#2 Americone Dream Cookies

My next Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor to tackle was Americone Dream. This is a flavor created especially for/by Mr. Steven Cobert. Stephen Colbert donates his proceeds from the sale of AmeriCone Dream to charity through The Stephen Colbert AmeriCone Dream Fund. Not only is this a creative flavor, but also one with a great cause.

Tips:

Not too much - when you're creating all of the elements that make up this cookie, it may seem like too much, but it isn't. 
Plastic bag it - there are two different ways to create the chocolate covered waffle cone pieces; you can break the cones up in a plastic bag and coat them in chocolate or you can drizzle the cone pieces with chocolate. The choice is yours.

Oven Temperature: 350 degrees 
Prep Time: 20-25 minutes 
Bake Time: 10-12 minutes 
 Servings: 3-4 dozen cookies

2 cups milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips

10 waffle cones, broken into bite-sized pieces

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

2/3 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 (11 ounce) bag of caramel baking bits or 24 caramels cut into small pieces

Directions:

1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Also line a tray or pan with waxed paper and set aside.

2) Place waffle cone pieces into a large zip top bag and set aside. 

3) Pour chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate on high for 50-60 seconds or until the chocolate is melted. 

4) Pour the chocolate into the zip top bag and toss the pieces to coat. Transfer the waffle pieces onto the waxed paper lined tray or pan and spread the pieces out evenly ( It's okay if they clump together because you can break them apart). Place the pan into the freezer while you prepare the dough. 

5) In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix the ingredients to distribute each ingredient evenly. Set this bowl aside.

6) In a large bowl, cream together butter, vegetable oil, granulated and brown sugar. Add vanilla, milk and  eggs, one at a time.

7) Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix until all ingredients are combined.

8) Remove the waffle cone pieces from the freezer. Stir in half of the caramel bits and waffle cone pieces (reserve some  to top the cookies). 

9) Place dough by rounded Tablespoons onto the parchment lined baking sheets 2 inches apart. Top with reserved caramel bits and waffle cone pieces.

10) Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browning around the edges and the centers are set.

11) Cool cookies for a few minutes on the pan until transferring onto a cooling rack.