Craving a sweet treat that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple to make? Look no further than these delightful chocolate icebox cookies! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, weekend baking fun, or impressing your friends with homemade goodness. Forget complicated baking techniques; this recipe focuses on easy steps and maximum flavor, making it ideal for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros. Let's get started on creating these irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth cookies!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or more, if you're feeling decadent!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Creaming 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 easily done with an electric mixer, but you can certainly use a good old-fashioned hand mixer or even do it by hand if you're feeling strong!
Step 2: Adding Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving onto the next step.
Step 3: Combining Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly acceptable.
Step 4: Stirring in Chocolate Chips
Stir in the chocolate chips. The more chocolate, the merrier!
Step 5: Shaping the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Shape the dough into a log, approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough firms it up, making it much easier to slice and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 6: Baking the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Once the dough is chilled, slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
Step 7: Baking Time
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. Keep a close eye on them as oven temperatures can vary.
Step 8: Cooling and Enjoying!
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these delicious chocolate icebox cookies with a glass of cold milk or your favorite beverage!
Tips and Variations:
- For extra chocolatey goodness: Add a tablespoon or two of strong brewed coffee to the dough.
- Nutty delight: Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.
- White chocolate lovers: Substitute white chocolate chips for the semi-sweet chocolate chips, or use a mix of both!
- Make it festive: Add sprinkles or colored sugar for holidays or special occasions.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: 120-150
- Fat: 7-9g
- Saturated Fat: 4-5g
- Cholesterol: 10-15mg
- Sodium: 50-70mg
- Carbohydrates: 18-22g
- Sugar: 10-12g
- Protein: 1-2g
These values are estimates and may vary based on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy your baking! These easy recipes and healthy meals are perfect for quick dinner ideas and homemade cooking – a delicious dish you'll want to make again and again! This simple recipe offers the best recipes for those wanting delicious dishes without spending hours in the kitchen.