Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies (America's Test Kitchen)

blucoat's Note:

These are really wonderful large, thick, and chewy cookies with a deep caramel flavour due to the unusual step of browning the butter . The recipe is from Cooks Illustrated Magazine (May/June 2009).

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 16 very la ...

• 1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (8 3/4 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (5 1/4 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli recommended) or 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli recommended)
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional) or 3/4 cup walnuts, toasted (optional)

Directions:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18- by 12- inch) baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.
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.
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.
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.).
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 seet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.

Reviews

[Andrea G.]

Definitely not for dieters with the amount of butter! But who wants to eat diet cookies anyway. These were FANTASTIC! You can really taste the carmelly butter flavor. I followed the recipe to a "t" and they came out perfect. I highly suggest toasting the nuts if you decide to use them--it really makes a difference!

[hushpuppy22]

Honestly, this is the very best chocolate chip cookie I have ever TASTED, much less made! It's phenomenal and worth the extra it takes to brown the butter and mix the butter/sugar mixture three times.

[Jillster]

These cookies are chewy in the center and crisp on the edges. Not soft or cakey at all. They are very flavorful---the browned butter gives them a great caramel/toffee taste. Thanks for posting!