375. Coat a 6 cup bunt pan (not a regular bunt but a small one) with cooking spray.
2. Whisk dry ingredient. Create a well and add wet ingredients.
3. Fold gently do not beat using a large rubber spatula until thick and uniform. It will be stiff and lumpy.
4. Spread into pan. Bake 45 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

*A note about buttermilk.  I used to never have buttermilk, and then my Mom, who is amazingly smart. Told me to buy a large container and freeze it in 1 cup paper cups. To do this put the paper cups on a cookie sheet and fill with a cup of buttermilk each.  Freeze upright. When frozen place all the cups in a freezer bag and store until ready to use.  When ready to use defrost and add to recipe.   The other option is to use clabbared milk. To make clabbered milk add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Allow to sit for 10 minutes and use according to recipe.

Other Recipes that use easy cake mix:
Easy Cake Mix-Using Powdered Butter
Blueberry Crumb Cake