Olive Oil Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Danyelle and I have been best friends since second grade. She's seen me at my worst, she's seen me at my best, and I know, no matter what time of day it is, I can call her when I need a friend. Danyelle also happens to be one of the strongest people I know -- she's a mother of two young boys, and her husband, Scott, is currently serving in Iraq. She's got a lot on her plate -- and, well, so does her husband.

Last weekend, I had time on my hands and wanted to make Scott something special -- hoping that this package I sent to him would bring a glimmer of light to his day. I perused numerous dessert recipes, and finally stumbled upon this one. The photos, description and recipe told me right away that these cookies were fit for a hero.

Olive Oil Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields: About 17 cookies
Adapted from The Crepes of Wrath 

-2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
-1 1/2 teaspoons salt
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 cup granulated sugar
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-1 teaspoon honey
-2 eggs
-1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of soy milk
-1/2 cup each of milk and white chocolate chips

Directions: 
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. Combine sugars, vanilla, honey and olive oil. Beat in the eggs one a time. Gradually beat in the flour mixture, then add in a tablespoon of milk to make the dough a bit firmer.
3. Roll the dough into balls with your hands (I used an ice cream scoop) and place on a greased and/or lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden and set. Allow to cool for a bit on the baking sheet, then move to another surface to finish cooling.

Of course, I had to taste test one, and I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. I have to admit, I was skeptical that olive oil in place of butter would produce delicious chocolate chip cookies. But thankfully, the cookies came out moist, almost fluffy -- the texture was unlike anything I've ever had before, at least in cookie form.

The combination of white and milk chocolate didn't hurt, either. I hope these cookies brighten Scott's day like they brightened mine.

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