ATK's Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Hubs and I were both in the mood for cookies earlier this week. Luckily, a recent issue of Cooks Illustrated had their version of the "perfect" chocolate chip cookie. Their recipe calls for browning the butter, giving the cookies an even more caramely flavor. The recipe testers also strived for a crackly surface, which worked on one of the cookie sheets we used, but not as much on the other cookie sheet.

The cookies came out gigantic, but I should have expected that since the whole batch made only 16 cookies total. I'm not sure that they attained perfection, but they sure hit the spot.


Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
from Cooks Illustrated
May/June 2009

1 3/4 c unbleached flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
14 Tbs (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 c sugar
3/4 c packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 375 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with
parchment paper.

Whisk flour and baking soda in a medium bowl; set aside.

Heat 10 Tbs butter in a skillet over medium high heat until melted. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown. Remove skillet from heat and transfer browned butter to a large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 Tbs butter into the hot butter until completely melted.

Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter, and whisk until fully mixed. Add egg and
yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds.
Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny.
Using a rubber spatula, stir in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Divide dough into 16 portions. Arrange 2-inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 cookies on
each sheet. Bake 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and puffy, and edges have
begun to set but centers are still soft, 10-14 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack; cool
cookies completely before serving.