'Who dat?,' Peter called out playfully as he opened the front door. Hearing giggles, he knew it would be our neighbour's children back for a another helping of my freshly-baked triple chocolate chip cookies. I had made a double batch and, judging by the delicious aromas wafting from my kitchen, and the look on the little ones' faces, they were really good.
To my mind, there is much pleasure to be gained from the sharing of food and I've always been one to 'pop next door with a plate of biscuits' or other baked goodies. When Peter and I moved house on a rainy and bitterly cold July day in 2009, there was a knock at the door and to my absolute delight one of my most dearest friends, Diana (a great cook who was also my neighbour for 20 years) had come to deliver a hamper of food for us. We were weary and hungry, and Diana's visit was perfectly timed. She reminded me of the day in 1984 when she and her husband, Bryant, moved into their new home next door to mine, and she told me how much they had appreciated me dropping in with a plate of food as a welcome gesture. That's what being neighbourly and looking out for each other is all about, no?
Bailey, Evelyn & Petria agree happiness is a chocolate chip cookie...
Someone once said 'Happiness is a chocolate chip cookie' (hmmm, perhaps it was me?). Well, I think they're right, for there's nothing quite as delicious—before, during AND after baking—as a chocolate chip cookie, especially one with three kinds of chocolate chips or chunks. You'll note that I said before, during and after baking. We all know there's how delicious cookie dough tastes (just ask the people behind Ben and Jerry's). The 'during' part covers those moments when one is salivating as the cookies are baking. Peter and I find it quite exciting to stand by the oven and watch those balls of yumminess form into molten cookies. And of course, 'after' needs no explanation (she said, munching on a cookie).
The recipe...
I've been baking biscuits or cookies for as long as I can remember, and chocolate chip or TOLL HOUSE® have always been a favourite. I remember cutting out the original recipe from the side of a box of NESTLÉ® chocolate chips many, many years ago. It was pasted into one of my recipe scrap books, but sadly the glue disintegrated over time and somehow I misplaced it. So I've been making my own concoction for a while now, based on snippets compiled from a variety of recipes in some of my favourite cookbooks. Incidentally, there's an interesting story to the TOLL HOUSE® cookie, which you'll find here.
There are plenty of excellent chocolate chip cookie recipes to be found on the inter-web, and a couple in particular caught my eye. An in-depth article titled 'The Food Lab: the science of the best chocolate chip cookies' featured on Serious Eats in December. The author, J. Kenji López-Alt, baked 1,536 cookies and conducted 100 individual tests in order to present interesting findings that cover all aspects of various ingredients that can be used and how that and the different methods of preparation result in crisper, flatter, chewier cookies. Now that's what I call dedication! Me, I just want cookies (oops, I'm starting to sound like the Cookie Monster). More recently, a post titled 'The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie' featured on FOOD 52. It was written by Phyllis Grant who blogs at Dash and Bella. I love this writer's approach and she aims for what she calls a 'dreamy, gooey interior and a crispy outer border'. Yeah baby, that's just how I like 'em! The recipe I'm sharing with you here is my adaption of that one and is pretty close to how I've made these cookies for at least the last four decades. Enjoy, and don't forget to serve them with the quintessential glass of milk. TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 1/2 cup/75g of white chocolate buttons 1 cup/150g milk chocolate buttons 1 cup/150g dark chocolate buttons 125g walnuts, finely chopped 2 cups/350g plain (AP) flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 250g butter, softened 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup muscovado or light brown sugar 1/2 cup golden caster sugar 2 free-range eggs Heat your oven to 190 degrees C or 375 F. Line three cookie sheets or biscuit trays with paper in preparation for baking. If the chocolate buttons you are using aren't small, chop them into chunks by hand or in a food processor. Combine the chopped walnuts with the chocolate buttons or chunks and set aside. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate container. Combine the butter, vanilla extract and both kinds of sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until the mixture is light and creamy. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, and scraping down the sides of the bowl again. Now add the flour, half a cup at a time, with the mixer set onto medium speed. and mix until all the flour is incorporated. Finally add the chocolate chips or chunks and fold them through by hand. With clean hands, shape the mixture into spheres the size of a golf ball, perhaps a wee bit smaller. Leave space between the balls as you place them onto the lined baking sheets, as the cookies will spread as they bake. Bake for ten minutes until they are turning golden brown on the outer edges. Remove from the oven, all to cool slightly, then transfer the cookies carefully to a cooling rack (I suggest you use an egg flip to do this). This quantity will make 28 cookies, so take some to your neighbours, and store the remainder in an airtight container. Note: I'm using Sicao chocolate these days, thanks to my lovely friend Celia at Fig, Jam and Lime Cordial, who pointed me in the direction of bulk ordering. The process in pictures...Allow the cookies to cool on a rack before you indulge...Bite me...Cookies and the quintessential glass of milk...Happiness is a chocolate chip cookie...
