Chocolate Chip Strawberry Cookies

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but spring has hit San Diego.  Actually, spring sort of slid in after an extended autumn, and winter?  Well... it didn't really happen.  And I'm just fine with that.

With temps in the 70's nearly year round, identifying the seasons can be a bit challenging.  But here in San Diego we know spring has officially hit with a few key hints... the front lawn turns a luscious shade of emerald, my roses are covered with tender new leaves, the plumeria buds are swelling, and the farmer's markets sport tables of brilliant red, juicy strawberries.

Home with not just one, but two, three-packs of fragrant berries, strawberries became my obvious choice for this month's Creative Cookie Exchange submission of Berries and Chocolate.  Never having actually tasted a strawberry cookie though I found myself a bit stumped.  Thank heavens for teenage boys who promptly informed me that strawberries in a plain chocolate chip cookie would fit the bill.  And so they did.

Adding a delightful sweetness to the soft cookie, strawberries bring a nice depth and an unexpected brightness to the bite of our exchange submission.

Want to be part of our monthly Creative Cookie Exchange?  Simply contact Laura at thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com and she will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links.

You can also use our group as a fabulous resource for cookie recipes--be sure to check out our Facebook page, our Pinterest Board, and our monthly posts. You will find our posts the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month.

 And now join me as we travel the world for this month's Berries and Chocolate Creative Cookie Exchange!

• White Chocolate and Cranberry Crispy Treats  from All That's Left Are The Crumbs
• Strawberry Pocky Chocolate Cookies from  NinjaBaking.com
• Double Chocolate Cookies with Dried Cherries from A Baker's House
• Raspberry Fudge Sandwich Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Double Chocolate Strawberry Cookies from Baking Yummies
• Nutella Cranberry Cookies from Basic N Delicious
• Blueberry Lemon Cookies with White Chocolate Chunks from The Spiced Life
• Brownie Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies from Made with Love

Chocolate Chip Strawberry Cookies
A regular 'ole chocolate chip cookie all dressed up for a springtime event, strawberries bring a lovely and unexpected sweetness to each and every bite.
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1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened (we use Earth Balance Butter Alternative)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated or vanilla sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup spelt flour (may use all all-purpose if desired)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup chopped chocolate
3/4 to 1 cup chopped strawberries

Preheat oven to 350ºF and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.  Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together the flour, spelt flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

Place the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and add the sugars.  Mix until combined, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.  Add the eggs one at a time and then the vanilla extract, mixing until combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of the stand mixer and mix until barely combined.  Add the chopped chocolate and strawberries mixing again until just incorporated.

Place rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepare cookie sheets and bake until cookies are lightly browned, 12-14 minutes.  Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool.  Enjoy!

Liv Life Note:  While I know eating cookie dough with raw eggs can be dangerous, I must say that I took the risk and tried this dough... might I just say that this was one of the best cookie doughs I've ever had!  **Please note that eating dough containing raw eggs poses a risk of Salmonella.