Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Behold, the perfect chocolate chip cookie! Does one even really exist? Some people like thick and chewy cookies while others prefer thin and crispy cookies. Whichever you prefer, the folks at Cook's Illustrated claim they have created the perfect chocolate chip cookie-one with a crisp outside and a soft inside and a deep butterscotch flavor. In case you haven't notices, I'm by nature and name a doubting Thomas. I just had to find out for myself if the experts were stretching the truth just a bit.

I decided to follow the recipe exactly as written and see what happens. After all, that's why I write this blog, isn't it?

Find the complete recipe here, at Cook's Illustrated's website.

I started by measuring all of the ingredients, or "mis en place" as the professionals say. When translated, mis en place loosely means to put in place or make ready. I measured the flour as I always do, by lightly spooning it into a measuring cup and using the back of a butter knife to scrape off the excess. I then weighed the flour and found that I was tad on the scant side. The recipe calls for 1 3/4 cups or 8 3/4 ounces of flour. I was coming up short with just under 8 ounces. I added more flour to the scale until it read 8 3/4 ounces which turned out to be 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons.

Mise en place













With ingredients neatly measured out I was ready to get down to brass tacks by putting it all together. The recipe instructed me to heat 10 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat until until it melts and turns a dark, nutty brown.











With the butter melting on top of the stove, I decided it was a good time to toast the walnuts. My oven was preheated so I tossed the nuts onto a rimmed cookie sheet and popped them into the oven for about five minutes. Talk about multi-tasking. I felt like a juggler in my own kitchen circus. Viola! Like magic, the butter darkened as I swirled the pan. Luckily I stopped the browning process before the butter burned.

I'm really liking this recipe, I thought. I added 4 additional tablespoons of butter to the browned butter and once melted, I added the sugars, salt, and vanilla. Next came the egg and egg yolk and then I whisked it all together. The aroma was heavenly. It looked and smelled just like homemade caramel-smooth, rich, and decadent. I couldn't wait to dive in to the batter with a spoon but I restrained myself. I added the flour next as the recipe directed and then the chocolate chips and the toasted nuts.

Ready for the Oven













Baked and Ready to Cool













I couldn't wait to try these large, perfectly shaped, picture perfect cookies. Would they truly be the best chocolate chip cookie EVER? I poured a tall glass of milk and broke apart one for closer inspection. The nut to chip to cookie ratio was excellent. I hate an unbalanced cookie! I bit in and savored the flavor. Wow, these cookies were amazing. With a rich, buttery, chocolate flavor these cookies are-dare I say it-are as close to perfect as perfect can be. Try the recipe for yourself. I already hear you making the yum noise as you reach for seconds.

Cookie press rating: 5 cookies (out of 5)

Hamantaschen

Hamantaschen are pastry-like, triangle-shaped, cookies that are popular this time of year. Traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim, hamantaschen are formed by rolling the dough, cutting circles with a round cookie cutter, filling them with any one of a number of delicious fillings (poppy seed, apricot, or raspberry) and folding the circles into triangles. Does it sound difficult? It's really not. Don't let the multi-step process mess with your head. Let's make hamantaschen. I'll walk you through the process every step of the way. I promise.

Hamataschen
This recipe is adapted from Carole Walter's Great Cookies cookbook.

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 sticks cold, unsalted butter cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cans Solo filling (I used poppy seed and apricot)

Egg Wash
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons sugar

Lightly beat the egg whites with the sugar until well blended and sugar has dissolved.

Step 1:
Make the Dough
Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse two or three times to combine. [If you don't own a food processor, whisk ingredients together in a large bowl.]

Add butter and pulse five times. Process 5 seconds longer to form a sand-like consistency. [Or add butter to the bowl and break up butter pieces with your fingers while incorporating the butter into the flour. Keep pulling flour from the bottom of the bowl to thoroughly mix as if you were making pie dough.]















