Christmas Food Archives - mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents

Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole

October 21, 2021 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

I’m thrilled to be partnering with Market Street to highlight features, deals and more each month especially this recipe for Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole! #MarketStreetTX

When I was growing up, Sunday dinner was always a special occasion with a big meal like roast, ham or meatloaf with all the fixings. Now as an adult, I try to still make sure Sundays are spent with the family. And when possible, I try to make the dishes that also mean a lot to me with a few twists of my own. One of those is this Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole.

Most people fall into two categories: those who love brussel sprouts and those who hate them. I actually fell into the later group until a few months ago when I fell in love. After a trip to Slowbone BBQ in Dallas, I bit into their sell-out side, Cauliflower-Brussel Sprout Gratin, and couldn’t get enough. But I thought I could make it even better by adding broccoli and more cheese (there’s never such thing as too much cheese) to create my idea of the perfect side dish. So for special days like Thanksgiving or a Sunday dinner, this dish is the consummate side dish that you’ll trade your last dinner role or dessert to have just one more creamy bite.

It would be fitting that I would get all the ingredients together and forget the most important ingredient, the heavy cream! But no worries, where there is a will, there is a way and a substitute!

This dish it a combination of creamy cheese, the ultimate trio of veggies and little crunch that will keep you coming back for more…and more.

Brussels Sprout, Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole

Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Inspired by a great recipe at Slow Bone BBQ in Dallas, I added a little something extra with broccoli and white cheddar.

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (or heavy cream alternative)
1/3 cup chopped shallots
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
1 medium head of broccoli, trimmed and cut into small (1-inch) florets
1 1 medium head of cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small (1-inch) florets
1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese (divided use)
1 cup white cheddar, cut into small (1-inch) cubes
Salt, pepper and white pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 F.
Combine cream, shallots and sage in large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Brown bread crumbs (about 2 minutes) then transfer to a bowl to cool. Stir in parsley.
Arrange equal mix of of vegetables in the buttered baking dish (13×9 or larger). Then add 1 cup of cubed white cheddar.
Arrange remaining vegetables over the first layer. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Pour cream mixture evenly over the vegetables.
Cover the pan with foil and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Remove foil from casserole; sprinkle evenly with toasted bread crumbs.
Bake uncovered 15 minutes or until bread crumbs are browned.

Another item you want to make sure you have on the list is the right cookware. There’s just something about pulling whatever you’re making out of the oven and placing it on the table to share with the family as they share conversation over dinner and making memories. I remember what my grandma’s stuffed peppers smelled liked, taste like and looked like when she lifted the lid off the casserole dish. For this dish, I used both the white 7.9 inch Round Casserole with a lid and the 15.3 inch Rectangular Roaster.

Family dinners also mean a lot to Market Street, which is why they offer for a limited time a chance to create your own family dinner memories with your own set of great bakeware and cookware from Lodge. Founded in 1896 by Joseph Lodge, and still owned and managed by the descendants of the Lodge Family, Lodge Manufacturing is one of America’s oldest cookware companies. Right now until January at Market Street you can earn one e-sticker for every qualifying $10 they spend towards your own collection of Lodge Ware. By tracking your e-stickers on your receipt, when you have collected the required number of e-stickers, you can select your desired cookware or bakeware! Just give your Rewards account number to the cashier at checkout to redeem your FREE item.

What a great gift idea as well for the holidays or use the dish to take to a family dinner with every intention to leave it as a thank you gift!

Not a member of the Market Street Rewards Program? Sign up now to begin collecting your e-stickers online or on your own free Market Street app.

Make an entire meal anytime of the year with these recipe ideas from top bloggers using Lodge Wear available for free from Market Street!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Holiday Main Dish Meatballs

Easy Taco Soup

Scents of the Holidays: Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ Cake

November 14, 2020 By Autumn Rose Reo 4 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GladeHolidayMood #Collective Bias #Ad

Depending on what time of the year you come to my house, there’s a delicious smell that takes you over as soon as you open the door.

At the holidays it’s the absolute best with aromas of fresh baked cookies right out of the oven or hot, simmering apple cider.

Unfortunately, I’m not normally hard at work in the kitchen, although I want you to think so.

However, there’s nothing better at this time of the year and to give you that warm and fuzzy feeling than a smell that reminds you of good memories with friends and family.

