chocolate chips

RECIPE: BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

We all have our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe that is our go-to. Jenni’s is soft and chewy with a brown sugar flavor, while mine is salty, chewy, and crisp on the edges. I have this dough in my fridge most of the time, just ready to scoop out what we want at the moment. So good for those late night cravings or for your kids after school treat!
I’ve made these with lots of variations as far as add-ins. These are perfect with just bittersweet chocolate chips, but I also love to add dried cherries… trust me on this one. So. Freaking. Good.
Although this has the most amazing flavor, you really need to let the dough refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Sorry. But it makes a huge difference. We’ve found that three days has the best flavor.
RECIPE and super helpful TIPS below!
PS. the towel is from my sweet friend’s company Earthin’ Out!
RECIPE:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
*Need to refrigerate at least 24 hours
– 2 c. minus 2 tbsp cake flour
– 1 2/3 c. bread flour
– 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
– 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
– 2 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temp
– 1 1/4 c. light brown sugar
– 1 c. plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar
– 2 eggs, room temp
– 2 tsp vanilla
– 1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips
– additional mix-ins if you want! The cookies pictured have crushed Heath bar pieces and chocolate chips.
– a pinch of fleur de sel or kosher salt for tops of cookies
INSTRUCTIONS
– cream butter and sugar for 5 minutes
– combine all dry ingredients besides mix-ins while you wait
– add in eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar, mix well in between
– add vanilla
– slowly add flour mixture
– when there’s only a little bit of flour left, add in the toppings and mix until JUST combined. Do not overmix at this point
– press saran wrap on the dough in the bowl and refrigerate at least 24 hours for best flavor (more in tips)
– when ready to bake, set oven to 350. Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop out dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
– bake 16-18 minutes or until edges are golden and the center looks light
– sprinkle immediately with a little kosher salt or fleur de sel
– let cool on the tray for about 5 minutes, then slide the parchment paper off to cool completely… or eat warm… you’re welcome.
TIPS:
* Though the dough tastes amazing RIGHT away, you need to refrigerate for at least 24 hours for the best flavor when you bake. Three days is best! Just trust me!!
* Only scoop out what you want to eat! We keep the bowl of dough in the fridge with saran wrap pressed down on top of the dough. Just scoop out and bake what you want to eat at the moment. No need to let the dough come to room temp first.
* If you bake all the cookies and don’t eat right away, freeze them immediately to keep fresh. These are amazing fresh out of the oven, but get stale VERY quickly.
* Bittersweet chocolate chips are best with this in my opinion. The cookie is already sweet- it doesn’t need sugary sweet chocolate in there too. I love 60% Ghirardelli.
* A good cookie starts with good ingredients. Use GOOD vanilla, good butter, etc. It only makes sense right? What you put in, you get out.
* A sprinkling of fleur de sel on top after the cookies finished baking really brings out the chocolate flavor.
Enjoy!
-L

RECIPE: THE BEST EVER OATMEAL COOKIE

I am a cookie snob. And I’m telling you… these are the BEST oatmeal cookies ever. I guess that’s bragging, but I’ve gotta share the love with you! I’ve tried to copy them from my fav bakery, Wild Plum, in Pacific Grove, CA where my husband and I lived before moving to Nashville. I can’t quite get the consistency the same, but the flavors are all there. In fact, every year we visit and if they don’t have them out… I beg them to make a batch before I leave town, and they always do!
You can use any mix-ins you like with these oatmeal cookies! This is just a great base. I used bittersweet chocolate chips, dried apricots, and dried tart cherries. If I’m not using apricots and using chocolate chips or m&m’s instead, I like to omit the cinnamon. Just doesn’t have the right flavor profile!
Please make sure to note that you need to let the dough refrigerate for at least 2 hours. I know…torture. You can eat the dough in the meantime. The longer you leave the dough, the better the flavors will combine. 12 hours is great, 24 hours is better. If you bake after 1 or 2 hours they’ll taste great but the dough will spread out pretty thin. I’ll stop blabbing… scroll down for recipe!

RECIPE:

The Best Ever Oatmeal Cookie

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
3/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg, room temp
1 tsp good vanilla
1 1/2 cups + 1/8 cup bread flour
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I omit if using only chocolate mix-ins or if I’m not adding apricots)
fleur de sel / kosher salt
Optional mix-ins:
dried apricots, quartered
dried tart cherries
bittersweet chocolate chips
m&m’s
(I use 1 cup apricots, 1/4 cherries, 1/4 chocolate chips)

Directions:

1. Mix together dry ingredients and mix-ins in a separate bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugars for 5 minutes.
3. Add egg and mix until combined. Add vanilla.
4. Add dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Press plastic wrap down directly on the dough then cover the bowl. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours
(12-24 hrs is best for flavor and texture!)
6. Scoop 2″ balls and pack firmly together*
7. Bake 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes until edges are browned and the tops are starting to brown.
8. Sprinkle tops with fleur de sel or kosher salt and let the cookies cool on the tray for 10 minutes.
Eaaaaaaat!
*Bake only what you want to eat at that time for the freshest experience! Dough keeps really well in the fridge for a week.
-L