A Southern Grace: i did it my way

October 24, 2008

i did it my way

Yum

I know everyone was all abuzz about the NY Times recipe for chocolate chip cookies, but I didn't need to try it. Not only would all the cookie dough be gone before it ever hit the oven, but I also already have a favorite.


These puppies pack a double whammy--they have a somewhat crispy (but not break-your-teeth crunchy) edge and a fantastically chewy center that only good ol' shortening can provide. I know some folks are averse to consuming shortening, but I think it's downright essential in this cookie.

These are not for people who like a fluffy, cakey cookie, which is what I grew up eating (I love you and your fat cookies, Mammicus...). They're quite flat, but still strong enough to support the weight of all that chocolate goodness.


Speaking of chocolate, the type that you use is important too. This time around, I used a combination of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, as well as some chopped up Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolate with Cranberries, Blueberries, and Almonds. Why not?


I don't know if chilling the dough for that half-hour really makes a difference, but it's just something I've gotten into the habit of doing. If nothing else, it helps the cookies from spreading ridiculously thin as they bake.

I'm sure you all have your favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies. In fact, I've decided that a person's taste for them is as unique as her fingerprint. Until I stop stubbornly refusing to try a new recipe, this one shall remain my favorite.


I took about three dozen to work, and if it's any indication of their scrumptiousness (or perhaps my co-workers' gluttony), they were gone within three hours. This is no small feat, as there aren't that many people in this particular department, and it was 7 in the morning.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
(makes about 4 dozen 2-inch disks of drool-worthiness)

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups miscellaneous morsels

In a large bowl, beat the butter with the shortening; gradually beat in the sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, and beat into the wet mixture. Stir in the morsels and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto appropriate baking sheets. For best results, flatten to 1/2-inch thickness with a fork. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until the edges are golden and centers are still slightly underbaked. Let the little pieces of Heaven cool on the pans for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to let cool completely. Eat at least three while still warm. They're always best that way.

70 comments:

Shelley said...

Wow, I could almost taste them as I licked my computer screen. Now I have to go change my shirt, I drooled on it.

kat said...

Is it ok that I now want chocolate chip cookies for breakfast

Albany Jane said...

The last step is VERY important, I'd like to add :p

Lucy..♥ said...

Just loving your miscellaneous additions... and eating at least 3 still warm is a must!!

Anonymous said...

Oooh these look amazing! If I were looking for the perfect cookie my search would no doubt start and end in the US. I mean you guys have cookie dough ice cream so you're really serious about your cookie love!

Robin said...

I like your instructions to eat at least 3 before they cool! Best suggestion of the day!

Prudy said...

I love that Hershey's dark chocolate with the fruit and nuts. I wish you hadn't reminded me!:) Those look so delicious. I think cookies with butter and shortening come out prettier. Can I eat more than three when they come out? Oh good, at least three. I want to be sure to follow your directions!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on the shortening. I always use it in chocolate chippers.

Anonymous said...

salivating in sacramento.....

Nic said...

Ooooh, drippy, melty, warm chocolate - we LOVE it!!

anudivya said...

Eat 3 when they are warm! I love you for saying that...! :)

Rachel said...

Now this is what I call decadent :)..I wouldn't be able to stop with just one!

Pam said...

I love that picture of the melting chocolate chips. My mouth is watering and now I am craving cookies.

Deborah said...

I always do half butter and half shortening in my choc. chip cookies, so I'm right there with you! I'm thinking I need to get into the kitchen and make some cookies!

OhioMom said...

One word for these cookie pics ..... YUM!

Heather said...

wow, those look amazing. i've never used shortening in cookies, but you've convinced me! the chocolate looks so perfectly melted :)

Marjie said...

Bring me your cookies, and I'll give you some apple bread and apple squares. I don't bake cookies; something about having to make 20 dozen before they'll last an hour just leaves me unwilling ;)

Anonymous said...

i have to take the plunge, i know, and just use the shortening. but it's a big step, and butter is oh so delicious...

these look great, though. flat and a but chewy, my kinda cookie.

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Ooh, I wish I was in your office, Chocolate Chip Cookies for breakfast! Yum Yum!

Anonymous said...

Warm cookies are the very best!

Tabitha Blue said...

Oh, I'm just drooling now, thanks! I really want a cookie now! I don't even have the chocolate chips at home... haven't made it to the store yet since your last post :)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Your cookies look terrific. I like my cookies the same way crispy edge and a soft middle but I do like mine with just chocolate chips and straight "too hot to eat" out of the oven.

BTW, I don't mind eating anything that includes a little shortening to make it better!! Thx for sharing your recipe!
~ingrid

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I like the changes you made. They look awesome.

Maria said...

Glad you tried these, my mouth is watering now!! They look perfect!

The Blonde Duck said...

That gooey chocolate is calling my name...I literally just drooled on my arm... and I'm allergic!

Can you make PB cookies? :)

Rosie said...

I am fully in awe of your cookies I just can't resist chocolate!! Now I fully agree with your last step :-D

Rosie x

Mike of Mike's Table said...

Those are some beautiful looking cookies...especially those gooey shots

Suze said...

I have a bag of the Hershey's Dark under my desk here at work..what a great idea to put them in a cookie!!
The gooey shot..omg. I got chills.

vanillasugarblog said...

good grief those pics! sheesh woman!!
Love love love the mixed up morsels idea...good thinking!

krysta said...

'I'm sure you all have your favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies. In fact, I've decided that a person's taste for them is as unique as her fingerprint.'

i never thought of it that way but you are right.

