Why You Should Keep Your Kids IN The Kitchen

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Don't keep them out...says Katie Workman.  She wrote a new cookbook called Dinner Solved.  It's a book that stresses delicious meals that seem more complex than they actually are.  Katie told Tonia's Kitchen she's a big advocate of getting kids involved in the meals they make.  Do that, she says, and you'll actually be teaching as you're cooking, and helping them make better lifestyle choices early on. Of course, there's always room for dessert and snacks, and Katie told Tonia about her idea for a Chewy Brownie Cookie.  It's like a brownie, but in the shape of a cookie.  Its simplicity allows you to have some fun, Katie says she adds a peanut butter filling that her kids adore, and they helped!

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, if you have it; otherwise leave the baking sheet ungreased.

2. Place the butter, unsweetened chocolate, and chocolate chips in a small saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring frequently, just until everything is smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

3. Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Beat the eggs and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy and light yellow, about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, blend the flour mixture into the egg mixture in 3 batches, blending after each addition, just until barely combined. Add the chocolate mixture to the bowl and beat just until combined; the dough will be very thick.

4. Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the dough and create 12 mounds on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the tops are crackly and the edges are set, 9 to 11 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and firmly tap the pan against the counter. Let the cookies sit for 1 minute on the baking sheet (they will sink slightly), then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat to bake three sheets of cookies in all.