The Three (Vegan) Amigos

So, I've gone and done it. I am officially working on a vegan cookie. Eventually I'll get to the gluten free option, and possibly pair it (which brings a whole new set of patience and learning material, both of which I've got). The problem with baking these cookies, is that I like to bake several in one night. And then I have to taste all of them!  The good, the bad, and the ugly. Even the chocolate avocado one that looked like a rock and tasted like sourdough bread. It was sad too, because the dough was scrumptious! Vegan cookies don't behave like other cookies in the oven. No, siree. They are far more precarious.

Anyways, I have found the base of the dough for a vegan chocolate chip cookie, and it's near complete. After a few more iterations, I think I'll have a pretty darn delicious cookie!  Want to see some of the more visually pleasing iterations?

Cookie Numbero Uno is a tiny chocolate chip cookie that did not spread. At all.  In fact, I think it even stubbornly looked at me through the oven door, crossed its arms, and said "I'm not moving!"  And move it did not!

Cookie Numero Dos was a little more easy going, and even got a crispy brown edge. It said to me "I see what you're doing. I don't agree with it, but I support you..."

Cookie Numbero Tres was clearly on its third glass of wine. Because he was all "Do what you want... this is great." And thus, he was the clear winner. He listened to me, he relaxed a bit, and he was pretty darn good! Boyfriend didn't even know he was vegan!

The three amigos all in a row!

Cookie Numero Tres, all lined up and ready to be eaten! Now where's that glass of almond milk??

Cookies, Meet VoicePlay!

If you give a bass singer a cookie, he'll probably ask for a cup of coffee.  

This weekend, I was visited by the amazing a cappella group VoicePlay, who is currently on tour traveling and performing all across the Southeast.   These five, wonderful guys are Eli, Geoff (pictured right), Earl, Tony and Layne, and they stopped by Nashville to hang out, eat cookies, and play with my dog (pictured left), Bo.

So lucky for them, when I have guests, I bake. This time, I had some truly talented taste testers! They got to enjoy the cookies fresh out of the oven while relaxing at my apartment, drinking coffee, and nursing a burger coma after visiting Burger Up for lunch.  They liked the cookies so much, even Earl couldn't resist a picture on the road!

If you like cookies, stay tuned for exciting news to follow in an upcoming post.  If you like music, check out VoicePlay's hit mash-up with Nashville's very own Rachel Potter!

Whole30 Craving Post: The Rabid Cookie Monster

homemade chewy chocolate chip cookies

I made these chocolate chip cookies late at night last weekend. I mean, literally, in the dark. Hence, the nighttime cookie picture you see above you.  They were for post-race enjoyment for my boyfriend, Justin, and wonderful friend, Charlotte, once they crossed the finish line of the Oak Barrel Half Marathon in Lynchburg, TN. And they each PR'd! I'd like to give a warm, chewy shout out to my cookies, which I truly believe contributed to their big finishes.

Okay, maybe not.  But they were delicious! And I think these might be my biggest Day 3 craving, especially after just playing soccer.  In fact, my inner cookie monster [quite the ferocious beast] just growled at me.  Better go feed her something wholesome!