Spicy Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened (I used 1 cup shortening)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsps vanilla

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour (I used 2 1/2 cups of flour blend which consists of 2 parts white flour, 2 parts wheat flour, 1 part wheat germ, and 1 part ground flaxseed in place of the flours in this recipe)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F.

Combine butter, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and light.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne pepper. Gradually mix into butter mixture. Beat just until combined and smooth.

Fold in chocolate chips until combined. Scoop cookies into 2-inch balls and place on cookie sheets.

Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes.

Let cool slightly, then remove from cookie sheets and transfer to a wire rack to cool further.