Toasted sugar lends a richer flavor to these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Soft, chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness, they may be the best you'll ever have.
I've always tried to stray from using 'best ever' in my recipe titles. It has always felt presumptuous to me and when it comes to cooking/baking, I don't want people to feel intimidated. There is really no set way to making a certain dish. Everyone has a preference and there are delicious variations of all sorts.
It's especially audacious to use 'best ever' when it comes to chocolate chip cookies.
Happy Accidents
The CCC was originally created in 1938 by Ruth Wakefield, who ran the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. At the time, the inn was known for its home cooking offered to weary travelers. Now beyond this point there's a lot of mystery still to how the CCC actually came to be. Some believe it was a wonderful accident, while others say, it was all intentional. Whatever the truth may be behind it all, the part that fascinates me is that Ruth sold her recipe to Nestlé for $1 and a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Fast forward some 80 years and here we are, still recreating and reinventing one of the simplest recipes of all time.
There arguably are a thousand ways to make a chocolate chip cookie nowadays, but it really comes down to the consumer.
Some like them soft and doughy. Some like them thin and crisp. Some like nuts, others like chocolate chocolate. Is there a right way or a wrong way? Well, when you come right down to it, no.
Today's recipe I find is a good combination of what everyone loves. Super soft interior that melts in your mouth upon first bite, with a slight crisp to the edges. These are loaded with lots of chocolate chips and have a bit of caramel-like flavor that comes from toasting the sugar beforehand which is somewhat a modern method discovered in 2016 by baker Stella Parks.
Take note bakers and chefs- happy accidents are when some of our greatest discoveries are made.
I took a look back at the Ruth's recipe. You know, the $1 OG that started it. She made hers with butter and shortening, which I personally always preferred since the shortening produces a more tender cookie. So unlike many other CCC recipes out there, I don't believe that all butter is the key to a perfectly soft cookie.
For a long time now, I've been using a mix of flours when baking CCCs. I alternate between whole wheat or almond flour. I prefer the almond flour as it lends a slightly nutty flavor that plays into the toasted sugar really well. I have found mixing flours gives the batter a better texture and the cookies hold up better when this is done.
Now, to quickly touch back on the toasted sugar. It's a pretty big alteration for a couple of reasons. It lends an even lovelier golden color to the cookies in combination with the brown sugar and almond flour. Also, it trades some of the sweetness for a depth of flavor that's almost like caramel. The cookies are plenty sweet rest assured so you don't need to add more sugar because of this technique. This recipe is also heavy on the chocolate chips which you can always adjust to you liking.
Toasting sugar is a process, but it yields a good amount so you'll have plenty leftover for other recipes. Think cakes, breads, other cookies (like gingersnaps), and even hot drinks. It's an ingredient you'll definitely want on hand this holiday season.
Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup toasted sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup AP flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In the bowl of your mix master, beat butter, shortening, sugars, egg and vanilla, until whipped.
- Add salt, flours, baking soda, and baking powder. Beat on low until a sticky dough comes together. Add the chocolate chips and mix on low until incorporated.
- Spoon heaping tablespoons worth of cooking dough on each sheet, leaving enough room for the cookies to expand. I scooped them out in four rows of three cookies.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until just slightly golden. Remove from the oven and leave to rest on the cookie sheets for about half a minute before carefully transferring to a wire rack. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to keep the cookies soft and fresh longer. Cookies will keep for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Myrah Duque says
O M G! They are so chunky! These are indeed the best ever chocolate chip cookies!
David J Myers says
Catherine, Beautiful chocolate chip cookies! Never thought of using almond flour and then on top of that, toast sugar... Great recipe! Can't wait to try it... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Danwil R. says
Looks yummy, you're making me hungry!
Jasmine Martin says
These chocolate chip cookies look so freaking tasty. This is probably my favorite type of cookie.
Jupiter Hadley says
I love Chocolate Chip Cookies! These look nice and thick, which is the best when it comes to cookies.
Thena Franssen says
Oh wow! These look amazing. I love soft cookies so I'm going to give these a try. Perfect for the holidays.
Everything Enchanting says
These look so delicious 😍. I have always tried the store-bought chocolate chip cookies, never the homemade ones! I have got to try making these soon!
Gloria says
You can never go wrong with a great chocolate chip cookie recipe. Perfect for dunking. Great for sharing.
Bernice says
You had me at cookie!! Wow, these are some great looking chocolate chip cookies and a very unique recipe. A must try for me.
Sharon says
The title says it all, these are the BEST chocolate chip cookies. So sweet with bites of chocolate chips throughout.
Liz says
These are possibly the best looking chocolate chip cookie ever, as well! I love using almond flour, versus regular flour. Will have to give these a try!
Leslie says
Chocolate chip cookies are my love language! This recipe is exactly how I like them! So perfect!
Jessica says
You can't go wrong with a good chocolate chip cookie and these ones are extra special with the toasted sugar. So glad I gave them a shot. Will be making these again for sure!
Kayla DiMaggio says
These chocolate chip cookies truly are the best ever! I loved how soft and chewy they were and loaded with chocolate!
Veronika says
Made these cookies yesterday and they are really one of the best cookies I've tried! Going to make them again this weekend 😉
Sara says
These look like such a good cookie recipe. Maybe these would be a good one for the kids to try for leaving out for Santa... I am sure they would be gobbled up!
Veronika Sykorova says
Chocolate chip will always be my cookie of choice so I just had to try this recipe. They were delicious and the whole family enjoyed them"