Thursday, July 28, 2011

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ok, I know what you’re thinking… Really, Brooke?  Doesn’t everyone already have their ‘perfect’ recipe for chocolate chip cookies? 

Well, maybe so but there might be someone out there looking for just such a recipe and I just may have it for them… right here! 

We’ve all tried dozens of different variations of chocolate chip cookies, right?  I know I have!  It seems that everyone has their own recipe that they just absolutely love and go back to time and time again.  THIS is that recipe for me.  And chocolate chip cookies are a very personal thing.  Some like them chewy, some crispy, some fat and some flat!  This one is just the right combination of an ever-so-slight crunch on the outside {especially around the edges} and a perfectly chewy middle.  YUM!  And besides, the dough itself is worthy of an award! 

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried a whole lot of delicious chocolate chip cookies but many of them contain shortening.  Nothing wrong with that at all but around these here parts, we’re trying to stay away from hydrogenated oils and such.  And since this recipe calls for butter {or margarine, but really… please stick with butter}, it’s a recipe I love having around.

It’s a recipe I got years ago from a friend who had adapted it just slightly from a chocolate chip bag {I don’t recall the brand} and the rest is history!  Since then, I have found that there are a couple of tricks to getting this to be the perfect cookie.  So, let’s get started!

 

Start out by beating the butter for about 2 minutes on medium speed. {super soft butter… as in out of the refrigerator for 24 hours}


cookie1


Next, add the brown sugar and beat for about a minute.


cookie2

 

Now add the white sugar and beat for another whole minute, or longer. 


cookie3

 

Notice the beautiful color… don’t you just want to paint a wall that color? 


cookie4

 

Add the vanilla and mix well.


cookie5

 

Add the egg and mix until incorporated.  {this is the point that you don’t want to overmix.}


cookie6

 

In a separate bowl, you’ll need to combine the flour, salt and baking soda.


Then you’ll add it, a little at a time, to the wet mixture.  Mix each ‘little bit’ on low speed.  {Unless you like wearing flour! Winking smile}


cookie7

 

Once it’s all incorporated, you’ll have a ball of dough that looks similar to this {after scraping the sides, of course}.


cookie8

 

Stir in chocolate chips!  {I prefer semi-sweet}


cookie9

 

Roll into golf ball sized balls, placing them on a cookie sheet lightly coated in non-stick spray.


cookie10

 

Mash them down about halfway.  {Trust me on this, if you don’t do it they will end up looking like half spheres… we’re going for perfection here!}


cookie11

 

And once you’ve rolled 2 dozen cookies, you have just enough dough left over for yourself.  C’mon, you know you want it!


cookie12

 

Place in a 375* oven for 9-12 minutes {11 is usually perfect for my oven}


And they’ll come out looking like this… except that they’re still on the cookie sheet, not the cooling rack.  Remove from the cooling rack about 2 or 3 minutes after removing from oven. 


cookie17

 

Not too dark, not too light… PERFECT!


cookie15

 

Do you like milk with your cookies?


cookie14

 

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 c. butter (or margarine if you must) – ** very soft butter!! 

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. chocolate chips

 

Preheat oven to 375*

Cream butter for 2 or 3 minutes on medium speed.  Add brown sugar and beat again for another minute or so.  Then add white sugar, beat again.  Add vanilla and egg, mix until well incorporated.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda.  Pour a little bit at a time into the wet mixture(about 3 parts), mixing on low speed between each addition until fully incorporated. 

Stir in chocolate chips.

Roll into golf ball sized balls and place on lightly sprayed cookie sheet.  Smash each ball halfway (this is important unless you want half-spheres!)

Bake for 9-12 minutes (ovens may vary)…

10 comments:

Grumpy Grateful Mom said...

These cookies look perfect! I don't make chocolate cookies often--too risky--they are my ultimate favorite thing. But, I'll be sure to try out your method the next time I do. And yes, I'm totally stalking your blog. :)

Amber said...

Mmmm! They look yummy! I am going to have to copy that recipe and try if for my kiddos. Thanks for sharing!

Oh, and I just read your last post. You're too funny! With all your quirkiness it sounds a lot like our family.

momof12 said...

Those cookies look so good! I'm not sure why my button didn't work for you. I got two new followers yesterday. Please try again.
Sandy

blueviolet @ A Nut in a Nutshell said...

Those look like perfect cookies! I have always wondered what makes some chocolate chip cookies stay puffy like that, and some thin out. I want puffy ones like yours!

Brooke said...

I am totally ok with you stalking my blog... as long as you're not a weirdy! No weirdies allowed! ;) I'm still having fun looking at yours too. It's great to know I'm not the only one with hard days.

Kelsey said...

They look delicious! I still haven't found a recipe that I love, hopefully this is it!

Hollie said...

These look so good my mouth is watering!

Kirsten said...

These look so good!

Jenn said...

I just found your site and I love it - you have so many yummy looking recipes!! I am always up to trying a new chocolate chip cookie recipe! I'm a new follower. You should come and enter my cookbook giveaway (if you like cookbooks) http://eatcakefordinner.blogspot.com/2011/07/30-minute-rolls-and-giveaway.html

Julia said...

Thanks Brookie! These are my favorite for sure!!