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The Melaniff Family Cookbook

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Cook’s Illustrated, May 2009

This recipe aims to perfect the back-of-the-bag classic with a cookie that was crisp at the edges, chewy in the middle, and full of rich toffee flavor.

Ingredients

1 ¾ C unbleached all-purpose flour (8 3/4 ounces)

½ t baking soda

14 T unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks)

½ C granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)

¾ C dark brown sugar packed (5 1/4 ounces)

1 t salt

2 t vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 ¼ C semisweet chocolate chips or chunks

¾ C chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)

Procedure

  1. 1.Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375°F. Line 2 large (18- by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.


  1. 2.Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.


  1. 3.Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if using), giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.


  1. 4.Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (or use #24 cookie scoop). Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet. (Smaller baking sheets can be used, but will require 3 batches.)


  1. 5.Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.

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