Contents
If you’ve been searching for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe that will make your taste buds dance with joy, look no further! In this article, you will discover the delectable and irresistible chocolate chip cookies that have been hailed as bon appétit’s best. From their golden-brown exterior to their gooey and chocolate-packed center, these cookies are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you craving for more. Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey as we unravel the secrets behind these heavenly treats. Brace yourself for a baking adventure that will elevate your cookie game to a whole new level!
Ingredients
To make bon appetit’s best chocolate chip cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
All-purpose flour
All-purpose flour serves as the base for the cookies, providing structure and texture.
Baking soda
Baking soda helps the cookies rise and gives them a soft and chewy texture.
Salt
Salt enhances the flavor of the cookies and brings out the sweetness of the chocolate.
Unsalted butter
Unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the cookies. Make sure to use room temperature butter for easy mixing.
Granulated sugar
Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps the cookies spread while baking.
Brown sugar
Brown sugar adds moisture and richness to the cookies, giving them a delicious caramel-like flavor.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies and adds a delightful aroma.
Large eggs
Eggs bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cookies.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are the star of the show, adding pockets of gooey chocolate to each bite.
Chopped chocolate
In addition to chocolate chips, chopped chocolate chunks add extra texture and a rich chocolate flavor.
Flaky sea salt
Flaky sea salt sprinkled on top of the cookies before baking creates a delightful salty-sweet contrast.
Preparation
To make these mouthwatering cookies, follow these steps:
Preheat oven
Preheat your oven to the specified temperature mentioned in the recipe. This ensures that the cookies bake evenly.
Whisk dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that these dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Cream butter and sugars
In a separate large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Creaming involves beating the butter and sugars until they are light and fluffy. This step creates a creamy base for the cookies.
Add eggs and vanilla extract
Once the butter and sugars are creamed, add in the large eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. The eggs provide moisture and structure to the dough, while the vanilla extract adds a delicious aroma.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. It’s important not to overmix at this stage to avoid tough cookies.
Stir in chocolate chips and chopped chocolate
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped chocolate. The combination of both types of chocolate provides a delightful mix of melty pockets and chocolate chunks in each cookie.
Chill the dough
Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to develop and the dough to firm up. Chilled dough also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Preheat oven again
Once the dough has chilled, preheat your oven for the second time before baking the cookies. This ensures that the oven is at the correct temperature for optimal baking.
Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each cookie for them to spread. Bake the cookies for the specified time in the recipe or until golden brown around the edges.
Finish with flaky sea salt
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, sprinkle them with a pinch of flaky sea salt. This adds a delicious touch of saltiness that complements the sweetness of the cookies.
Tips for Perfect Cookies
To achieve the best possible chocolate chip cookies, keep the following tips in mind:
Use room temperature ingredients
Ensure that all your ingredients, especially the butter and eggs, are at room temperature. Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and result in a more consistent dough.
Measure ingredients accurately
Accurate measurements are key to achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Use measuring cups and spoons specifically designed for dry or wet ingredients to ensure precision.
Cream the butter and sugars thoroughly
Take the time to cream the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the dough, resulting in a softer and lighter texture.
Chill the dough before baking
Chilling the cookie dough allows the flavors to meld together and the fats to solidify. This prevents excessive spreading during baking and results in cookies with a more concentrated flavor.
Pay close attention to baking times to avoid overbaking the cookies. Remove them from the oven when they are golden brown around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Use a combination of chocolate chips and chopped chocolate
For the ultimate chocolatey experience, use both semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped chocolate in the cookie dough. This combination provides a variety of textures and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
Finish with flaky sea salt
To elevate the flavor profile of the cookies, finish them off with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt immediately after baking. This adds a delightful salty crunch that balances the sweetness of the cookies.
Variations
While bon appetit’s best chocolate chip cookies are undeniably delicious, there are various ways to experiment and create unique cookie variations. Here are some ideas to try:
For all the chocolate lovers out there, add cocoa powder to the dough and increase the amount of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. This results in rich, double chocolate cookies that are incredibly decadent.
Add a twist to the classic recipe by incorporating chunky peanut butter into the dough. The crunchy peanuts will add texture and a delightful nutty flavor to the cookies.
Combine the best of both worlds by adding oats to the cookie dough. The addition of oats provides a chewy texture and adds a touch of heartiness to the cookies.
Add a refreshing twist to the cookies by mixing in mint extract and adding green food coloring to the dough. The combination of mint and chocolate creates a delightful flavor combination reminiscent of a classic ice cream favorite.
Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips and fold in some chopped macadamia nuts. The creamy sweetness of the white chocolate perfectly complements the rich and buttery macadamia nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about making and customizing chocolate chip cookies:
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While margarine can be substituted for butter in certain recipes, it is not recommended for chocolate chip cookies. Butter provides superior flavor and texture, resulting in a better overall cookie experience.
Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet?
Yes, you can definitely use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate in your cookies. Dark chocolate will provide a slightly more intense and robust flavor.
Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling the dough is highly recommended as it helps the flavors develop and prevents excessive spreading during baking. Skipping this step may result in cookies that spread too much and have a less concentrated flavor.
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, bon appetit’s best chocolate chip cookies can be enjoyed for up to one week. However, it’s unlikely they will last that long!
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough for later use. Simply scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until firm, and then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator before baking as usual.
What can I substitute for eggs?
If you need to make the cookies egg-free, you can use a suitable egg substitute such as applesauce, mashed bananas, or a commercial egg replacer. Keep in mind that the texture and taste of the cookies may be slightly different when eggs are omitted.
Troubleshooting
Encountering some issues with your chocolate chip cookies? Here are some common problems and their solutions:
If your cookies spread too much during baking, it could be due to the dough being too warm or insufficient chilling time. Make sure to chill the dough adequately and ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before baking.
Dry cookies can occur when the dough is overmixed or overbaked. Be sure to mix the dough until just combined and remove the cookies from the oven when they are golden brown around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
If your cookies didn’t spread enough, it could be due to not creaming the butter and sugars thoroughly or an insufficient amount of baking soda. Ensure that the butter and sugars are creamed until light and fluffy and that you are using the correct amount of baking soda.
Burning cookies can happen if the oven temperature is too high or if the cookies are left in the oven for too long. Double-check your oven temperature and be sure to remove the cookies from the oven as soon as they are golden brown around the edges.
If your cookies turn out too sweet, you can try reducing the amount of granulated sugar or swapping it out for a less sweet alternative like coconut sugar. It’s important to note that altering the sugar content may affect the texture and spreading of the cookies.
Healthier Alternatives and Substitutions
If you’re looking to make a healthier version of chocolate chip cookies, here are some alternatives and substitutions to consider:
Whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour
Replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and nutrients. Keep in mind that the cookies may have a slightly denser texture.
Coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar
Swap out the granulated sugar with coconut sugar, a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index. Coconut sugar adds a rich caramel flavor to the cookies.
Replacing butter with coconut oil
For a dairy-free option, replace the unsalted butter with coconut oil. Make sure to use solid coconut oil rather than the liquid form to maintain the consistency of the dough.
Using dark chocolate with higher cocoa percentage
Opt for dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage to increase the antioxidant content and decrease the sugar content of the cookies.
Reducing the sugar content
To cut down on the overall sweetness of the cookies, you can reduce the amount of sugar called for in the recipe. Experiment with gradually decreasing the sugar until you find a level that suits your taste preferences.
History and Fun Facts
Chocolate chip cookies have a rich history and are loved by people of all ages. Here are some interesting facts about these delectable treats:
The chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. She owned the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, and one day, while making her popular butterscotch nut cookies, she ran out of baker’s chocolate. Ruth then decided to chop up a semisweet chocolate bar into small pieces, expecting it to melt and distribute throughout the dough. However, the chocolate chunks retained their shape and became a hit, leading to the creation of the world’s first chocolate chip cookie.
Ruth Wakefield’s recipe for chocolate chip cookies was published in newspapers across the United States, gaining immense popularity. The recipe caught the attention of Nestle, and they struck a deal with Ruth to print her recipe on their chocolate bar packaging. In return, she received a lifetime supply of chocolate, and the recipe became known as the Toll House cookie, named after the inn she owned.
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
Every year on August 4th, people celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. It’s a day dedicated to indulging in and appreciating the classic chocolate chip cookie in all its delicious glory. From homemade treats to store-bought favorites, this day is all about savoring this timeless dessert.
In 2003, the world’s largest chocolate chip cookie was created, weighing a whopping 40,000 pounds! Measuring 102 feet in diameter, this colossal cookie required almost 12,000 pounds of chocolate chips, 18,000 pounds of dough, and countless hours to bake. It was quite the feat and celebrated the beloved tradition of chocolate chip cookies on a grand scale.
Conclusion
Now armed with the knowledge of bon appetit’s best chocolate chip cookies, you can embark on a baking adventure that is sure to delight both your taste buds and those of your lucky friends and family. With the perfect balance of sweetness, chewiness, and melty chocolate goodness, these cookies are truly irresistible. So preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and let the aroma of freshly baked cookies fill your home. Happy baking!
