Valentine M&M Chocolate Cookies

I love these cookies! I found this recipe on one of my favorite cooking blogs, bakingbites.com and they have quickly risen to become one of my favorite cookies to bake.  They are so chocolaty-- kind of a brownie but in a crunchy cookie form.  It also doesn't hurt that they are filled with M&M's and mini chocolate chips. How can you go wrong with 3 types of chocolate in one cookie? I usually switch out the seasonal M&M's and make these for fall, Christmas, Easter, etc. but I think they look especially pretty with the Valentine colors.  These are very easy to make and are great for a mid-week treat!

Valentine M&M Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup of butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups Valentine M&M's (or whatever colors you prefer)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla.  In a separate bowl sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa.  Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and blend until smooth.  Stir in M&M's and mini chocolate chips.

Drop dough on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 9-11 minutes.  Do not over bake! The cookies will appear just set.  Cool on sheet for 2 minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe makes about 3 dozen.

Adapted from bakingbites.com