Chunky Monkey Cupcakes

Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream inspired this cupcake recipe (with the help of some Duncan Hines cake mix).  I made it a few years ago for a super bowl party and even though they were a hit, I haven't made them since.

The occasion for these tasty treats is my best friend's baby shower this weekend, and I've been salivating since I decided these would be the cupcake for the event.

Ingredients:

• 1 Box Duncan Hines Banana Cake Mix
• 1 Package Banana flavored Instant Pudding
• 1 Cup Milk
• 3 Large Eggs
• 1/3 Cup Butter
• 3/4 Cup Walnuts
• 3/4 
• Chocolate Chips (I prefer milk chocolate, but if you're planning on being true to the B&J's flavor, dark or semi sweet chips are more accurate)
• Vanilla or Butter-cream Frosting
• Banana Chips (for decoration)

Directions:

• Preheat oven 350 degrees for a metal pan, 325 for a dark or coated pan, grease sides with shortening or oil spray, or use baking cups for cupcakes
• blend cake mix, instant pudding, chocolate chips, walnuts (so that the nuts and chips are coated in the dry mix, they won't sink as much while baking if this is done first).
• add milk, eggs, and melted butter until all ingredients are well mixed, about 2 minutes.
• pour batter into pan/baking cups
• bake 15-18 minutes
• cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes
• cool completely before frosting.
• melt some chocolate chips and then dip the banana chips in melted chocolate, set aside on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper until chocolate sets

Mama Maltagliati's Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are my favorite chocolate chip cookies. EVER. I have so many great memories of making these with my mom, and finally being old enough to be left alone in the kitchen and making them myself. I won't lie there have been many occasions where I've made them just to eat the dough (I'm a rebel like that) and then only bake what's left out of guilt.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter softened (do not substitute)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 12-ounce package milk chocolate chocolate chips (my favorite are Nestle, I haven't liked how they've turned out as much with other brands).
• 1 6-ounce package mini chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
• In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt… set aside
• In a large bowl, combine butter, sugars, and vanilla; beat until creamy
• Beat in eggs
• Gradually add flour mixture; mix well
• Stir in chips and nuts
• Drop rounded level measuring tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets (I usually line my cookie sheets with parchment paper, no stick and super easy clean up)
• Bake 9 minutes