How to Bake for Beginners: Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's an ideal baking book for beginners, covering all the usual suspects: bars, cookies, quick breads, muffins, cakes, pies, and yeast breads. 

I've been on a quest for the best chocolate chip cookie since I was in my 30s. Why not try out Mahy Elamin's recipe: "Everyone has their own version of the best chocolate chip cookies! Mine is on the puffy side---chewy in the center and firm on the edges. These are not too dense, are studded with chocolate, and have a strong buttery flavor."

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1. Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, cream the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for about 2 minutes, or until fluffy, starting on the lowest speed and gradually increasing to the highest speed.

3. Add the egg and vanilla. Beat for another minute until smooth.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt until blended. Add the flour mixture to the butter and egg mixture and beat until the dough just comes together and looks like crumbles. It will not be smooth dough.

5. Use a spatula to fold in the chocolate chips and then use your clean hands (!) to gather the dough into one piece. Using a 1 1/2 inch ice cream scoop, scoop out individual cookies and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Do not flatten the cookies! They will spread slightly as they bake.

6. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes until the edges have set and the cookies have spread, but the centers are still soft. The cookies will be rather pale; don't wait for them to brown. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Other chocolate chip cookie recipes I have tried:

Three Good Books Read, the World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a New Grandson

The Chapter Book Club Picnic

Christmas Cookies, My Secret Santa Box, and a Holiday Selfie

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