Tell me, do you believe that happiness is a chocolate chip cookie? Of course, that's a whimsical saying, but it's fun. Do you and your neighbours cook and look out for each other? Do share your stories.
27/1/2014 09:25:40 pm
Happiness is truly in round chewy chocolate chip cookie, looks absolutely gorgeous!
Lizzy
28/1/2014 06:15:06 am
Gintare, thank you very much : ) 28/1/2014 07:30:33 am
Chocolate chip cookies are always on my mind! Now I know why. Great recipe..although I don't know if I can find any chocolate buttons here :) ela
Lizzy
28/1/2014 07:37:25 am
Really, Ela? Then you must simply chop some good quality chocolate. 28/1/2014 10:46:13 am
G'day! Who could not love these tripe choc chip cookies Lizzy, true!
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:51:20 pm
Thank you Joanne, you are so sweet : ) 28/1/2014 11:02:23 am
Chocolate chips cookies and a glass of milk, definitely. Though for breakfast I prefer to have them with coffee.
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:51:45 pm
Ah Norma, you too huh? I love a slice or cake or biscuit with my morning coffee : ) 28/1/2014 11:18:30 am
I so agree, happiness is a chocolate chip cookie, especially with triple chocolate!
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:52:09 pm
Laura, triple chocolate is happiness at its best : ) 28/1/2014 11:44:53 am
I've never met a chocolate cookie I didn't like! I actually like the basic Toll House recipe found on the package (it's good!), but I certainly could see the point of baking 1,536 cookies just to be, you know, sure of what the best recipe is. ;-) And we can't possibly eat that many, so our neighbors would love us! Fun post -- thanks.
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:52:43 pm
LOL, John, you made me laugh... well, when you do bake 1,536 cookies, please post some to moi : ) 28/1/2014 12:00:45 pm
How lucky those children are to be your neighbour. I love the look of your cookies and will pin them. I buy that brand of muscovado sugar too! xx
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:52:58 pm
Thank you Charlie, very kind xox
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:53:24 pm
My kindred spirit in cooking, Liz... before during and after is delicious! 28/1/2014 12:22:50 pm
I have made a bazillion chocolate chip cookies Liz; always searching for that perfect combination of bliss. Sadly, living a mile up in the air plays havoc with results you so easily take for granted. Now I love Denver but I don't love making cookies here. Most flatten, no matter what revisions I make to the cooking temp of the ingredients and as a result, most are not photo worthy even if they taste fabulous. Still...one of my ALL time favorites are these; the combining of molasses and granulated sugar instead of using brown sugar makes for a decided difference and using brown butter sure didn't hurt. The nuts on the top were an ode to a hurricane and not necessary at all...I would love to get your take on them. Were they best served at altitude or was it just one of those days when my hunger for a cookie was so great it ruled unfairly? I love the combination of chips in yours...I'll make yours if you make mine? :)
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:55:10 pm
Oh Barbara, I bet they are photo worthy! I did not know that living at high altitude makes a difference. Interesting. Hmmmm... Peter would love the molasses, I'm sure... yes, I would like to try yours... please may I ask that you give me until March to do... I think my Personal Trainer would not approve of my baking any for the next month. Going to see your recipe now xox
Jane @Shady Baker
28/1/2014 03:46:14 pm
Hi Lizzy, I baked a batch of chocolate chip biscuits just a few days ago...some for now and some for the freezer. They are always a winner aren't they? Your versions looks particularly delicious. I like your addition of walnuts.
Lizzy
28/1/2014 04:55:29 pm
Hi Jane... we are on the same page of the hymn book, no? How delicious for your little ones.. yes, they sure are a winner. You sound like the BEST neighbour... what a gem xox Are the children back at school yet? Always kind of sad when the holidays are over. 28/1/2014 08:24:35 pm
There is something about a chocolate chip cookie that brightens even the dullest day. I love the addition of walnuts in your recipe. The children look like they are insanely good :-) Good neighbors are incredibly important (and maybe not so common anymore?) I love sharing food with mine and their generosity and warmth towards my children makes me very happy. One of my neighbors hangs lemons over my fence and the other left meals on my door step when I was working. It was such a lovely gift to receive.
