Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

Today is my husband's birthday -- he's not overly fond of cake, so my tradition has been to make him a giant chocolate chip cookie each year. Thought I'd share the recipe I use for Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies as well as a few tips I've picked up along the way.
Thick, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter (at room temp.)
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 lg. eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. flour
2 cups semisweet choc. chips
1 c. chopped pecans (optional)
1. In a med. bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla till smooth.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt in another bowl.  Stir into butter mixture until well incorporated.  Stir in choc. chips and pecans
3. Drop dough in 2 Tablespoon portions (1/8 cup) - 2 inches apart onto buttered baking sheets.
4. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
5. Let stand a few minutes and then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
I baked the big cookie about 12 minutes - and it definitely turned out soft and chewy! 

Here are the tips for soft/chewy cookies I've gathered:
 High moisture content helps to make them soft/chewy ---adjusting the baking time, temperature, and recipe is the trick.

Recipe Adjustment:
Brown sugar (especially if it contains molasses which is 10 percent water)
A little extra flour - makes the dough stiffer so it spreads less and there is less liquid evaporation
Butter and eggs also work towards the moisture retention making the dough more elastic and add steam as the cookies bake
Mass helps retain the moisture as well -- BIG dollops of dough instead of 1 teaspoon
Baking Time
Bake thick cookies for a shorter time to minimize spreading
Remove cookies when the rim is brown and at least 1/3 of the center remains pale
Temperature
Increase oven temp. to bake quicker

Try it and let me know what you think!
This post linked to:
Take A Look Tuesday
Humble Homemaking Weekend Review 
Fun With Food Friday 
Sweets For A Saturday 
Sweet Tooth Friday
Culinary Smackdown Battle - Cookies





7 comments:

Christa said...

This sounds delicious! I really need to try it for my next birthday, too, since I'm not a huge fan of the icing on traditional cake.

Humble Homemaker said...

Wow, what a fun idea! My hubby would love this. :) Feel free to hook it up to my Weekend Review Party this weekend to share. It looks too yummy not to share! I am your newest follower. Have a great day!
Humble Homemaking

Allison @ Alli 'n Son said...

I LOVE giant cookie cakes. I always ask for one instead of cake on my birthday.

I'd love to have you share this recipe on my Sweet Tooth Friday linky! http://alli-n-son.com/2011/02/24/cream-cheese-brownies/

Amy said...

Your giant chocolate chip cookie is adorable! What a great idea for b-day!

I'm hosting the Culinary Smackdown Battle for March--the theme is Cookies. Would you like to join in for the fun? It doesn' have to be a new post on your blog. You can pick your favorite cookie from your previous post too. All you have to do is link up your cookie creation. I have some great prizes waiting. Hope to see your entry soon!

Amy
http://utry.it/2011/03/culinary-smackdown-battlecookies.html

Amy said...

You're quick! :) Thank you for entering the Smackdown Battle! Best of luck to you.

Amy
http://utry.it

Bonnie said...

I cmae over from the culinary smackdown link. I love that you made your husband a cookie instead of a cake. I have done the same for my husband but with a sugar cookie. Maybe I'll have to try chocolate chip next year. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

Lisa said...

I bet this made his birthday super special. Who wouldn't like a giant cookie to celebrate? Thanks for linking this up to Sweets for a Saturday.