I still remember the first time I was told about Costco's gourmet chocolate chunk cookies. They were raved about with so much passion but, never having tasted them, I wasn't that excited. How good could they be from a package? Of course, I changed my tune the first time I actually tasted them because...wow. Hello new addiction.
The only thing I didn't like was the ingredient list which uses lots of "commercial" ingredients that are not typically in my pantry. Time to try to recreate them at home. It was easy enough to find copy cat recipes online except they didn't taste like the Costco cookies. And, since I was making them as a birthday gift for the man who got me hooked in the first place, I wanted to get closer to the original. Let's just say there have been a lot of batches of cookie dough running through my stand mixer this past week.
The final batch is the closest I've come and a pretty darn great chocolate chip cookie if you're inclined toward the soft and chewy - which he is. And the ice cream? Well, we are marking the end of summer so I think it's fitting that I made ice cream sandwich cookies. You could also just crumble the cookies into the ice cream. Or eat the ice cream with a spoon while munching on the cookies. There's no wrong way here.
And with that I'm wishing a very happy birthday to the man who not only introduced me to the cookies but was my rock during this very difficult summer of losing my mother and at most other times, too. He makes me feel safe and cared for. I don't know how many knights in shining armor there still are in the world but his armor shines bright and I'm so fortunate to have met him. Enjoy!
Yield: 12 Servings
Thick and Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 13 MinTotal time: 28 Min
Recipe for large, chewy chocolate chip cookies in the style of Costco's gourmet chocolate chunk.
Ingredients:
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons shortening
- 1 Cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 Cup granulated sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 2 Teaspoons coffee extract
- 2 Cups all purpose flour
- 1 Teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 2 Cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the butter, shortening, light brown sugar and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and mix until thoroughly combined. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and coffee extract.
- Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and slowly add to the mixer, just until combined. Scrape down the sides and fold in the chocolate chip cookies.
- Using a 2 oz. cookie scoop, place the dough, approximately 3" apart, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 13 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly before moving the cookies.
I don't have shortening, how much exxtra butter will I need to use?
ReplyDeleteHi Nelly, you can go ahead and use 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) of butter. I've baked it that way as well and it comes out a little puffier but still delicious.
DeleteHello, I’m new to baking what is shortening in your recipe?
ReplyDeleteI used Crisco but any brand of shortening should be fine. The shortening makes the cookies a little crispier. You can omit it and use 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) of butter instead and they'll just be a little puffier.
DeleteThank you for the prompt response!
DeleteHi Nelly, I was wondering if a shot of espresso would be a good substitute for the coffee extract?
ReplyDeleteHi Beatrice - in terms of flavor, espresso would be fine but you want to make sure not to add to much liquid to the batter so stick to the two teaspoons. It's also fine to leave out the coffee altogether.
DeleteAnita