never the same cookie twice!

Garbage (or "junk drawer") cookies are created with whatever odds and ends you have on hand, making them the perfect way to use up all of those half-empty bags of nuts, candies, and chocolate chips in the pantry. Just begin with the simple chocolate base, and mix in as many extras as you want.

Chocolate "Garbage" Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup white sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk

Pinch of salt
1/2 cup of each of your favorite "add-ins" (marshmallows, chocolate chips, toffee pieces, nuts, coconut, M&Ms, raisins, etc.)






Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the milk and vanilla and beat well.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat into creamed mixture.

4. Stir in whatever "add-ins" you wish. (For this version I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanuts, walnuts, coconut, raisins, and mini Charleston Chew candies. Pretty good, but next time I'd omit the peanuts.)

5. Drop by tablespoonful (or larger, if you want) onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Yields about two dozen cookies.