According to a recent study, the connection between the amygdala, which process emotions, and your olfactory glands will spark nostalgic experiences.

Remember when you hosted the cookie exchange with all your girlfriends and you bit into the best cookie ever?

Or the year you all spent hours making the gingerbread house, but ran out of the candy before you were done with the roof?

Then there was the time you spent hours decorating the tree to the sounds of Michael Buble until after midnight in your sweats?

While this time of the year is also the busiest with work, decorating the house for the holidays, and Christmas shopping and of course, Christmas cooking, you don’t need to be so entrenched that you don’t spend time enjoying the point of the season, spending it with loved ones.

So when someone drops by or you want to at least LOOK like you’ve been slaving for hours over the stove, here’s a super recipe that smells like Christmas, looks like Christmas and even tastes like Christmas. For me Christmas smells like a mix of juicy apples, spicy cinnamon and hints of vanilla.

Don’t you just wish you could taste it?

You can!

Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ Cake

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Ingredients

Scale

1 cup apples (one kind or various), peeled, cored and diced
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar + 1 Tablespoon
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup pecans

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Sprinkle the baking soda and 1 Tbsp. sugar over the apples and set aside.
In a bowl, thoroughly blend the two sugars together.
Next, add the cinnamon, cloves, flour and pecans to make the sugar mixture.
Then stir in the eggs, vanilla, and butter.
Pour into a greased 13 X 9 pan and bake for 40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Serve with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce or by itself.

With Glade’s® Limited Edition Winter Collection, you can celebrate the season with these holiday fragrances that I found at Kroger. For my Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ Cake, I was inspired by Glade’s® Apple Cinnamon Cheer. Finally, with this recipe you can actually taste what Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ tastes like.

Available as candles, wax melts, premium aerosols and PlugIns®, you can have your winter fragrance how you want it, any way you want it throughout the season.

Sparkling Spruce™

Feel the snow crunch under your boots as you join your friends for the tree lighting in the town square. Hints of frosty pine and evergreen fragrance fill the air, along with a wonderful sense of anticipation.

Hints of: Green Pine Needle, Spruce, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Cedar Leaf, and Patchouli.

Merry Citrus Melody

The annual holiday pageant offers one of the season’s many highlights. Gather with friends and family to sing songs of good cheer and share the most cherished music of the season.

Hints of: Mandarin, Aldehyde Snowflakes, Clove, Golden Amber, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

Apple Cinnamon Cheer™

Fill your cup with holiday cheer! Cinnamon-kissed hot apple cider warms you, body and soul, as you take an exhilarating sled ride across new-fallen snow.

Hints of: Apple Cider, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Clove, Vanilla, Cream and Woods.

Frosted Cookie Party™

Delightfully decorated treats are the order of the day at the yearly cookie exchange. The air is rich with wholesome baked aromas, along with laughter and cheerful conversations with your closest friends.

Hints of: Vanilla Bean, Whipped Icing, Toasted Marshmallow, Layered Cake and Spice.

Gingerbread Jingle™

If there’s ever a time to indulge, it’s at the holiday bake sale. Everyone’s brought wonderful recipes of baked family favorites, and the sweet scent of gingerbread greets you at every turn.

Hints of: Candied Ginger, Nutmeg, Black Cardamom, Cinnamon, Marzipan, Hazelnut, Brown Sugar, Gingerbread and Warm Molasses.

Mocha & Chestnuts

The sights and sounds of the holiday market treat your senses to pure holiday magic. Take a stroll through snow-blanketed booths filled with handcrafted toys, fresh roasted chestnuts and chocolate creations.

Hints of: Mocha, Cardamom, Buttermilk, Caramel Toffee, Almond, Nutmeg, Gingerbread, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla, Cinnamon and Bread Pudding.

Hot Cocoa & Mint

A spin around the local ice rink becomes an afternoon of frosty family fun. And the perfect way to finish it off? Warm up to a mug of rich, hot cocoa with a delightful hint of mint.

Hints; Peppermint, Crisp Spearmint, Cocoa, Pine, Marshmallow, Dark Chocolate, Coconut, Sugar and Candy Cane.

Under the Mistletoe

One of the sweetest sensations of the season—snuggling up closely with your sweetheart. Steal a kiss under the mistletoe, as the scent of fresh berries treats you to an unforgettable holiday memory.

