*crispy waffle*

I can bet nine times out of ten when I ask my kids what they want for dessert (and I'm in the mood to make it, that is) that they will ask for the same thing: chocolate chip cookies. Somehow this isn't surprising, even though I make tons of their other favorites: rice pudding, brownies, various tarts, ice cream even. Is it a lack of creativity? Or is it true that Americans are always craving chocolate chip cookies? (Actually, when their friends are over, none of whom are American, this is the one thing besides popcorn that they can all agree on eating).

I earlier posted a recipe on chocolate chip cookies, but this is the version that I almost always go to. A couple of key things: make sure to toast the nuts first (if you are using them). This makes a huge difference in flavor. This recipe, which I've adapted and adjusted from The Best Recipe, creates not-too-sweet cookies that are chewy, rather than crispy. Do take them out of the oven earlier rather than later-- if you overbake them, they will end up crunchy later on. (They are still great later on, but I won't lie; they are definitely best a few minutes out of the oven.)

A few weeks ago I was watching the movie Stranger Than Fiction. (Aside: I found that movie, cliched title and all, to be really inventive, funny and touching. Totally underrated!) In a pivotal scene, Maggie Gyllenhaal, playing a baker, gives Will Ferrell's character chocolate chip cookies. (Another funny aside: in the movie she is a tax-evading lefty kook. The name of her bakery? The Uprising.) Here is where both Kyle and I got distracted: the cookie looked great, but it was so so tiny! We were like, "what kind of baker bakes choco chip cookies the size of a dime?" Anyway, with these, you won't have a problem. Just dole at least a tablespoonful for each cookie and they will be nice and big, and taste just as good as that Stranger Than Fiction cookie looked.

Classic chocolate chip cookies
makes about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients
2/3 cup (150 grams) butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
3/4 cup (150 grams) packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup (75 grams) granulated sugar
1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons (235 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (150 grams) chocolate chips
1/2 cup (50 grams) chopped walnuts (or pecans or almonds)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
Combine the cooled melted butter with the white and brown sugar in the mixing bowl of a stand or hand mixer. Mix at low speed.
Add the eggs and vanilla and beat at low speed until combined. Scrape down the bowl and add the flour mixture. Beat together at low speed only until just combined. Stir in the nuts and chocolate chips.
Drop the dough in one-tablespoon portions onto the baking sheet, leaving a bit of space around each cookie. Bake for 15 minutes.
Remove to a cooling rack and serve warm and gooey.

Labels: recipes, the chocolatey, the sweet

posted by sheryl | 12:27 PM |

Those look like awesome cookies. I printed out the recipe so I could try them. I also have a little question for you. I don't know if you take requests, but I was hoping to find a really good rice pudding recipe. I've been trying to find one, but with not a lot of luck. When I saw that you said you cook it for your kids, I thought maybe I'd ask you for your recipe. :) But if it's a family secret one or something, I totally understand. Keep up the great recipes!!
By

Kathleen 3/4/08 4:29 AM

Hi Kathleen--
Thanks for your comment. Yes, in fact I do have a rice pudding recipe that my kids love, and it is super easy to make. I will be sure to post it. Thanks for the suggestion-- I'll make it my next post.
By

sheryl 3/4/08 10:39 AM

Sounds fantastic! Can't wait to try them out with my kids; they're always asking for "american chocolate chip cookies" here, and I have my inlaws ship toll house morsels on a regular basis. ;)

One question; where here do you find baking soda? I've looked in a ton of places, but can't seem to put my hands on some. Even the expat shop in Leiden didn't carry it. (I live in the Leiden area)

Great blog! Bookmarking it and looking forward to reading it when the kids go to bed.
By

DutchAmy 3/10/08 9:52 AM

Hi DutchAmy,
Thanks for the comment. I've noticed that in any of the Asian/Oriental grocery stores in Den Haag, you can buy baking soda. I'm guessing if you have one of those in Leiden, you can find it there. Let me know if you come across it! The other thing to note is that often times in the expat stores it is labeled "sodium bicarbonate", but it is the same thing: baking soda.
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sheryl 3/10/08 1:39 PM

I loved that movie too! Especially because of the food. Someone on my blog actually told me about the scene where he buys her all the different kinds of flours. So sweet! And one of my favorite quotes is from that movie. When she says, "Pick up the cookie, dip it in the milk and eat it." : )
By

Anali 4/11/08 4:06 PM