Saturday, June 6, 2009

My Entry Into The Longest Running Debate Ever!

Chocolate chips cookies

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

My favourite chocolate chip cookies - Bake or break - 05.11.08

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.

20 comments:

  1. hey dear gorgeous cookies..chocolate chip cookies are my fav too and yours have turned out to be perfect. Oh well m yet to find my best chocolate chip cookie recipe..will give this one a try :)

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  2. I usually use the Toll House recipe, but these sound like they would be great, too!

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  3. These look great. I love Jen's blog, too, talk about enticing photos! I have found it's even fun to "play around" with the Nestle Toll House recipe. Try adding baking powder along with the baking soda for a thicker cookie. So fun to play with recipes. Great job.

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  4. Parita - Thanks, you must try this!

    Deborah - I've used the Toll House, and loved them too. But I like these just a teeeny bit more :)

    Katrina - I totally agree. I wish I could click pictures as well as her :) Your 'playing around' idea is next on my list, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks :)

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  5. So you have entered the choc chip debate! Can't figure what the white stuff in the first photos is? Burnt white chocolate? And I don't see pecans either.

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  6. Sorry, that's an old pic, in which I used chopped cashews. As far as my knowledge goes, pecans aren't available in Mumbai, because I haven't seen them anywhere. I always substitute pecans for something else.
    Anyway, I've edited the post. Thanks for bringing it to my notice :)

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  7. Oh yum -- chocolate chip cookies -- classic and delicious!!!

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  8. Oh all right!

    Btw, you're doing a neat job picking up twitter images etc from other food blogs.

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  9. CookiePie - And the best treat ever :D

    Happy Baker - What do you mean?

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  10. Are the cookies chewy? Anyway, it doesn't really matter all kinds of cookies are good :)

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  11. It is fun trying out different chocolate chip cookie recipes! I stick with good ole Toll House. I guess I am unadventurous!

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  12. those look great! i usually just use whatever recipe is on the back of the chocolate chips :)

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  13. Jackie - They are! I can't say they are perfect, but they do have the crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside thing going for them :)

    Robin Sue - The Toll House recipe is a really good one. I'm just not satisfied with settling on one without trying the million others out there, but that's just me :P

    Hungrylikethewolf - Many times, I've done that too :)

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  14. Yummy cookies.. Its really tempting to make and to eat it too.. :) You have a nice blog on the whole. And you have started it at the right age I must say. I was so lazy when I was 19. Now I need to kick start before some one ties knots. ;) Will keep visiting to know how the little kid develops into a super cook. :)

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  15. Yummy cookies.. Its really tempting to make and to eat it too.. :) You have a nice blog on the whole. And you have started it at the right age I must say. I was so lazy when I was 19. Now I need to kick start before some one ties knots. ;) Will keep visiting to know how the little kid develops into a super cook. :)

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  16. Nithya - Thank you so much for the vote of confidence! Made me feel great :D
    I sure hope to become one. And I'm no different, I'm super lazy!

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  17. I love trying new cookies recipes! This one looks promising so I'll definitely have to bookmark it!

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  18. Tracey - Do try it soon! You'll be glad you did :)

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  19. Your cookies are so golden brown and crackly. They look amazing. "Perfect" cookies are subjective. That is for sure. I like mine to say moist once they have cooled while others like a crispy cookie. Regardless.....chocolate chip cookies anyway you eat them or like them are THE quintessential cookie. Thanks for sharing a great recipe!

    Regards,
    Amanda

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  20. Hey Avanika! Totally loved your blog.. I just can't believe that you have been baking such awesome goodies at that young an age! Kudos!

    I love food, baking and cooking too.. but a lot of times, I am scared of taking up baking everyday coz I just can't resist gobbling it up too! :D

    Keep up the good work.. you have a new follower now!

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