Okay, so it’s the New Year. And with that, all the resolutions to eat right and exercise. I got it. Really, I too, have those goals. For me it’s out of necessity since I have such a deep love for cookies {and all other decadent, sweet treats}. I’m truly hoping my trips to Pilates and the gym on a regular basis pays off this year, despite my occasional cookie binge.
In all seriousness, I do try to contain myself and eat only few~making sure each member of my little family gets their fair share too. But, since I am the baker, I must also be the official taste tester. I would never want to feed my family something that isn’t delectable. Which usually means, after each batch comes out of the oven, I’m devouring a cookie from each. Making absolutely certain they were baked just right. You know, the perfect cookie, slightly crispy around the edges, soft and chewy in the center. Personally, that’s how I like my cookies. So, that is how I aim to have them turn out. Each. And. Every. Time.
I have found through all my years of baking in the kitchen, there are absolutely those tried-and-true recipes. Family favorites. Recipes you simply don’t mess with. For example, I’ve experimented with countless sugar and chocolate chip cookie recipes. However, each time I’ve strayed from the standard, go-to recipe, my family has pleaded with me to stop playing around and stay true to our best-loved formulas.
A few years ago I finally found THE chocolate chip cookie recipe. When my mother and father-in law were living by us, we’d spend our weekends visiting with them. My little family looked forward to our trips up to Nana and Gramps’ house. During our stays, Nana and Gramps would willingly babysit so that my wonderful husband and I could go on a date. We cherish those dates we went on. So much so, that more often than not, we returned home after everyone had been tucked carefully into bed. Lights out. We usually found ourselves tip-toing into the house, so not to wake all those slumbering soundly.
Inevitably, we were welcomed back, into Nana and Gramps’ cozy home, late at night with the smell of something delicious that had been baked earlier. My hubby and I would sneak into the dark kitchen to see what exactly it was without fail. One time, we were lucky and found a container filled with the most PERFECT chocolate chip cookies on the planet. They were sooooooo……goooooooooood.
Come morning, as soon as I stumbled out of bed, I went straight to my mother-in-law and asked her for this dreamy chocolate chip cookie recipe. You know what she handed me? The recipe from the back of the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” box of All-Purpose sticks. Who would’ve thought?
Since then, that is the ONLY recipe I will use when baking anyone chocolate chip cookies. I’m certain there are others out there far more amazing, but this one had the ideal balance of crispy around the edges, soft and chewy everywhere else. Most importantly, it has given me consistent results.
This past weekend I whipped up a batch of these bad boys for my family in about 10 minutes. I hate it when heavenly things are that easy to make! It’s scary actually. Please allow me share the goodness with you.
Here’s the recipe. If you haven’t tried this one, give it a whirl. See what you think!
Delicious One Bowl Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 Cup {2 sticks} I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! All Purpose Sticks
3/4 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 Cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 package {12 ounces} semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375*.
2. Beat I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! all purpose sticks with sugars in a large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in vanilla, egg and baking soda. Stir in flour until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Drop mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets.{I use parchment paper}.
4. Bake 10 minutes or until edges are golden.
5. Remove cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
6. Try not to eat the ENTIRE batch by yourself!
So there you have it. My favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. If you try ’em, I hope you love ’em!
Cookies make people happy. They put smiles on faces. Cookies are the bomb. I know Cookie Monster whole-heartedly agrees…
Happy Wednesday, all!
