chocolate chip cookie quest

On a sunny August day, two summers ago, I was enjoying an end of Vacation Bible School picnic. The kids were running amuck and we moms were sharing our lunches. Melissa asked if we might all like a chocolate chip cookie – made by her neighbor. Jodi and I agreed and what started as a typical day in the life of a summertime mom became the beginning of a two-year quest. The cookies were so very good– Jodi and I made up our minds– we were going to figure out how to make them.

Our first step was to quiz Melissa on what she knew… how many eggs in the recipe? Does she use more brown sugar than white? What kind of flour does she use? Do you know what kind of pans? We soaked in the information the way our children were soaking in sunshine.

We’ve spent afternoons with the 3 year-olds baking cookies trying to get the recipe just right. I bought new pans that seemed to bring in a new variable, but not necessarily improve anything. We tried baking power instead of baking soda, dark brown sugar instead of light, and melted butter instead of room temperature all in an effort to crack the code on those amazing cookies.

Lately we’ve came up with something that we think is just as good, but as time goes on the actual taste and texture of the original cookies are becoming an iconic memory. At the same time our quest has become an endearing hobby, one that my husband and kids – official tasters – have come to enjoy.

  

My Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

8 ¾ ounces flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

14 tablespoon butter

3 ½ ounces sugar

5 ¼ brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 cup chocolate chips

In a bowl mix the flour and baking soda.  Heat 10 tablespoons of butter on the stove just until it melts and has a nutty scent, then pour it into the mixing bowl and add the last 4 tablespoons. Mix until it is all melted.  Add the sugars, salt, vanilla, and eggs and mix. Let the batter rest for a few minutes (about 9).

Stir in the flour just until it is all combined, then add the chocolate chips.

Scoop out tablespoon size clumps – 8 to 12 on a pan. Bake the cookies at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes – or until they are turning golden on the top.