Jacques Torres Copycat Chocolate Chip Cookies

This chocolate chip cookies recipe has some unusual, not in every kitchen flours but it is worth the extra cost and refrigerator space.  I store my flour in the refrigerator.  I find the flour stays fresh longer.  These cookies are thick and chewy but has crispy edges.  According to "Mr. Chocolate" himself, the low gluten in the pastry flour combined with the high gluten in the bread flour makes the perfect textured cookie.  I must say that this is our household fav cookie!  I hope you like it too.

Always bring your cold items to room temperature (eggs, butter, flour etc.)  Now, I used 11 oz bag of ghirardelli milk chocolate chips and 5 oz of semi sweet ghirardelli chocolate chips.  You can let your freak flag fly as high as you want.  I like bittersweet, semi sweet and milk chocolate chips.  You can buy chocolate bars and chopped it yourself ( more work for you).  I've even done M&M's and snowcaps.  You can add pecans or any other nut.  I've seen pretzel pieces added to cookie dough.  I prefer a plain jane, nothing but chocolate, chocolate chip cookie.

 Look at that yummy dough!  Now, it is recommended to refrigerate dough for at least 24 hours and up to 72 hours.  Who wants to wait that long for cookies???  I baked them right away and the cookies came out perfect. Don't forget to leave enough space in between each cookie for spreading does occur.

 Once cookies are out of the oven let cool for a few minutes in pan on a rack.  Then remove from pan and place directly on cooling rack until cool enough for storage.

I like to each my cookie with a large glass of milk in front of the TV.

Eat and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temp
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp of sugar
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp pastry flour
• 1 1/2 cup bread flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 16 oz your fav chocolate combo (mine is milk and semi sweet)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.  In a separate bowl, combine flours, soda, salt and baking powder.  Whisk together and set aside.
2. In your mixer, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time and vanilla.
3. Slowly add in the dry ingredients  Don't over mix or you will end up with hockey pucks!
4. Stir in chocolate chips.  Scoop cookies onto baking sheets.  I like a medium size cookies scoop but you can use a tablespoon.  
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.  Longer or shorter baking times for bigger or smaller cookies.  

* recipe make roughly 30 medium size cookies

Fantasy Fudge

 Fantasy Fudge is a must at Christmas time.  It's rich and delicious.  Now, I love all types of fudge but this fudge (IMHO) is so much better than those condensed milk ones. 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk
• 12oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 jar(7oz) marshmallow creme
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Line 9x13 pan with foil.  Make sure foil hangs over sides of pan.  This makes a handle to easily remove from pan.
2. Set up large pot with a candy thermometer.
3. Add sugar, milk and butter to pot.  Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.  Continue cooking until thermometer reaches 234°F.  Remember to keep stirring or it will burn!  
4. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and marshmallow creme.  Stir until combined
5. Add vanilla and nuts, if that's your thing.  Mix well.
6. Pour into foil lined pan.  Let cool completely on counter or in fridge.  Remove foil from pan and cut into squares.

Eat and enjoy!

chocolate chip cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

•  2 1/4 cup AP flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups chocolate chips (any combo)

1.  Preheat oven to 375°.  Stir flour, baking soda and salt in bowl, set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy and creamy.
3. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time until incorporated.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture.  Stir in chocolate chips ( I use half milk and half semi-sweet).   
5. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 9-10 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Cool on wire rack.  Eat and enjoy!

makes 2 1/2 dozen large cookies