July 11, 2013

Cookie Days


Some days are just cookie days. On Tuesday I had to take my sweet Millie in for a surgical procedure to have her teeth cleaned and have 3 teeth and a mass removed, that fingers crossed, is not cancer. After riding an emotional roller coaster all morning, it became clear that it was the kind of day that required the comfort of home baking.


 I decided to try a new recipe and pulled out my copy of The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook. Before this day if you had asked me if I was a Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie Girl or a Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Girl, I probably would have claimed to be the latter. Well, let me just say, I've been converted as has everyone in my family. This recipe is it. The one. Done and done.


 Back in the Day Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 cups unbleached all- purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temp
2 cups semisweet chocolate chucks
Fleur de sel for sprinkling

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350. Line two cookies sheets with parchment.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, and sea salt; set aside.
In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together the butter, vanilla and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the eggs and mix for no more than 1 minute; the eggs will not be fully incorporated. Turn the speed down to low and add the dry ingredients in thirds, beating until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. With the mixer running, sprinkle in the chocolate chunks, beating until just combined, about 1 minute.
Use a large ice cream scoop or a 1/4-cup measuring cup to form the cookies and place on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches between the cookies to allow for spreading. Lightly tap each cookie with palm of your hand and sprinkle with the fleur de sel.
Bake the cookies, one sheet at the time, for 15 to 18 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time for even doneness. The cookies should be golden brown around the edges but still light in the centers. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

My Notes: I didn't have fine sea salt and substituted kosher salt in it's place. I also didn't sprinkle the top with fleur de sel but will try it next time. I also used regular chocolate chips since that is what I had in the pantry.

13 comments:

  1. My favorite bakery, I have done posts on the bakery before too. I especially love their lavender shortbread and actually going to the bakery which is about half hour away.

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful recipe. I hope Millie is ok...

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  3. Hi- I hope your sweet dog is doing alright!
    Those cookies look marvelous . . . I've been hankering to do a bit of baking myself, but it's still too warm. Why is it that I always want to sew and bake in the summer?

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  4. beautiful pictures, jen!! love the vintage glass & scales!

    i have been wanting that cookbook, probably just to look at/drool over as i am the worst baker ever :)

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  5. LOVE all your beautiful pictures!!!
    I can only look and drool as I'm sporting a sore throat and living on smoothies.
    I'm going to have to look for this cookbook but thanks for sharing recipe!

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  6. Like the recipe but LOVE the glass even more...where did you get it and do they carry other states???

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  7. I love salt with chocolate in cookies, can't wait to try this recipe! Oh and I need that glass!

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  8. These cookies are in the oven as I type! Thank you for sharing this recipe and for inspiring to bake cookies with my kiddos! It's been forever that we made REAL homemade cookies! Enjoy the day!

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  9. Hope sweet Millie is feeling better xo
    The cookies look delish & I love your vintage scale & milk glass.

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  10. Oh what a wonderful version. I hope your beautiful dog will be fine:)

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  11. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!

    Jody

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  12. Oh my....these cookies look amazing,but the picture is just perfect!

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