Cookies... 2 ways

I was in the mood for homemade chocolate chip cookies... but wait also for monster cookies since I didn't get to make them for my son's senior project.  I really didn't want to make 2 whole batches of cookies (since I am trying to lose weight:(  ... which is by itself a never ending project... so I thought why don't I make a basic chocolate chip cookie dough and make half just regular ole' chocolate chip cookies and add extra ingredients to the remaining 1/2 batch of dough and make monster cookies.... so that's what I did and they turned out great.  Put what you like, M & M's, butterscotch chips, cranberries, raisins whatever YOU like... :)  enjoy


Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup softened butter or margarine
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375.
In small bowl whisk together flour, soda, & salt.  In other bowl put butter and both sugars in.  Mix with a wooden spoon until creamy and well mixed.  Add eggs & vanilla mix well.  In 3rds, add flour mixture mixing well.  Mix in chocolate chips and nuts.  Scoop onto greased cookie sheets (or use silpat liners) and bake for around 13 minutes or until light golden brown. **Only use 1/2 batch if you want half Monster cookies.. see recipe below.

Monster Cookies
1/2 batch chocolate chip cookie dough
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup shredded coconut


Mix well together and scoop onto baking sheets.  Bake for around 13 minutes or until golden.