Also, have a cookie - or at least a cookie recipe, the touted NY Times "Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie".
I had been curious to try these out to compare them to my beloved Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. With my lovely sister coming to visit for a week I knew it was perfect timing, as we have long shared a near obsession with cookie dough. In fact we used to make batches with zero intention of it ever seeing the inside of an oven. Therefore this recipe's instructions for the dough to rest in the fridge for 24-36 hours were easier for us than perhaps some. (Although perhaps regrettable after coming home from the bar and diving into it.)
I did actually happen to have both specialty flours as well (yeay for bulk grocers) although substitution seems common with good results. Somewhat pathetically only two small batches actually make it to cookie stage and as you can see from the photo I just managed to snap this last remaining cookie before they all disappeared. So the verdict? One of the best I've had. I don't think one recipe is actually is better than the other as they both have their strengths. I think the NY cookie is more true to the original sugar cookie with chocolate chunks origin with clean and balanced flavors. I think this one would probably have wider appeal. However I really love the deep more caramelly flavor and supreme chewiness of the other recipe, as a more personal preference. I think I will adopt the chilling and adding sea salt steps to that recipe and see myself making both in the future.
New York Times Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
Time: 45 minutes (for 1 6-cookie batch), plus at least 24 hours' chilling
- 2 cups minus 2 tablespoons
- (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
- 1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
- 2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
- Sea salt.
1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.
Note: Disks are sold at Jacques Torres Chocolate; Valrhona fèves, oval-shaped chocolate pieces, are at Whole Foods. [I used an organic high cocoa% chocolate chip instead. I feel the smaller pieces make a more enjoyable dough and prefer less chocolate to cookie ratio in the final product as well.)
The Bluebonnet Knitting Guild was kind enough to invite me back to present on Double Knitting tonight. Check out the guild if you're in the Grapevine/North Dallas area!
Happy Blogoversary!! I don't think I've remembered one of my own yet :) And you are the CC cookie queen. I'm glad you and Jessica had fun!
Yummy cookies. Happy Blogiversary.
Happy Blogiversary! Those cookies look yummy, although I don't have a mixer. Mmmm, I have eggs at home (the critical ingredient I never have), I think I might bake some cookies later today!
Happy Blogiversary! I'm in India at the moment, and haven't eaten a homemade chocolate chip cookie for over 3 months!! Enjoy them. With a tall glass of cold milk. Yum.
mmmmm...I
Happy Blogiversery! That's certainly exciting, so exciting that I'll even join in the fun. Oh, and that cookie looks delicious!
I wish I lived near by so I could take your double knitting class!
Those look SO amazing!!! Ah, the baking on your blog makes me hungry, every time. I don't know a lot of recipes with raisins in them, but I do sprinkle them into salads, and they are goo d in couscous, too. Hope that helps!
oops- I left a comment intended for another blog post (http://salihan.com/2009/05/oat-raisin-choc-chip-cookies/) on this blog- I got dazzled by cookies, and suddenly couldn't keep them straight! Thanks or the recipe for these, they look SO delicious!!
Ever since reading this NYT article, I always refrigerate my cookie dough before baking! It helps so much!
Happy Blogaversary! Thanks for the chocolate chip cookie recipe. I must try it someday. Have you tried the Cranberry Oatmeal frozen cookies from Trader Joe's? They're really good, and all you have to do is pop them in the oven for 12-14 minutes. :-)
Thanks for the recipe! I'll definitely be trying this one.
Happy Blogiversary!
Happy blogiversary, and those cookies look amazing!
I've been meaning to try out the NYT recipe, and now that I've heard one more positive review I think I'll have to!! Happy Blogiversary!
Happy blogiversary!!
And thank you for the cookie recipe to try!
Happy Blogiversary! Love your blog, and your gorgeous patterns. Can't wait to try the cookies.
Yumm.. Any blog that includes my two favorite things, knitting and eating, deserves a round of applause. Happy 4th!
Happy Blogiversary!
I would take a chewy choc cookie over any other kind any day...
Ooh and since this is my first comment...love your patterns as well :)
Love the cookie recipes. Really. Love your writing, knitting, creating, and photos, even more. Really, really.
Your blog is awesome! I trust the New York Times to print nothing but the best cookie recipe.
You look so cute in your dread falls!
I've been looking for a new Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for a while . . . I think I'll try your chewy one (very) soon.
MMMMM... cookies. Tempting crafts and cooking, too! What a great blog! ;)
Happy Blogiversary!
I super love reading your blog - awesome!!
Good times x