My Entry Into The Longest Running Debate Ever!

Chocolate chip cookies.... Yum! Finding the best recipe has always been a huge debate, with a number of people entering/creating bake-offs, trying a number of recipes and methods [refrigerating, using melted butter etc]. The entrance of NYTimes in this debate has taken things wayy over the top, with the use of cake flour and whatnot! With this post, I guess I too have entered into this debate. Anyway, here's a recipe that is simple, like the Toll House ones, with no unusual ingredients, and always turns out.

I've always loved chocolate chip cookies. And though I've been baking for quite a while, I never got around to making cookies. I used to gorge on the store-bought ones, and though they tasted great, there was always something missing. That feeling of satisfaction and pride in eating and loving something you've made by yourself. But for some reason, I was always intimidated.
So I finally decided to take up the challenge, a little while ago, and started scouring the net for recipes. I can't even begin to describe how many different recipes I tried. After countless hours, I decided to try out Jen at Bake or Break's chocolate chip cookies. I love the site, it's got some great recipes.

These cookies turned out great :-) They were crunchy, but just so, and chewy, just how I like them. I used the tiny chocolate chips that are the only option here in India, but even with that, they were yummy.
A huge plus is that they are astonishingly easy to make even for a first-time cookie baker like me. I've made them a few times since then, and have always got consistent results. It's my favorite recipe yet. What is yours? I'd love to try out new recipes, and plunge head first into this world-wide debate :P



You can head on over to Jen's blog above for the recipe, or look below -

My Favourite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Bake or Break
Makes about 40 cookies, I got 35

• 1 cup [2 sticks/225 g] butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 & 1/2 cups uncooked regular oats [ I used quick -cooking]
• 1 & 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 ounces milk chocolate candy bar, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup chopped pecans [I've used chopped almonds, cashews etc. successfully]
  

Preheat oven to 375° F [180° C].

Beat butter at medium speed in a heavy-duty mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugars and beat well. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture and beat well.

Process oats in a food processor until finely ground. Add to butter mixture and beat well. Stir in chocolates and pecans.

Drop cookies by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly on baking sheets. Then, remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.