Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

This chocolate chip cookie recipe has a secret ingredient.

Can you guess what it is?

Ta-da! It's corn syrup.

You don't need much, but it really adds to the chewiness of the cookies.

Timing is important too.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 stick butter, softened 

1 cup brown sugar 

1 tablespoon corn syrup 

1 egg 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1 cup chocolate chips 

Preheat your oven to 375 F. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together and set aside. Using a stand mixer, cream the butter, and sugar together until smooth. Add the corn syrup, egg, and vanilla and continue beating until well combined. Scrape down the bowl and gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Using a spoon, scoop out a ball of the dough, roll it for a moment in your hands and then drop it onto a lightly greased cookie tray. Slightly flatten the balls but leave lots of room in between to allow the cookies room to expand. For a soft, chewy cookie, bake for exactly 12 minutes. For a cookie with a bit of crispy crunch, bake for exactly 15 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet and then remove and cool further. Makes about 18 cookies.

Source: Chef Michael Smith

Weekend Hang Out

I'm out of town this weekend. The Quatchis decided to stay back so they can hang out in their new tent and read Proof. Our friends at QuatchiFan2010 surprised us with a quatchtastic care package.

Sophia also drew a nice Quatchi family picture for us. Many thanks for the thoughtful gifts!

Busy Day Chocolate Cake

I was looking for a very easy cake recipe to satisfy my chocolate craving last night. I was drawn to this recipe because it involves minimal clean-up and is not too sweet. It also uses oil, which worked in my favour because I only have a half stick of butter in the fridge. The Quatchis, as always, were great helpers!

 

 

Busy Day Chocolate Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 cup cold water

 

Preheat oven to 350 F. In an 8-inch square baking pan, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and coarse salt.

 

 

Make a well in center of flour mixture and add the vegetable oil, pure vanilla extract, white vinegar, and cold water. Whisk until well combined. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

 

Source: Martha Stewart

 

 

Instead of frosting the cake, the Quatchis topped their slice with icing sugar. I'm going to try a slice with whip cream and berries tonight. Yay for no fuss baking!