Valentine’s Day and S’more Cookies

Okay, so you've got the basic recipe, which is fantastic for a quick batch of delicious cookies! But let's dive a little deeper into making those Valentine's Day and S'mores cookies truly unforgettable. I've made these so many times, and I've picked up a few tricks along the way that I just have to share. First off, for those amazing S'mores cookies, getting the marshmallow just right is key. I've found that using larger, flatter marshmallows works best, or even cutting regular marshmallows into halves. This prevents them from melting too quickly and oozing out everywhere. When you're covering the graham cracker, chocolate (I love using classic Hershey's milk chocolate for that authentic S'mores taste, but Ghirardelli Premium Baking Milk Chocolate Chips also work wonderfully in the base dough!), and marshmallow with your chocolate chip dough, make sure the dough is completely enclosed. This acts like a little blanket, keeping all that gooey goodness inside. A little tip: if your dough is too sticky to flatten easily, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. It makes handling so much easier! And for the Valentine's Day M&M cookies, why stop at just red and pink M&Ms? I sometimes like to add a mix of white chocolate chips or even some freeze-dried raspberry pieces for an extra burst of color and flavor. It really elevates the cookie and makes them feel extra special. Don't be afraid to experiment with different sprinkles too – a sprinkle of edible glitter or heart-shaped sprinkles right after they come out of the oven can make them look professionally baked! Now, about baking. The recipe says 10-12 minutes at 350°F, and that's a great guideline. But every oven is a little different! I always keep a close eye on mine starting around the 9-minute mark. You want the edges to be golden brown and the centers to look just set, maybe even a tiny bit soft. They'll continue to cook slightly as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking is the enemy of a chewy cookie! Finally, storage. If you somehow manage to have any left (which is rare in my house!), store your S'mores cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For the M&M cookies, they tend to stay fresh a bit longer, up to a week. If you want to make a big batch for gifting, these cookies hold up really well. I like to package them in cute cellophane bags tied with a ribbon and a handwritten tag – it adds such a personal touch for Valentine's Day! Who wouldn't love a homemade treat? With these tips, your mallow Valentine's Day cookies, whether S'mores or M&M packed, are going to be a huge hit!