The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

There is something just so decadent about a perfectly browned, hot, moist and fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie. I've made a lot of chocolate chip cookies and I think I've found the perfect recipe. 

This recipes includes the usual list of ingredients, but it is the way they are combined that makes this recipe unique. It takes a little more time to allow the dough to rest in between mixing, but I think it's worth the wait.

(This recipe was adapted by me from the May & June 2009 issue of Cooks Illustrated Magazine)

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 1/2 sticks salted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips (I like Ghiradelli 60% cocoa)

Preheat over to 375 degrees.

1. Heat 3 sticks of butter in a saucepan and stir until the butter starts to turn brown and have the great browned butter smell.
2.  Once butter is browned, pour it over the remaining 1/2 stick of butter in a mixing bowl and allow the butter to melt.
3. Add both sugars, salt and vanilla to the butter and mix. Add the eggs and mix for 30 seconds.
4. Let the batter sit for 3 minutes and then mix again for 30 seconds. Repeat this two times.
5. Mix in flour and baking soda.
6. Add chocolate chips and mix until combined.
7. Use a cookie scoop (mine is 3 tablespoons) to portion out dough onto baking pan.
8. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Wait until the cookies are slightly golden before pulling them from the oven. Allow the cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for three minutes after taking them out of the oven and then move them to a cooling rack.
9. Let cool slightly before eating and enjoy!

Notes:

*** Once all of the ingredients are mixed the dough will be very soft and shiny. Don't be tempted to add more flour!

*** This recipe will make around 5 dozen cookies. I usually bake a couple dozen cookies and then freeze the rest of the dough in cookie balls in freezer bags so that we have cookie dough ready whenever a craving hits.

*** I use my Kitchenaid mixer with the paddle attachment to mix the batter. Your could also use a hand mixer to combine the ingredients before adding the flour. Once you add the flour, you could mix by hand.

Let me know if you give these a try!