Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
/We have all most likely tried our hand at dozens of chocolate chip cookie recipes. After many years of experimenting I have finally found my favorite recipe. Eileen and Nick have helped me keep them in heavy rotation over the last couple of months. Last Friday we had our first snowstorm in Chicago. It wasn't as severe as had originally been predicted, but with 60F weather fresh in our memories it was just as bitter. The three of us stayed in watching television under a sleeping bag, drinking hot Grzaniec Galicyjski, a spiced Polish wine that I fell in love with while living in Kraków, and baking these delicious cookies.
My cookies are largely based on the Williams-Sonoma Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from their wonderful book, Essentials of Baking. This recipe makes about 24 cookies that will stay pleasantly chewy in a sealed container for up to four days.
Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350F
1 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar
6 Tbl granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 C semisweet or dark chocolate chips
In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with a wooden spoon or flat pastry whisk until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well incorporated. Slowly add the dry ingredients and stir until the dough just comes together. Add the chocolate and and stir until incorporated. Do not over-mix.
Drop the dough in large tablespoons onto a prepared cookie sheet (I use a Silpat mat on an air-bake sheet). Leave about 2 inches for the cookies to expand. Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool briefly on the cookie sheet and then transfer to a wire rack.
The batch of cookies I made on Friday received a nice touch from a company in New York called SweetRiot. I used a vial of their flavor 65 ("100% cacao nibs dunked in 65% chocolate") as extra chocolate flavor and crunch in these cookies (I'm currently snacking on their flavor 50). The results were tasty! I don't usually post about things that I am sent as the owner of this website, but this company seems sweet and I know their products are. Mmm, thanks!
Do any of you have favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes? I'd love to try them and compare. Feel free to email or post in the comments.