In Search of the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

I've been spending a bit of time researching what makes a good chocolate chip cookie. Opinions are as varied about cookies as they are about politics and I'm sure they could make or break a friendship.

What I've been looking for is a not-too-sweet, way chocolatey, crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside cookie that you can enjoy either hot from the oven or a day or two later. Some cookies are good hot, some good cooled, few are good both. I have to say this latter quest is the most difficult one to research as the cookies I've been making rarely last the evening, let alone two days!

I desire at some point to make a somewhat wholesome cookie but this is not the time. I've been in search of pure, culinary bliss and thus far, this is what I've found from my combination of internet, cookbook searches and experimentation.

Chocolate Lust uh Chip Cookies

1 stick of butter (salted) (1/4#) {or if you use unsalted butter, you can grind some sea salt over the cookies right before you bake them)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 16 oz. bag of semi sweet chips (I use organic)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg @ room temperature

Sift into a bowl and combine the flour and baking soda. In another bowl cut cold butter into pieces, add sugars and lightly beaten egg and vanilla. I use a mixer to combine these. Then in stages slowly add flour mixture to wet mixture and when combined add chocolate chips and mix in with hands.

Take dough and roll into a log shape in saran wrap and put in freezer for 30 minutes then transfer dough to refrigerator and save until ready to bake. Let it thaw or soften enough to slice it before you cook it. Will last up to a week.

When ready to bake, cut disks of dough about 1/2-inch thick, cook in pre-heated 350* oven for about 11 minutes. Remove from oven when edges are lightly browned. Take off cookie sheet and let cool.

Simple!

*also works beautifully with fresh chopped mint, milk chocolate chips, blueberries and/or freeze-dried strawberries chopped up (source Trader Joe's)