Levain Double Chocolate Chip Cookies for New Year 2024
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies wafting through the kitchen. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating these delectable treats from scratch. These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich chocolate chips – a perfect combination for any dessert lover. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get baking!
Ingredients
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need for this chocolate chip cookie recipe:
| Ingredients | Description |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold | Creamy and rich unsalted butter |
| 200g (1 cup, packed) brown sugar | Sweet and flavorful brown sugar |
| 50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar | Granulated sugar for added sweetness |
| 2 large eggs | Large eggs for binding and moisture |
| 50g (1/2 cup) Hearthy Foods cocoa powder (natural, unprocessed cocoa) | High-quality cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor |
| 300g (~2 1/4 cups) sifted all-purpose flour | All-purpose flour for structure and texture |
| 1 1/2 tsp baking powder | Baking powder (increase to 2 tsp for dutch processed cocoa) |
| 1 tsp baking soda | Baking soda for leavening |
| 1 tsp salt | Salt to enhance the flavor |
| 300g (1 3/4 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips OR peanut butter chips | Delicious chocolate chips or peanut butter chips for that extra indulgence |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s start baking these mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies:
1. Cream the Butter
- Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the cold unsalted butter in a large bowl until it becomes creamy and whipped. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect cookie texture.
- Next, add both the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the butter. Mix until the sugars are fully incorporated, creating a sweet and creamy base for your cookies.
3. Incorporate the Eggs
- Add one large egg at a time to the sugar-butter mixture. Beat until each egg is just incorporated before adding the next one. This ensures even mixing and a consistent cookie batter.
4. Sift the Cocoa Powder
- Sift the Hearthy Foods cocoa powder directly into the large bowl with your cookie batter. Mixing slowly at this stage prevents cocoa powder from flying up and causing a chocolatey mess.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients
- Now, add the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to your mixture. Stir until all the ingredients are completely mixed through, creating a smooth and well-blended cookie dough.
6. Fold in the Chocolate Chips
- Carefully fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips or peanut butter chips into the cookie dough. The dough may be a bit stiff and tough to mix, but this is what will give your cookies those delightful chunks of chocolate.
7. Form the Cookies
- Cover a cookie sheet pan with parchment paper. Take handfuls of the cookie dough and form them into six messy balls, each weighing about 6 ounces. Place these dough balls on the prepared sheet pan.
- Pop the pan with the cookie dough into the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes to 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking and enhances the cookie’s texture.
8. Preheat and Bake
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once it’s heated, bake the cookies for precisely 10 minutes. You can start checking at the 9-minute mark to account for variations in ovens or pans. If you’re using an aluminum sheet pan with parchment paper, you’re on the right track!
9. Cool and Enjoy
- Let the cookies cool in the hot pan for at least 15 minutes before serving. This cooling process allows the cookies to set and become wonderfully chewy. Serve these mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies to your friends and family for a delightful treat!
FAQs
Can I use different types of chips in this recipe? Certainly! While the recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips or peanut butter chips, you can get creative with your choices. White chocolate, butterscotch, or even dark chocolate chips can be delicious alternatives.
Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use? Yes, you can. Shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a resealable bag. When you’re ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a cookie sheet and follow the baking instructions, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Can I make smaller or larger cookies? Absolutely! Adjust the size of the cookie dough balls according to your preference. Smaller balls will yield more cookies, and larger ones will result in fewer, bigger cookies. Just remember to adjust the baking time accordingly.
Why is it important to chill the dough? Chilling the dough solidifies the fats in the cookies, which helps prevent them from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flour to hydrate fully, resulting in a chewier texture.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? You can, but using unsalted butter gives you better control over the saltiness of the cookies. If you opt for salted butter, consider reducing the amount of added salt in the recipe slightly.
How long can I store these cookies? These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the baked cookies and reheat them in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Baking homemade chocolate chip cookies is a delightful experience, and with this step-by-step guide, you’ll achieve perfect results every time. The combination of rich cocoa powder, sweet sugars, and decadent chocolate chips creates cookies that are simply irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
