12 Days of Christmas {Goodies}: Chocolate Chip Cookies (Soy, Fish and Nut-Free, Can Be Milk-Free)

Welcome to the ninth day of

The 12 Days of Christmas {Goodies} link-up,

brought to you by Natural and Free and Glued to My Crafts! 

At the end of this post (and every post for the full extent of this link-up) you will get the chance to share your Christmas creations with us (details to follow).  And you'll want to share because we have some amazing giveaways  (among other things) planned! And we all know, there's nothing better than a holiday giveaway! :)

Thank you to all those who have submitted some truly delicious recipes and amazing crafty designs!  Keep them coming and tell your friends!  Remember, there is no limit to how many Christmas-y posts you can link-up and each post you submit is a chance to win the $12 gift card to Starbucks (courtesy of Stacey at Glued To My Crafts).  We are also featuring our TOP Five Favorites on the 13th, so stay tuned!

If I haven't stopped by to check out your submission, I'll be there ASAP! :)  I can't wait to see what you've shared!

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And now *clears throat and begins singing to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas*:

On the ninth day of  The Christmas {Goodies} link-up, Natural and Free gave to me:

9. Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies!

8. Delicious Peppermint Mocha!

7. Cranberry Apple Salad!

6. Cinnamon Sugar Apple Pie! 

5. Granny's Favorite Gingerbread!

4. Chocolate-Covered Pretzels!

3. Yummy Peppermint Fudge!

2. Cute and festive Pine Cones!

and

1. A recipe for Candied Pecans!

When I found out that Nestle's Dark Chocolate Morsels* (and Enjoy Life chocolate chips) were soy-free and easily accessible, I knew I had to add a chocolate chip cookie recipe to my blog.  It was the one cookie that I missed most when I couldn't have soy, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.  I thought this would be a great Christmas present for all of you soy-free individuals. :)

This recipe is a slightly modified version of the one on the back of the Nestle's Dark Chocolate Morsels bag.  It is soy (if you use all soy-free ingredients), fish and nut-free, and can be milk-free (see variations).

*UPDATE, 8-19-14: Nestle's Dark Chocolate Morsels now contain "natural flavor".  I am doing an inquiry to see if they are still soy-free.  Until then, please use Enjoy Life chocolate chips or other soy-free chocolate in this recipe if you need your recipes to be soy-free. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 Cups soy-free, all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt (amount based on preference)

1 Cup (2 sticks) full-fat, salted butter, softened

3/4 Cups white sugar

3/4 Cup brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 (10 oz.) package soy-free chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375^oF.
      
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
      
3. Beat butter, white and brown sugar and vanilla in a larger bowl until creamy.
      
4. Add eggs to the butter mixture and beat until well-blended.
      
5. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the egg mixture until well-combined.
      
6. Stir in the chocolate chips; mix until chocolate chips are evenly distributed.
      
7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons (smaller if you want smaller cookies, larger if you want bigger cookies) onto ungreased baking sheets and bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.  (Note: If you like your cookies more on the chewy side, cook for the lesser time or just until the edges begin to brown.  If you like your cookies more crisp, cook them for the longer time or until the entire cookie is golden brown.)
      
8. Remove cookies to wire racks, brown paper or waxed paper to cool.

Enjoy these cookies warm or completely cooled.  Makes between 3 to 5 dozen cookies depending on size.

Variations:

• Milk-free: Use a dairy-free butter like Earth Balance in place of the butter and Enjoy Life chocolate chips.  Just make sure your substitutions fit your allergen needs.
   
• Stir-in Ideas: You can use any type of chocolate chips (i.e. white, milk, mint, chunks) that you like that fits your allergen needs.  You can also add up to 1 Cup each of any of the following: chopped nuts (i.e. almonds, pecans, walnuts), dried fruit (i.e. Craisins, raisins), toffee chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, M&Ms, etc.  I would recommend that you try to limit your total amount of stir-ins to 2 Cups total so your cookies bake up correctly.  Just make sure all of your stir-ins fit your allergen needs.
   
• Bar Cookies: Preheat oven to 350^oF.  Grease 15x10-inch jelly-roll pan.  Prepare dough as above.  Spread the dough into prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool in pan on wire rack.

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Now it's your turn!



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(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)