Cookie Recipe

Recipe websites are the worst. Here is my recipe before I talk about it 🙂

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Combine 2.6c flour (up to 0.5c whole wheat, to taste), 1tsp espresso powder, 1tsp Baking Powder, 0.75tsp Baking Soda, 0.25tsp salt in bowl.
2. In separate bowl, combine 0.75c dark brown sugar, 0.25c white sugar with 1c (2 sticks) melted unsalted butter (browning butter is tasty, optional). Add 1 egg and 1 yolk, and 1-2tsp vanilla extract.
3. Combine bowls.
4. Add 2c of chunked bittersweet or dark chocolate (or chips).
5. Form into approximately 10-14 balls (~4-6oz). Salt shards on top if desired. Freeze 36h.
6. Bake at 380deg for 20-25min.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Combine 2.3c flour (up to 0.5c whole wheat, to taste), 0.67c sifted cocoa powder, 1tsp espresso powder, 1tsp Baking Powder, 0.75tsp Baking Soda, 0.25tsp salt in bowl.
2. In separate bowl, combine 0.75c dark brown sugar, 0.25c white sugar with 1c (2 sticks) melted unsalted butter (browning butter is tasty, optional). Add 1 egg and 1 yolk, and 1-2tsp vanilla extract.
3. Combine bowls.
4. Add 1c of chocolate chips, 1c of peanut butter chips.
5. Form into approximately 14-18 balls. Salt shards on top if desired. Freeze 36h.
6. Bake at 380deg for 17-22min.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1. Combine 1.5c flour, 3c rolled oats (not instant!!), 1tsp espresso powder, 1-2tsp cinnamon, 1tsp Baking Powder, 1tsp Baking Soda, 0.25tsp salt in bowl.
2. In separate bowl, combine 0.75c dark brown sugar, 0.25c white sugar with 1c (2 sticks) melted unsalted butter (browning butter is tasty, optional). Add 2 eggs and 1-2tsp vanilla extract.
3. Combine bowls.
4. Add 1.5-2c raisins.
5. Form into approximately 12-16 balls (~4-6oz). Salt shards on top if desired. Freeze 36h.
6. Bake at 370deg for 18-23min.

The trick to baking is essentially the same as the scientific method: Determine the variables you can control, and change them one at a time in a systematic way to optimize around the desired result.

The above recipes are the culmination of almost a year of experimenting, trying to recreate the texture and flavor of my favorite cooke (RIP Specialties, COVID is the worst). I’m currently trying to master peanut butter cookies, those are quite the challenge.

I hope you enjoy them!