Anonymous said...

oh yeah! i'm a sucker for chocolate chip cookie pictures with the melty ooey gooey chocolate!
i usually like my ratio of white to brown sugar reversed, but these look so good i just might have to try them out...shortening and all. :-)

Anonymous said...

I suddenly have a craving for chocolate chip cookies and I see nothing wrong in eating them at 7 AM. All of them. By myself. Nothing wrong at all....

Anonymous said...

I'll eat any cookie that has chocolate chips in it and won't even argue about which is best. I do love a crispy edge w/ chewy center tho, so these sound perfect. I think chilling the dough is a great idea -- it's what keeps those centers chewy. The snail mail really is shipping your book...I promise...should've had Amazon just send it to you. Oh well. Best laid plans, huh?

La Bella Cooks said...

Would it be bad if I licked the screen? I can't stop staring!

MaryBeth said...

I love chocolate chip cookies, they are my all time favorite.

Emily said...

I never get sick of ccc! These look great.

Lori said...

Your feeding your coworkers again?

I call my Mom, Mamushka, which my Father informs me that this mean fly in Italian.

I love a chocolate chip cookie, no matter how its made really.

Bunny said...

That's the way I like my cookies Grace!!! Oozing with chocolate and chewy!! I'm making these!!

pam said...

That is my kind of cookie!

Pamela said...

Your way looks pretty darned good to me!

Sandy said...

I think I need to head to the kitchen right now and make cookies! I've been craving them!

Meg said...

I love the melting chocolate in the picture! These sound just perfect with crispiness and chewiness!

Jacque said...

Mmmm, chocolate chip cookies for breakfast! There's nothing better :)

Paula said...

Oh. My. Lord. These look so good. I like how you describe the texture as having a crispy outside and chewy inside. I've not used shortening in cookies, but these look so amazing that I'll give it a try "your way"! YUM!

Vera said...

These look so yummy! I'm glad you found the perfect recipe!

giz said...

Ok, so call me stupid - I don't get it - why is shortening so much worse for you than butter. You can get zero transfat shortening.

RecipeGirl said...

Fellow cookie dough addict here... I didn't try that buzzed about recipe either. I tend to pick the recipes that no one else picks... the lonely ones.

These look yummalicious. I like your variations w/ the choc. chips.

Natalie Que said...

Ah yeah... that description is my cookie quest to a T! They are teasing and tempting me!!

test it comm said...

Those cccs look so good! Great shot of the melted gooey chocolate!

Melanie said...

THREE kinds of chocolate - and a super fancy one at that? What's not to love?

And by the way, I have to state here also that you have to be one of the most-loved food bloggers out there. You always leave comments and they are funny and unique and people just love you - just look at the number of people commenting on your posts. I love that. You are awesome.

dessert girl said...

Oh my gosh! Those look soooo good! I want cookies now!

Anonymous said...

your photos are so wonderful-and tempting me! i'm going to have to go make some chocolate chip cookies tonight!!

Anonymous said...

I love the color on these. Is it the shortening that keeps them light in color. The shot of the melting chocolate...wow...wow.

Sophie said...

These guys look like they're ready to be dunked. They look so moist and delicious :).

Marilyn said...

Wow, Grace - you threw the kitchen sink at these babies! That is some serious food p0rn - and on a Sunday morning, yet. You shameless thing. :)

maybelle's mom said...

these are stunningly delicious. wanted to make them today, now I feel even more compelled. BTW, thanks for visiting.

Leslie said...

Ohhhhh yes! Hey is these are your favorite..there is no need to change!

Peter M said...

I want these cookies now..I like that hard outside/soft inside thang...may I have another?

Mc Allen said...

OHH YES!!!!! I am off tomorrow to get the ingredients for these babies!! I just had chili and Im stuffed but I totally want these... Thanks, no really!! ;) L A

Anonymous said...

yes but how is cookie dough made with shortening? I'd like those pictures blown up into poster size and framed for my kitchen...

Anna said...

The NY Times cookies may be perfect but I still scour every cookie recipe I come across - you know, for those days that I don't want a cookie I have to chill for 36 hours, the size of my head. Ah Grace, you know my every whim..

Elle said...

I'm always trying new choc chip cookie recipes, but my good old faithful standard also has 1/2 c butter and 1/2 c shortening. It's the only way to get that crispy edge. These look so good, that i want to reach through and grab them!

Y said...

I love chewy chocolate cookies. And what timing.. I haven't baked c.c.c.'s in ages!

Anonymous said...

grace, your chocolate chip cookies look they are really the best! yummm!

Ann said...

Love the ooze and the goo - and the light color of the dough! As for the NYT cookie - they are truly nothing special, believe me. PLUS, you have to leave the dough in the fridge for like 2 days - HOW DO YOU THINK THAT FEELS FOR A DOUGH ADDICT? Exactly.

Laura said...

Even if you tried the NY Times recipe and loved it (as I did) it pays to have good second choices, because honestly I have discovered that for my cc cookies are a last minute craving thing, usually on weekend nights. These look great. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your recipe.. This looks like something i can adapt to any "miscellaneous morsels" I may have lying around.

Jeanne said...

"I'm sure you all have your favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies" - hell yes - THIS ONE! I agree that shortening is juts necessary sometimes. And those melty choc chip shots... could they get any p0rnier? Fantastic.

Anonymous said...

I adore the cookies

grace said...

Oh my..

I need these cookies..