Chocolate Chip Cookies

DAMN GOOD Chocolate Chip Cookies

(adapted from America’s Test Kitchen)

• 1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup packed (5 1/4 ounces) dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg plus 1 large yolk
• 1 1/2 cups (8 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
• 3/4 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and chopped (optional)
• >>use 2 cups chips if not using nuts<<

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

Melt 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly, until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter and stir until completely melted.

Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla to melted butter; whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and egg yolk; whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Using rubber spatula, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if using. Give dough final stir to ensure that no flour pockets remain and ingredients are evenly distributed.  Let sit 5-10 minutes, then refrigerate 30 minutes.

Use standard cookie scoop – will make about 34 cookies.  Bake 8-10 minutes (9 was perfect) until cookies are golden brown and still puffy and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; let cookies cool to room temperature.

125 calories each – and TOTALLY worth it!!