Are you craving the warm, gooey goodness of a perfect chocolate chip cookie? Look no further! This Amish Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a family favorite, renowned for its simplicity and incredibly delicious results. Forget complicated techniques and hard-to-find ingredients – this recipe focuses on quality ingredients and a straightforward method to deliver melt-in-your-mouth cookies every single time. It's the perfect addition to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meals (relatively speaking, of course!).
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate – your choice!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream Together the Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can certainly do it by hand if you're feeling ambitious!
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few lumps are okay!
Step 5: Stir in Chocolate Chips:
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 6: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended):
For the best results, cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step helps prevent the cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Leave some space between the cookies as they will spread slightly.
Step 8: Baking Time:
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your warm, delicious Amish chocolate chip cookies!
Tips for Perfect Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This will ensure that the cookies are tender and chewy.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is a great way to improve the texture and prevent spreading.
- Use Quality Chocolate Chips: The quality of your chocolate chips will greatly affect the taste of your cookies.
Variations:
- Add Nuts: Try adding ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts to the dough.
- Different Chocolate: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even chocolate chunks.
- Spiced Cookies: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced cookie.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 150-200 (depending on the size and type of chocolate used)
This delicious recipe offers a perfect balance of homemade cooking, healthy meals (in moderation!), and quick dinner ideas (if you consider cookies a dinner option!). Enjoy this simple yet rewarding baking experience and the delightful outcome. These cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends, making them ideal for potlucks or holiday gatherings. They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!