The Chocolate Chip Cookie

There are very few things in this world as satisfying or life-affirming as a warm, homemade chocolate chip cookie. You know, after they’ve had a couple of minutes to cool off from the oven, but the chocolate is still a little gooey, and a bite in your mouth just kind of…melts on your tongue. It’s a sacred experience.

Since the age of eleven I have been perfecting my personal recipe. It’s served me well for over a decade, winning me friends and admirers across the land. Chocolate chip cookies are a great American art form, like jazz or television…or Monster Truck shows. The search for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe is one of the noblest of all culinary quests.

One of the best breakdowns of chocolate chip cookie science I’ve ever seen came from Baker Bettie earlier this year. I spent a solid three weeks tinkering with my own recipe after I read her post.

I also like to occasionally cruise other recipes for inspiration. Chasing Delicious has a pretty impressive collection of recipes, from the classic cookie to a few unexpected, delicious flavors like chocolate chip with an orange twist and chocolate chip raisin spice cookies. Two Tarts’ has an extremely delicious recipe for Chewy Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies (their Peanut Butter Cookie recipe is also off the charts amazing, FYI). It’s enough to keep you busy for a while. Or at least enough to throw a chocolate chip cookie party, invite all your friends over and go crazy (hmmm…that’s an idea).

My own ideal chocolate chip cookie is a bit on the thin side with just a bit of crunch to it. Everyone else in my family likes softer cookies, so I tend to bake to satisfy popular demand when I am at home, but when I am on my own…watch out! It’s crunchy cookie time. I’m a wild one.

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup toffee bits

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine sugars, butter, egg, milk, and vanilla until light and creamy. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until well incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips and the toffee bits with a spatula. Use a tablespoon to scoop out walnut sized balls of dough and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

(All photos taken by me)