Joe’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Happy Sunday night … and the night before the 2018-19 school year starts! 

While I can’t believe my baby is headed to high school, Joe has assured me he is ready to start the new school year. His binder is ready and lunch is packed, complete with his favorite chocolate chip cookies.

I shared this recipe a few years ago in a random post but I decided today the cookies should have their own post. They are that good! 

The recipe calls for a combination of bread flour and cake flour — and I do follow the instructions to sift it. Bread flour has a bit more protein than all-purpose flour and the combination with the cake flour really gives these cookies great flavor and shape. 

I also do try to let the cookie dough sit in the refrigerator for a few hours – at least – before baking. This weekend, I made the dough Saturday afternoon and baked the cookies Sunday afternoon. It’s hard to wait that long, usually, but giving the dough some set time is helpful!

I have many favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes – some with peanut butter, others with triple the kinds of chocolate, still others with oatmeal … but this is always my classic go-to! And I know Joe will love having a couple of cookies in his lunch bag tomorrow on his first day of high school.

xoxo – Lara

Joe’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1-2/3 cups (8-1/2 ounces) bread flour
1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2-1/2 sticks (1-1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1-1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/4 pounds semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 2 generous cups)

Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl and set aside.

Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy – about 5 minutes.

Add eggs. Stir in vanilla. Reduce to low speed and add dry ingredients slowly, mixing until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Refrigerate dough for at least 2-3 hours (and up to 24-36 hours, if you can wait that long!)

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

** These cookies would also be fabulous with a sprinkling of sea salt on them before baking!