Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've been a bit lazy lately. I have no idea why. All I've wanted to do is sit and watch TV and play as much Cookie Jam as I can. Granted, I have still done some chores and most of the regular stuff I need to do (laundry, weekly grocery shopping) but I probably could be doing more. My only theory is that I (finally!) started my new job in January after almost a year and a half of unemployment. I guess my homebody side isn't getting enough TV and computer time anymore? Anyway, I'm trying to change that. Nothing to do with a belated New Year's resolution (I don't really make those anymore); just mad at myself for not doing much. Hence why this Valentine's Day recipe is over a month late.

Now, on to the (first of many) recipe(s that I'm posting this week)!

Some of my new co-workers decided to have a dessert potluck on Valentine's Day. Being the indecisive person that I am, I first went back-and-forth between doing something or not (I'm always a bit nervous about baking for others). When I finally decided to make a contribution I then couldn't decide what to make. Eventually I decided on red velvet cookies because what other color says Valentine's Day?

Cake Mix Cookies

A couple years ago my family and I went to Boston for a week. On our first night, we were walking around when I came across Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip cookies. I took a picture as a reminder to look up the recipe and make them. Flash forward to a couple weeks ago: I hadn't yet made them but when I came across them at Safeway, I grabbed a container. Holy deliciousness! (which didn't really surprise me - in my opinion their chocolate chip cookies are better than any Nestle Toll House recipe that I make.) When my mom asked me to make the dessert for our night to make dinner during our extended family's annual vacation to Chelan, I tried to find a cookie or bar recipe that would be great for 20+ people. I started looking at the dozens of recipes that I've bookmarked (no cookbook/magazine = one less thing to bring) and came across one for Cake Mix Cookies from Sweet & Simple. This sounded perfect since it would mean fewer ingredients to bring from home and less time in the kitchen mixing it up. I decided to turn them into bars because it would mean even less time in the kitchen (no having to wait for a dozen cookies to bake at a time) and they could be cut into any number of bars.