Soooooo… I may or may not be on a sugar binge at the moment. I keep baking new batches of cookies with the intention to share them with my friends and colleagues only to have eaten nearly all of them before they make it to the destination. I think only about two-thirds of this batch of cookies made it to my office today. The rest is in my belly. Is sugar addiction an actual thing?

If so, I definitely have it. Bad.

This was the first time in my life I’ve ever had sugar cookies (because of freaking eggs; taking all the fun out of dessert for me since 1990). Needless to say, they were absolutely glorious and I’m currently eating one now. Anyways…

I can’t believe 2015 is just around the corner. I feel like I am in some alternate universe and it was just New Year’s Eve a couple weeks ago… I was throwing back beers like I hadn’t enjoyed a beverage in a month with people I don’t even hang out with anymore. This year has flown by in a whirlwind of crazy new experiences, new friends, and new goals for myself. This year, I’ve personally had the opportunity to explore several countries in Europe (and eat their yummy food!), gotten in significantly better shape than I’ve ever been before, moved up in my job, strengthened relationships with my family, met tons of wonderful new friends and rid myself of some of those that were toxic, and committed to go back to school. I cannot wait for next year and all the new things it has in store!!

For now, though, I’ll just sit in peace reflecting on good old 2014 and how I can make next year even more amazing while consuming these great sugar cookies. 😉

Happy New Year Everyone!!! ❤

Chewy Sugar Cookies
makes 2 dozen cookies, takes about 30 minutes

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 T. applesauce
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 cup sugar for rolling dough

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the baking powder and salt into the flour and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla and applesauce and mix well. Once the wet ingredients have been fully combined, stir in the dry ingredients well.

Make small balls of dough (about an inch in diameter), roll in the sugar, and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies begin to brown. I found that the cookies turn out best and stay chewy the less time they stay in the oven for. After removing from the oven, allow them to cool for about 5 minutes before stuffing your face.

And, as usual, enjoy! 🙂