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:24:08 am
Your neighbours sound great, Kyrstie, and I bet they LOVE having you next door xo
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:23:28 am
Aw Deena, thank you xo
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:23:03 am
Tina, welcome to Good Things, and thank you for your kind words : ) 28/1/2014 11:23:23 pm
I'm pretty sure you're right. I haven't made chocolate chip cookies in years. yes, years :) I must!
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:22:42 am
Yes, you simply must! xo 28/1/2014 11:57:50 pm
Triple chocolate, not just chocolate or double chocolate, triple chocolate chip cookies - what a great idea!
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:22:28 am
Absolutely xo 29/1/2014 08:01:21 pm
I bet you always have kids hanging around your door hopefully with cookies like those. It's so satisfying to bake and share with friends and neighbours isn't it. What a lovely comforting image cookies and a glass of milk is, gorgeous post Lizzy. 29/1/2014 08:08:20 pm
Hi Lizzy, you're killing me! These chocolate chip cookies look fantastic and I like them exactly the way you do..a gooey interior with a crispy outer. I'm modifying my baking these days to be healthier but if I ever have a weak moment these are definitely on my list to bake. x
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:22:16 am
Adri, thank you very much : ) 29/1/2014 05:23:45 am
These chocolate chip cookies look wonderful, so uniform, so professional. I bet they taste wonderful. A definite make for the Glam Teens! GG
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:22:04 am
Yes, yes, yes GG! Let me know if they like them xo 29/1/2014 06:52:52 am
Chocolate chunk/chip/triple/single/double call it what you will, are the best cookies ever, particularly if they are still a little warm and soft and gooey on the inside. I know someone who would love it if I made this recipe tonight.
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:21:47 am
Eva, that's how I like them too xox
Mandy@The Complete Book
29/1/2014 08:21:31 am
Fabulous recipe Lizzy. xox
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:26:45 am
Thank you, Mandy xo 29/1/2014 12:36:02 pm
I love choc chip cookies too, especially when the chips are really big! :D
Lizzy
29/1/2014 08:55:55 pm
Me too, Lorraine... mine are, even though it doesn't look like it, the chunks are quite big and moreish!
Andrea Mynard
29/1/2014 08:57:02 pm
I bet you always have kids hanging around your door hopefully with cookies like those. It's so satisfying to bake and share with friends and neighbours isn't it. What a lovely comforting image cookies and a glass of milk is, gorgeous post Lizzy.
Catherine@FarmhouseHome
29/1/2014 08:55:15 pm
Hi Lizzy, you're killing me! These chocolate chip cookies look fantastic and I like them exactly the way you do..a gooey interior with a crispy outer. I'm modifying my baking these days to be healthier but if I ever have a weak moment these are definitely on my list to bake. x
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:51:15 pm
Oh Catherine, my apologies.... but can I tell you, when the time is right, please do bake these... they are sooooooooooo good!
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:52:08 pm
Azita, thank you kindly... I was cautious about buying chocolate in bulk... mainly because I am actually concerned about our chocolate intake... given that we both need to lose weight. But a little, once in a while, is a good thing, no? : ) 30/1/2014 07:36:09 am
And thanks to you, I'm having a HUGE craving for cookies right now!!
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:52:21 pm
Oops, xox
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:52:49 pm
Thank you, Celia... those little darlings keep asking their mum if 'Liz is going to bake more'. : ) 30/1/2014 11:57:57 pm
Liz, the look on the children's faces is priceless! Thanks for the link to the Toll House story, too -- very interesting! Just think how many folks you could share these with, with a lifetime supply of chocolate (she says, holding out her empty plate...) ;)
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:53:12 pm
Ah, Kim, come on over and we'll bake some together xox
Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:53:49 pm
Yes, David, THREE different kinds of chocolate, just to make sure that this is a real happiness inducing chocolate hit! : ) 2/2/2014 05:45:14 pm
Mmm, they look delicious Lizzy! I don't know if I would have the self-control to let them cool down first though...
Lizzy
2/2/2014 07:00:04 pm
Hi Amanda... too right! I certainly don't : ) Comments are closed.
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Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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