Place the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla into a small bowl and mix with a fork to combine. Pour mixture into the processor and pulse four or five times, then process until the dough comes together. [or add the eggs, egg yolks and vanilla and gently mix with a spoon until the dough forms] Be careful not to over process the dough. Pour dough onto lightly floured work surface and form two disks, roughly the same size. Flour hands as needed if dough is sticky. Wrap disks individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or for up to 3 days.














Step 2:
Roll the Dough

Line two or three baking sheets with parchment paper and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough on a flat surface or on a pastry cloth to a 3/16 inch thickness. Use flour as needed to prevent sticking.

Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut circles of dough and place them on cookie sheets. If you don't have a 3-inch cookie cutter, substitute the top edge of a drinking glass or cut a 3-inch piece of cardboard and use a paring knife to cut circles. You may collect scraps and roll them once more. Try not to over handle the dough which will make your cookies tough.

Step 3:
Fill the Cookies
Spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling onto each piece of dough. Then brush the perimeter of each circle with the egg wash. Lift dough to partially cover the filling, creating a triangle shape. The easiest way I found to do this was to use my two thumbs to lift dough from the bottom edge. Then use your index fingers on each hand to gently lift the dough at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. Pinch corners together to form a triangle and bush dough with egg wash.















Step 4:
Bake (you're almost home)
Bake cookies for 15 to 18 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown. If baking two pans at a time, rotate sheets from top to bottom and front to back midway through baking. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheets for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool completely.

Step 5:
Pat yourself on the back or get someone to do it for you. You've just made a delicious batch of hamantaschen!

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You may also freeze them.

Cookie Press Press

The Cookie Press got some press of its own a few months back when a friend and former colleague wrote about me sending him some cookies to show my gratitude. Josh's blog, Scribble Scribble is about everything, and nothing. It's kind of like the first line of A Tale of Two Cities. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ..." Basically, I'm not sure what his blog is about. I guess you could say it's about Josh's random thoughts on life.

For all you can lovers, Josh posts pictures of cats on his blog on Fridays. I'm sure he'd love to post your beloved cat pictures (no dogs). Send photos to joshwimmer@gmail.com.

To read what Josh had to say about his Cookie Press cookies, click on ...

http://www.scribblescribblescribble.com/blog/2011/01/props-to-the-cookie-press/

Chocolate Tuiles

This week I decided to try a new type of cookie that I have never done before. Feeling adventurous, I headed to the kitchen and prepped the ingredients to make tuiles. For all you non-Francophiles, tuiles is pronounced "tweel." If you've never had a tuiles, you're in for a treat. These ultra-thin cookies are crispy and packed with flavor. After you eat a few you almost forget they are cookies. I started thinking they were potato chips. Traditionally the edges turn up slightly (much like the nose of a Frenchman as he gently sniffs the aroma of a fine wine). Luckily the curled edges aren't essential to the taste because I failed miserably when I tried to curl the piping hot cookies without burning my fingers. After a few tries I just gave up. However, I did manage 1 or 2 that looked decent. Oh, and don't try to underbake them thinking that would make them easier to roll. It doesn't and you just end up with a mess and a greater sense of frustration and failure.

There are many great variations on tuiles in a book called Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your Mouth Cookies.

Cocoa Tuiles

4 tablespoons butter, melted and still very warm, plus extra for greasing pan liners
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup natural cocoa powder (Hershey's will work perfectly)
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large egg whites
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven or in the middle if you plan to bake only one tray at a time.

Line baking sheets with heavy duty foil, dull side up

Whisk together melted butter, sugar, cocoa and salt. Whisk in egg whites. Add flour and whisk only until combined. Let rest 10 minutes or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Drop level teaspoonfuls of batter about 3 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Using a small offset spatula or back of a spoon, spread the batter evenly into 3 inch rounds, about 1/16 inch thick.

Bake, watching carefully for 10 - 12 minutes, until the edges are slightly darker than the rest of the cookie. If baking 2 pans, rotate from top to bottom and front to back midway through baking time. It's important to bake cookies thoroughly or they will not be crispy when cooled.

Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month but I can assure you they will last only a few days at the very most.

If you're interested in learning how to shape the cookies, you may want pick up the book I mentioned above by author Alice Medrich.

As cookies came out of the oven I sprinkled them with sea salt which was just enough to give them a wonderful salty/sweet taste.

I would love to hear from you about your attempts to curl the edges. Let me know if you were successful.

Cookie Press Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

Fresh Baked Cookies Anytime

It's so easy to produce fresh baked cookies on a whim if you just take a few minutes to prepare ahead of time.

Make a batch of drop cookies such as chocolate chip, sugar, or gingersnaps as directed in the recipe. Then instead of baking, shape into balls and place on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Store in plastic bags in the freezer. Be sure to label the bags with the name of the cookie and date. Store for up to 3 months in double-wrapped plastic freezer bags.

Baker's Tip: Also label the bag with the baking instructions (15 min. @ 350 degrees). You won't need to search for the recipe when it's time to bake.

Remove the cookies and let thaw for about fifteen minutes while the oven warms. You may need to add 1 or 2 minutes to the baking time to account for the partially frozen cookies.


Ready for the Freezer















I made these pecan sandies which freeze well and are easy to make.

Pecan Sandies

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup pecans, medium chopped

Beat butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt. Mix until incorporated. With mixer on low, add flour, beating until just combined. Remove bowl from mixer and add pecans, gently folding them into the dough.

Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on two baking sheets. Freeze as directed above or bake immediately. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a damp glass (to avoid sticking).

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake until cookies are golden brown, 15 - 17 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.
Transfer to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

I used to love Nutter Butters as a kid. When I was allowed to choose a cookie in the supermarket, I almost always chose the peanut-shaped, peanut butter filled, crunchy cookies. I sometimes dipped them into a glass of milk. If I was feeling destructive, I would split them and carefully lick the filling. Other times I would just inhale them and then try to remember what they tasted like. I was pretty normal as a child.

I was wondering if I could recreate these in my own kitchen so I found a recipe for Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies and got right to work.

This recipe makes a nice, softer version of the original Nutter Butter. I didn't bother to try to shape them like a peanut or to make a faux peanut shell on the outside of the cookie. No, I'll leave that to the folks at Nabisco.

Truth be told, these aren't much like Nutter Butters at all. I guess some childhood memories aren't meant to be copied in the kitchen. The next time I'm in the cookie aisle I'll pick up a package, sit myself down at the kitchen table, pour a tall glass of milk and try to relive some childhood memories.

Baker's Tip: Allow at least an hour of freeze time before you try to slice the cookie dough. Reshape the sliced cookies as needed so they retain their rectangular shape. And try not to eat too much dough as you go!

Ready for the Oven














The recipe is from a past issue of Everyday Food, a Martha Stewart production.

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
1 large egg
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar

In a small bowl, whisk together baking soda, salt, and 2 cups flour. Set aside.
I a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup of peanut butter until light and fluffy. Bean in egg. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and beat until just combined.

Form dough into two 8-inch long rectangular logs. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350. With a sharp knife, slice dough 1/4 inch thick and place on baking sheets approximately 1 inch apart. Turn dough and reshape as needed while slicing the cookies so that they retain their shape. Bake until cookies are puffed, about 12 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway if baking two at a time.
Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Filling: In a saucepan, whisk milk, and 2 tablespoons flour over medium heat until thickened, about 2 minutes. Let cool. In a mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup peanut butter and granulated sugar. Beat in cooled milk mixture.

Assemble Cookies: Spread smooth sides (bottoms) of half the cookies with 1 tablespoon filling. Sandwich with remaining cookies.

These cookies are best eaten within a day or two but will store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days.

