Advent's arrival: Chocolate Cookies with (Christmas!) Mint M&Ms

It's like 70 degrees for some reason, but Santa music and commercialized holiday, to put it frankly, vomit invaded a while ago. Despite all that confusion and disgust, I have slowed my life in an attempt to reclaim the anticipation and hope of a Savior that our culture slandered somewhere along the way.

And the season got much sweeter (pardon the cheesy pun) when I walked into Publix on Advent Eve to find the holiday baking display highlight: red, green and white M&Ms. So naturally, they were in the cart and, upon arrival back home, studded in cookie dough filled with melted chocolate chips.

And then off they went to roommates, in baggies to share with family members I saw, to a plate to serve with dinner with my Monday night girls (who need a name), to the office (where I ate 5 in one afternoon-there is a reason for individual apportioned servings), back to roommates, to spread the cheer of chocolate and mint.

All that cheer paired perfectly with studying the sin in Christ's lineage in Matthew, singing hymns of Christmas, and hearing the whole story in 44 minutes courtesy of the artistry of Andrew Peterson... that and writing a heart-warming "community supports kid with cancer" story and touches of holiday at home, with cranberries on our table and words of hope (this week's Advent "word") to start our "Advent cabinet" tradition.

 Come, Lord Jesus.

Chocolate Cookies with (Christmas!) Mint M&Ms
Adapted from Very Best Baking

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2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 ½ cups mint M&Ms (or substitute your chocolate of choice)

Melt 2 cups of chocolate chips in small, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat; stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, sugars and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Add eggs and beat well. Beat in melted chocolate. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining remaining chips and M&Ms. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are puffed. Cool on baking sheets