Hints of: Sugared Strawberries, Cherry, Pink Grapefruit, Cranberry, Raspberry and Garland Greens.

What Glade® Winter Collection fragrance sounds perfect for your holiday?

Make Ahead Holiday Brunch Ideas

December 20, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 3 Comments

Make Christmas memorable and don’t miss it making brunch when you can do it before! Here are our Make Ahead Holiday Brunch Ideas!

I love the feeling of waking up on Christmas Day with your loved ones and enjoying the fun of opening gifts in your PJs.

While you want the morning to be memorable, no one wants to get stuck in the kitchen creating the perfect Christmas breakfast.

So here’s a few tried and true make-ahead recipes I shared on Good Morning Texas that will make your any holiday morning easy, memorable and mouth-watering.

Make Ahead Holiday Brunch Ideas

Make Ahead Christmas Morning Casserole

Mini Spinach Quiches

Junior League of Arlington’s The Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake

Easy Mocha Punch

For more information about the Junior League of Arlington’s Holiday Magic, visit http://www.jlarlington.org.

Jingle Berry Juice

December 10, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 17 Comments

Put a little joy in your holiday with this Jingle Berry Juice punch the whole family can enjoy.

I have sincere fear of FOMO (yep, that’s fear of missing out.) And when it comes to the holidays I don’t want to miss out on ANYTHING.

Whether it’s the cookies, cakes, cocktails or whatever thing being served, I want to taste a bite of it. Especially at the holidays. It’s that one time of the year we don’t try to just make it good, we want to make it the BEST.

However, I don’t always want to indulge, but I do want to partake. Especially when it comes to drinks during the Christmas season, it’s normally loaded – on something extra creamy or extra adultlike with rum, whiskey, wine or champagne.

While this girl loves her bubbles, I wanted to make a special festive concoctions that the parents would love and the kids could also enjoy together. Remembering a trick from my maternity days, adding a sparkling water to any juice blend would give it just the “kick” to make it fun to enjoy when others around me may have had other bubbles in their glass.

Taking the opportunity to be festive and jolly – I picked up my new favorite DASANI Sparkling Water in Berry from Walmart along with raspberry sherbet, cranberry juice and orange juice to create Jingle Berry Juice. Just as much fun to say as it is to drink, everyone is able to get in the spirit without having any added spirits!

With no time needed to create this concoction, you can concentrate on the other things that make the holidays special – like spending time with your friends and loved ones. (And you’ll still pull off making yourself look like you worked on your shindig for days!)

Plus with zero calories, unsweetened, zero artificial colors, and caffeine-free, DASANI is the ideal mixer for the holidays – including brunch, girls’ night out, or a family get together. And in Lime, Berry, Lemon, Black Cherry 12-packs, everyone on your list, naughty or nice, will have their favorite flavor on hand.

Jingle Berry Juice

Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com

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Description

Put a little jingle in your juice! Celebrate the holidays with an easy holiday juice that the whole family can enjoy!

Ingredients

Scale

2 quarts of cranberry juice cocktail
6 cups raspberry sherbet, softened
2 cups orange juice
3 cans Dasani sparkling water, berry flavored
Optional – frozen sugared cranberries

Instructions

In a large container like a pitcher or punchbowl, combine the first 3 ingredients. Top with sparking water and serve.

Notes

This recipe is super for the holidays to drink for any time of the day!

Need more ideas to put more jingle in your holiday party menu?

Check out this Pinterest board – https://www.pinterest.com/thepinningmama/easy-party-drink-recipes – full of drink ideas sure to make you #1 elf this season!

Tres Leches Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Whip

November 27, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 24 Comments

What’s is your Christmas tradition? Toast to Santa with this Tres Leche Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Whip for the creamiest way to fiesta.

Thank you to Nestlé® for helping to make the holidays a little extra special and this sponsored post #JuntosConNestle.

Through the years our holiday traditions have changed.

When I was a little girl Christmas lasted for weeks it seemed, traveling to one of my grandma’s or my aunt’s house, enjoying a huge meal and of course, opening presents.

But it wasn’t just what we did at the holidays together – it was the smells, the tastes, and of course, the sounds of laughter that still permeate my memories.

