It's his birthday!

today he turns 28

nine years ago, i told him "happy birthday" for the first time

we had just met, but i knew him enough to know he didn't have much of a sweet tooth

what i didn't know, was that he made an exception for cookies

which is why is mom made a "cookie cake" or "pizookie" every year for his birthday

fast forward a couple of years

we're newlyweds, and his mom lives clear across the continent

so i decide to carry on the tradition

it's taken us a couple of years to find the perfect recipe

but we did, and now we refer to it as "THE" cookie

perfectly chewy, just the right amount of sweetness and whole wheat, believe it or not!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Ingredients:

- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter (I sometimes pull it out of the fridge a bit early so it's easier to cream)

- 1 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips 

- 1 cup white whole wheat flour (Trader Joe's has the best price I've found)

- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 3/4 cup brown sugar (I sometimes use a tad less if I want something less sweet)

- 1 tbsp vanilla extract

- 1 large egg

- Preheat your oven to 350*.

- Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.  

- Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract on medium speed until well combined - about one minute.  Increase mixer speed to high and beat for 15 seconds.  

- Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the egg.  Blend on medium speed for 30 more seconds.  

- Add the dry ingredients and combine on low speed until just a few dry streaks remain.  

- Add the chocolate chips and mix for a few seconds until combined. 

- Scrape the batter into a greased 10-inch round cake or pie pan.  

- Press the batter into a smooth and even layer and bake until lightly golden and puffy around the edges (the center should still be quite soft) for 18 to 20 minutes.  

- Cool for 10 minutes then run a knife around the edges to release the cake.  

 - Try to let cool a bit before digging in, it tends to fall apart when still warm. (we're not so great at this step...)

Enjoy!

 happy birthday, daddy; it's been a heck of a year!

we love you so much and are so happy to celebrate you today - here's to another year of adventures together.

love, your girls