Cookie press rating: 3 cookies (out of 5)

Cowgirl Cookie Party

My friend Wendy came to me a few months ago to ask if I would help create a cookie party for her daughter Madeline's 6th birthday. I jumped on board with the plan since I thought it is high time cookies take the spotlight at birthday parties. Who needs the dry old cake with super sweet icing. It's time for a cookie party revolution! And I thought it would be fun, which it definitely was.

Wendy and I met a for lunch a few times to plan the party. First up we need to find space to accommodate our group of 17, six year olds and their parents. In case you weren't aware, it's tough to plan kid parties in New York unless you have oodles of money to rent party space and/or lots of space in your apartment. Creative and resourceful Wendy found a great party place, Cowgirl, a West Village restaurant staple for as long as I can remember. The decor is totally hoe down kitsch with western-themed tchotchkes on the walls. Their party room was perfect for hosting our crowd of 30 and the staff couldn't have been any nicer.



The Plan

Now with a western theme under way, Wendy readied the e-invitations and I got to work on the supplies. First, I hit one of my favorite cooking/baking supply stores in the city, Broadway Panhandler, which oddly is not located on Broadway (it used to be). I picked up three cookie cutters-a boot, a horse, and a cacti. Two days before the party I made about 35 cutouts and used my letters to create cookies to spell out Happy Birthday!

On the day of the party we set up cookie decorating work stations at a long table. Each station contained a placemat, paper plate, and cookies. The center of the table was lined with squeeze bottles filled with brightly colored royal icing so the kids could easily grab the colors they liked. I made sure the icing was on the runny side so that it oozed out of the bottles (just a tad thicker than the consistency of white glue). We also included cupcake wrappers filled with various colored sprinkles and toppings placed along the center of the table within easy reach for short arms.














































The kids had a ball decorating cookies! Some kids carefully dotted the cookies with icing while others just poured it on like they were putting maple syrup on pancakes. Whatever the technique, the creations were unique, colorful, and delicious. We wrote each child's name on the bottom of their paper plate and moved the plates to quiet corner of the room to dry while lunch was served. The icing hardened fairly quickly in time for us to place the cookies in cellophane bags as a take away. Wendy also provided gift bags with toys and nifty items. One of the dads entertained the posse with balloon twisty sculptures. A pinata took a beating before it ruptured, spilling its sweet guts all over the floor.

The whole party was two hours. Just long enough to get in all of the action on a cold winter day in the city.
















Create Your Own Cookie Party

Here's a list of what you'll need:

cookie cutters (medium size)
sugar cookie dough (2 or 3 batches depending on how many cookie decorators you have)
cupcake wrappers (foil wrappers work best)
plastic squeeze tubes - enough for each child to have one to start (available from Michael's Crafts or by Wilton baking products)
paper plates
table covering for easy cleanup
cellophane bags with ties or ribbon to close
stick on tags to label bags

Two or three days in advance, make cookie dough and refrigerate. One day before roll the dough, bake cookies and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Sugar Cookie Cut Outs

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together and set aside.
Cream butter and sugar together in a mixer until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla, mix well.

Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed until ingredients come together.
Do not over mix.

Roll out dough until between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick, cut into shapes and transfer to parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned around the edges. Let cookies cool on try for about a minute and remove to wire racks to finish cooling.

Royal Icing
2 large egg whites
1 pound confectioners' sugar
food coloring or gel paste, which is more concentrated.
warm water as needed (add by the teaspoon) to achieve desired consistency

Beat egg whites, sugar, and 2 teaspoons water on low speed for 10 minutes. For thicker icing continue to beat 2 or 3 minutes more. Transfer to smaller bowls and add food coloring as desired. If icing is too thick, add a drop or two of water to thin. Immediately spoon into plastic bottles and securely fasten with lids. Do not expose icing to the air as it will harden. Royal icing will keep in the fridge for a few days so you can make this ahead.


On party day, set up each child's workstation with a few cookies on a plate, and decorating items like sprinkles. If children are older, you may want to provide offset spatulas or butter knifes to assist in decorating.

My advice is to keep it simple and just have fun!

And Happy 6th Birthday Madeline!