As I have gotten older, there have been fewer holiday stops to be made. I was lucky to celebrate a few of them with my children and that maybe, just maybe they’ll remember the same things I did at grandma’s – like the way it smelled when she was cooking, the cackles she made when a joke was super funny, or grandpa’s special hiding place for his chocolate we’d all sneak a piece throughout Christmas.

However, one of my favorites is the experience of the perfect hot chocolate on Christmas. And not that stuff you get in the envelope either. This is the creamy, perfect taste of hot cocoa that Santa Claus would almost come back for if he could. My mother would spend time making hot chocolate and I never knew why she went to so much time to make it but was always thankful that she did once it was cool enough to put my lips to the mug.

It’s exactly how Christmas morning was meant to be enjoyed – including the tearing up of beautiful Christmas presents, lots of kisses and hugs, and of course, sipping rich hot chocolate with just a little bit of cream on your nose.

Now as an adult, I realize good hot chocolate can’t be quick. Like most of Christmas, it’s about the love and time you put into that will be realized only when you stop to savor what you put into it. Like a tres leches cake that layers different milks to make one of the most delectable cakes ever with ingredients you can find in your pantry.

However, at the holidays, we always stock up at Walmart for items like Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk. It’s like a little miracle throughout the season when you run out of milk, want to make a rich gravy just like grandma or when you want the creamiest hot chocolate, just like this Tres Leche Hot Chocolate. And it wouldn’t be complete without homemade whipped cream (and a little bit of cinnamon and spice to make your holiday nice!

Did you know what evaporated milk is?
Basically it’s unsweetened milk without about 60% of the water removed so it’s shelf stable and takes far less product to use for recipes with milk.

But of course, this recipe don’t just use Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk, but milk, heavy cream, and Nestlé® Le Lachera® sweetened condensed milk. Now that’s the secret to creamy hot chocolate.

And maybe one other little something: cinnamon! Using cinnamon (and a little nutmeg) in the cocoa as well as the whipped cream gives it that unique taste that adds not just another layer to your Christmas but also makes it a cut above any cocoa you’ve ever had. (And if you’re up for it, add a little ancho or chile powder on the whip for even more spice!)

Whether you sit around the fire or just want to add something special to your holiday storytime, this hot cocoa recipe with Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk is the last cocoa you’ll ever make – and keep you coming back for more.

Just make sure to take the time to enjoy making it as much as you do sipping it later. That’s the real secret to this recipe (and the holidays.)

Tres Leches Hot Cocoa with Cinnamon Whip

Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com

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Description

Toast to Santa with this Tres Leche Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Whip for the creamiest way to fiesta.

Ingredients

Scale

Cocoa
1 cup milk
1 can Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk
⅛ heavy cream
⅛ Nestlé® La Lechera® condensed milk
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ tablespoon nutmeg
Cinnamon Whip
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar (use as needed)
1 tablespoon vanilla
Cinnamon
Ancho or Chipotle Chile Pepper (optional)
Chocolate shavings

Instructions

Combine all the cocoa ingredients together and stir over medium heat until warm and melted. Remove cinnamon stick.
For the whipped cream, using a chilled bowl, beat whipping cream with hand mixer until stiff, adding vanilla and sugar to your liking. Serve over hot chocolate and dust with cinnamon, chocolate shavings and spices (optional.)

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2
Calories: 1560
Sugar: 63
Sodium: 366
Fat: 125
Saturated Fat: 77
Unsaturated Fat: 41
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 86
Protein: 26
Cholesterol: 395

Raspberry Chipotle Cocktail Weenie Wreath

November 14, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 18 Comments

Forget cookies…Santa’s looking for this holiday hors d’oeuvres under tree. This new party favorite takes the best of both for the best app: Raspberry Chipotle Cocktail Weenie Wreath.

[Read more…]

Best Damn Chicken and Waffles Casserole

December 22, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

Chicken and waffles gets even better when it goes casserole! And with one sweet ingredient, you’ll be saying THIS IS the best damn chicken and waffles casserole.

I remember the first time I heard about chicken and waffles I was like…what? That doesn’t sounds good? Why is everyone freaking out about chicken and waffles?

…Then I had it.

Then I understood.

There’s something about the sweetness, the crunch, and the little bit of spice, sandwiched together into one perfect bite.

