This joy of cooking chocolate chip cookies recipe is not only a nostalgic favorite, but it’s also a foolproof method for achieving perfect, chewy, golden-brown cookies every time.
The aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filling the kitchen has an indisputable reassuring quality.
These cookies offer a delightful balance of rich, melty chocolate and buttery dough, regardless of baking experience. Additionally, you may quickly prepare a batch of cookies using basic ingredients and little work!
Ingredients:
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (160g) packed brown sugar (dark brown sugar is preferred for a richer taste)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (you can use pure vanilla for the best flavor)
2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (if you’re using salted butter, reduce this amount)
2 cups (340g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Joy of Cooking Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. Preheat Your Oven
Turn the oven on to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat through completely while you make the cookie dough. Using silicone baking mats or parchment paper to line your baking sheets makes cleanup much simpler and helps keep them from sticking.
2. Cream the sugar and butter together.
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing basin. Gradually increase the speed from low to medium until the mixture is light and fluffy. It should take three to four minutes to complete this operation. Lighter, softer cookies are the result of thoroughly creaming the butter and sugar to introduce air into the dough.
3. Add the vanilla and eggs.
Make sure each egg is completely combined before adding the next one. Add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla extract and beat for an additional 30 seconds after the eggs have been combined. The majority of cookie recipes call for vanilla because it gives chocolate a lovely, sweet, and fragrant undertone.
4. Get the dry ingredients ready.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a different medium-sized basin and whisk them together. To guarantee that the baking soda, the leavening ingredient that gives cookies their chewy texture and helps them rise, is uniformly distributed throughout the dough, this step is crucial.
5. Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients
To avoid overworking the dough, gradually add the dry components to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Tough cookies can result from overmixing, which causes the flour’s gluten to grow excessively. Just until all of the flour has been mixed in and there are no more streaks, stir.
6. Stir in the Nuts and Chocolate Chips.
Add the chocolate chips and nuts after the dough has been combined. To preserve the dough’s soft texture, it is crucial to fold them in by hand using a wooden spoon or spatula instead of using a mixer. Depending on your own preferences, you can change the quantity of chocolate chips. Some people like their cookies to be mostly chocolate, while others would prefer to see more of the dough.
7. Divide and Let Go of the Dough
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each drop, using a cookie scoop or tablespoon. The cookies can spread out in this area while baking. Feel free to increase the amount size if you like larger cookies, but be aware that they can take longer to bake.
8. Bake to perfection
After putting the baking sheets in the oven, bake them for ten to twelve minutes. To achieve the ideal chocolate chip cookies, take them out of the oven when the rims are golden but the centers are still just a little underbaked. This guarantees a soft, chewy middle. Leave the cookies in for another one to two minutes if you like them crispier.
9. Allow the cookies to cool.
After the cookies are done, take them out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling. The cookies can set up a little more during this resting time, which is particularly crucial for preserving their chewy texture.
See also: Pistachio affogato
Chocolate Chip Cookie Variations:
Double Chocolate: For chocolate enthusiasts, create double chocolate chip cookies by substituting 1/4 cup of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: Use rolled oats in place of half the flour for a heartier alternative. This gives it a deliciously chewy, slightly nutty taste.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: For a traditional peanut butter-chocolate pairing, mix in 1/2 cup of peanut butter with the batter. For added richness, you may also add peanut butter chips.
Serving Suggestions:
You can serve your Joy of Cooking chocolate chip cookies in the following ways:
Traditional Milk and Cookies: Accompany a tall glass of cold milk with these warm chocolate chip cookies. The rich, melted chocolate chips and buttery dough are complemented by the milk’s creamy smoothness and subtle sweetness, creating a nostalgic and filling snack.
Ice Cream Sandwiches: For a rich dessert, place a heaping scoop of chocolate or vanilla ice cream between two cookies. Before serving, sprinkle the edges with crushed nuts, micro chocolate chips, or sprinkles for more flavor.
With Hot Drinks: For a warm, comforting treat, serve your cookies with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. A slightly bitter cup of coffee or tea makes a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the biscuit.
Crumbled Over Desserts: You can sprinkle these cookies on top of yogurt, custard, or even ice cream, or you can crumble them over a dish of chocolate or vanilla pudding. The cookies give any dessert a lovely crunch and rich chocolate flavor.
Storage Tips:
Short-Term Storage: For up to a week, keep the baked cookies at room temperature in an airtight container. Put a piece of bread in the container to keep them soft. Your cookies will stay fresh and chewy because to the bread’s ability to retain moisture.
Long-Term Storage: Freeze the cookies if you wish to keep them for an extended period of time. Arrange the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer until they solidify. Once frozen, store them for up to three months in a freezer-safe bag or container. Simply remove as many as you like and allow them to defrost at room temperature when you’re ready to eat them.
Conclusion
This Joy of Cooking chocolate chip cookies Provides ideally chewy cookies that are excellent for every occasion, with crisp edges and gooey middle. Their tempting flavor never lets you down, whether you’re serving them with milk, making ice cream sandwiches out of them, or just eating one right out of the oven.
These cookies may be tailored to suit any occasion or preference thanks to the ability to save, customize, and even freeze them.
