Chocolate Chip Cookies: Kid's Play, Happiness and a Recipe

 

In my book, Baking From My Home to Yours, I tell the story (page 139) of going to a luncheon and being surprised to find that the dessert that was passed around was mine!  In fact, the whole experience was surprising from beginning to end, since the hostess didn’t know that the recipe was mine and the chef had no idea I’d be at the lunch.  For me, it was an incredible treat – and an honor:  I was thrilled that the chef liked the cookies enough to put them on the menu.

Actually, it’s very rare that I get to taste any of my recipes made by other people.  I know people make them – friends call and you, my wonderful friends in the blogosphere, write – but generally they don’t make them for me, which is one reason why last night’s dessert, a variation on My Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, was so special.  The other reason was that the cookies were made, from start to finish, with only one or two fatherly assists, by Mitchell, a 9-year-old with definite tastes.

Because Mitchell knows what he likes, he made some decisions about the recipe.  He wanted chocolate-chip cookies, but he didn’t want “plain” cookies, so he made a Playing Around variation, Cocoa Chocolate Chip Cookies.  He likes cookies softer than crisper, so he made his a little bigger and baked them a tad less.  Because he loves cookies when the chips are gooey, he served them warm.  Finally, because he’s as busy as the rest of us, he made the dough ahead of time, shaped it into balls, refrigerated the mounds, and then popped them on the baking sheet and slid them into the oven just as we were finishing our main course. 

The cookies were a hit all around: we all loved them; I was delighted beyond measure to see Mitchell make them; and Mitchell was, like all of us bakers, so happy that he had made everyone around the table happy. It was the perfect end to a great evening.

COCOA CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Adapted from Baking From My Home to Yours, by Dorie Greenspan

Makes about 45 cookies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon salt (go for 1 1/4 teaspoons if you really like salt)

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chips, or 2 cups storebought chocolate chips or chunks

1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans

Getting ready:  Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda and keep close at hand.

Working in a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed for about 1 minute, until smooth.  Add the sugars and beat for another 2 minutes or so, until well blended.  Beat in the vanilla.  Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat for 1 minute after each egg goes in.  Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients in 3 portions, mixing only until each addition is incorporated.  On low speed, or by hand with a rubber spatula, mix in the chocolate and nuts.  (The dough can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen.  If you’d like, you can freeze rounded tablespoons of dough, ready for baking.  There’s no need to defrost before baking – just add another minute or two to the baking time.)

Spoon the dough by slightly rounded tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between spoonfuls. 

Bake the cookies – one sheet at a time and rotating the sheet at the midway point – for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are set around the edges; they may still be a little soft in the middle, and that's just fine.  Pull the sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest for 1 minute, then carefully, using a wide metal spatula, transfer them to racks to cool to room temperature.

Repeat with the remainder of the dough, cooling the baking sheets between batches.

Comments

[Phyll]

Hi Dorie! I loved the story..so much I made this recipe this afternoon with wonderful results. What a wonderful recipe this is..great results indeed!! This is a keeper for sure!!

[Dorie]

It's so great to read all your comments and to know that you were as affected as I was by Mitchell having such a great time in the kitchen. I loved hearing about how the children in your lives are learning to cook. I feel so strongly that cooking and baking are important ways to help children build self-confidence -- that they also learn the joy of sharing and bringing pleasure to others is the best bonus.

[Lynn]

How great to have such confidence baking at his age. I'm sure it helps to know you! You're book, Baking, is a wonderful confidence builder for me. I feel like you're beside me in the kitchen, helping me make delicious treats for my family. Thanks!

[Christianne]

What an adorable story! And an even cuter photo. I'm sure he'll be a fine cook someday! Actually... it sounds like he may be already. :)

[Kelly-Jane]

That's a lovely story, well done Mitchell!

I'm hoping mine will like to help (and bake herself) when she is a little older, atm she likes to tell me she's a great taster!

[Martine]

Hi Dorie, I love to see kids in the kitchen! My younger son, Dan[13] has now graduated from baking chocolate cake to cooking Sunday night suppers. He makes a wonderful devilled chicken and I always tell him what a huge blessing he will be to his wife one day!Thanks again for a great blog... I live in Botswana[Africa] and "found" you through a podcast and always look forward to reading what you have to say.podcast

[Rona]

Mitchell is way cool! I am so impressed that he made the dough ahead of time, added his fav ingredients,
baked them the way he likes them, AND had the confidence to do this all himself! Good job!
And he looks so happy offering his yummy cookies. I'm inspired to try this recipe now.

[Maria]

I am glad Mitchell is having fun in the kitchen. This is a great recipe for kids...and kids at heart!

[Brilynn]

My nephew turns 3 in June and I'm certain it won't be long before he's making your recipes too!

[gilly]

Hi Dorie! I always find it encouraging to see youngsters in the kitchen - making decisions and baking. This truly is a fantastic recipe (I've always had success with it!), and I'm so glad that Mitchell's experience was so positive - it's so important at that age!