Yep, I like it…

But to time the fresh golden fluffy waffles at the same time as hot fried chicken is a little difficult and way more time consuming than I’m willing to put forward (or at least have time to!)

So in true #mamachallenge form, it was time to look to the world of semi-homemade and put it all together into one dish for a bigger dish of happiness.

Frozen waffles to the rescue!

Cooking everything together into Chicken and Waffles Casserole not only makes it easier on making, but also serving! And since you can make this in advance, this casserole is ideal for big breakfast/brunch moment like Christmas or when you really want to make an impression.

However, the impression really gets better when the chicken hits the tastebuds. One of our favorite chicken spots is hands down Chick-Fil-A. If you’ve had it, you know – it’s that good. There’s something about CFA and any drive by the eatery with lines of folks parked double-laned around the joint will verify – their chicken is THAT good. While I don’t know what makes it take like what dreams are made of, inspired by the sweetness of their chicken, we added powdered sugar to our breading, along with a little spice to cinch the deal on this chicken and waffles casserole.

Oh man, it’s THAT GOOD.

Best Damn Chicken and Waffles Casserole

★★

2 from 1 reviews

Author: Autumn Reo, mamachallenge.com

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Description

The best of both worlds come together for the Best Damn Chicken and Waffles.

Ingredients

Scale

Nonstick cooking spray
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
9 large eggs
2 3/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup powdered sugar
8 frozen waffles, cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups milk
Serve with maple syrup

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with the cooking spray.
Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces.
Mix together the flour, powdered sugar, chilli powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
Beat 3 eggs in a shallow bowl.
Place the panko breadcrumbs into a third shallow bowl.
Toss the chicken in the flour to coat, then dip into the egg, and then place in the panko, turning to coat. Place onto the prepared baking sheets and repeat with the rest of the chicken.
Spray the chicken with the cooking spray then bake, turning the chicken over halfway through, for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside.
Grease an 8×13 inch baking dish.
Add half of the cubed waffles in a single layer.
Top with half of the chicken and 1/2 of the cheese then layer the remaining waffles and chicken and cheese.
Whisk together 6 eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until combined.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the chicken and waffles.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or refrigerate overnight and bake the next day.

Notes

If you really want crispy chicken quick, you can opt to deep fry the chicken instead of baking!

Best Dallas Bloggers Online Holiday Cookie Exchange

December 9, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 4 Comments

A holiday cookie exchange is the ideal way at the holidays to reconnect with friends while stocking up on your own buffet of cookies! While I’ve hosted many exchanges, large and small, over the years, I think there are only a few guidelines to hosting the best cookie exchange. However, if you want the real lowdown on how to hand to do it by the book I suggest you the official website for cookie exchanges.

Unfortunately, as busy as many of my friends are, we decided to host an online cookie exchange featuring the tastiest recipes from some of the best bloggers in Dallas.

Since I am talking Dallas, you have to include the infamous Neiman Marcus cookie. If you’ve ever heard the myth, there was a woman who ate lunch at one of Dallas’ legendary luxury retailer. She enjoyed eating the cookie so much, she asked for the recipe. However, when she finally got her credit card bill that month she saw she had been charged $250 for the recipe. So out of revenge, she shared the recipe with everyone.

Neiman Marcus says it didn’t happen, however, the folklore is so popular, even they have put the story on their website. Funny enough I’ve actually come across multiple recipes for “the official” NM cookie recipe. However, I’ve tracked down the real one recipe – at least the one that NM claims to be the original. While basically a chocolate chip cookie recipe, it’s the special espresso powder that really give it the special something that makes you understand why you’d also pay $250 for a recipe…

Neiman Marcus Cookies {Real Recipe}

Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1x

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Description

Whether or not the story of this recipe is true or not, the recipe is the real deal. While you can make modifications, start with this recipe for the best cookies. Ever. At least worth $250. (Thanks to the Neiman Marcus for the recipe! http://www.neimanmarcuscareers.com/index.shtml)

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup butter (one stick), softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg, large
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, semi-sweet or darker
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds). Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.
In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips. Using a 1-ounce scoop or 2-tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.
Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2-inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie. – See more at: http://goodtaste.tv/recipes/showrecipe/display/neimans-authentic-chocolate-chip-cookie#sthash.I0XA6sMC.dpuf