Last month, BoB quietly celebrated two years of baking and blogging. I tried desperately to come up with some clever, unique way to mark that mini-achievement. Sadly, nothing seemed to come to mind. Then, I thought if BoB is all about baking, why not share with you one of my very favorite recipes?
This is my go-to recipe for chocolate chip cookies. If ever I need to make a good impression through baked goods, these are my ticket. I’ve yet to give them to anyone who didn’t love them. Maybe they were all just being nice, but I don’t think so.
I am calling these my favorite chocolate chip cookie with a bit of hesitation. Not that they aren’t wonderful, because they truly are. But, I realize that not everyone will consider these the best chocolate chip cookie they’ve ever made. And, of course, there are many recipes out there still untried in my kitchen that I could potentially prefer to these. But, these have stood the test of time (well, at least for several years) and I still love them and get requests for them.
I adapted this recipe from one I found in a Southern Living cookbook several years ago. It made about twice as much cookie dough and nearly killed my stand mixer. Their cookies were to be made into giant cookies, much like those from the famous Levain Bakery. I opt for less dough and smaller cookies.
Even with a scaled recipe that makes about half the original amount of dough, my stand mixer really has to work to mix these. I don’t think I’d ever want to make these without the aid of a stand mixer. If you don’t have one, I might recommend halving the recipe to make it a bit easier.
So, what makes these so good? I’m not sure I can pinpoint any one thing. It’s just the whole package. I love that the oats are ground before mixing them in. They add a nice chewiness while not drawing too much attention to themselves. The two kinds of chocolate are just brilliant, and you know I’m going to tell you to use the very best you can find. And, of course, my beloved pecan just makes them even better.
As Bake or Break enters its third year, I thank all of you for reading and commenting. These first two years have been so wonderful and exciting and surprising, and I look forward to many more!
47 responses so far ↓
1 carmen // Jul 9, 2008 at 9:20 pm
They look delish!!
2 Katrina // Jul 9, 2008 at 9:46 pm
YUM! Love the chocolate “goo” look in your picture. The recipe looks very similar to the “Neiman Marcus $250 Cookie” recipe I received years ago and that I love. I have since seen many versions of it. I love the ground oats and the grated chocolate. Four-five years ago this was the only cookie I’d make and the recipe was huge, made like 120 cookies. Half batch is PLENTY. When I’d make this cookie and take it to different things, people started calling me “Martha Stewart” and loved it. Interesting you got your recipe from Southern Living. I know that $250 cookie recipe has been called a hoax, but wherever this recipe came from–it’s a great one!
I’ve been obsessed with choc chip cookies lately and have thought about this one many times and been meaning to make them again.
The Jacques Torres clone that just showed up in the NY Times article today is a darn good one, too. You’re right, there’s just so many out there and so many good ones. Sigh, it’s a tough life, huh.
3 Amanda // Jul 9, 2008 at 10:00 pm
What a way to celebrate a birthday for your blog. Who can go wrong with cookies?! The old standby chocolate chip cookie is a classic because it can do no wrong. Have you ever had the Levain bakery chocolate chip cookies? I wanted to try them because so many people rave about them
4 Kristin at The Kitchen Sink // Jul 10, 2008 at 4:51 am
Happy belated birthday! These cookies look incredible. I like the addition of ground oatmeal.
5 Laura Rebecca // Jul 10, 2008 at 5:05 am
Yum. I love pecans in chocolate chip cookies; they are the perfect addition.
6 Patricia Scarpin // Jul 10, 2008 at 6:40 am
You have been such an inspiration, Jen, from the start! I completely trust your recipes, your photos are breathtaking and your generosity in sharing shows in every post.
Here’s to many more years to BoB! And these cookies are a great way of celebrating!
7 Amy // Jul 10, 2008 at 6:59 am
I love trying new chocolate chip recipes, I will definitely give this one a try, soon!
Congrats on the 2 years!
8 Jen // Jul 10, 2008 at 7:10 am
Congratulations on your 2 years! It is a great achievement to consistently write and post about all your wonderful baking feats that you share with us all. Keep up the great work!
9 cindy // Jul 10, 2008 at 7:20 am
Congrats on the 2 years,Jennifer!! Hope you have many moreto come! I have to say Chocolate chip is my all time fave! This rescipe sounds wonderful! Must try it soon!
10 Debra // Jul 10, 2008 at 7:34 am
I thought this recipe looked so familiar! I made a similar batch using white whole wheat. For the filling, I used white chocolate chips, toffee bits, cranberries & cashews. These cookies are buttery and you’re right about the oats, added great texture. The recipe I used - http://www.wholegraingourmet.com/recipes/43-cookies/69-ultimate-whole-wheat-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
11 kristin // Jul 10, 2008 at 8:54 am
Happy anniversary! These look delicious… that melty chocolate makes my mouth water.
12 gingela5 // Jul 10, 2008 at 9:29 am
That looks yummy! I bet the oats add a great texture to it!
13 Nick // Jul 10, 2008 at 9:59 am
Outstanding! I love the use of oats, I never would have expected that the “ultimate” chocolate chip cookies would have oats in them. I can imagine the texture is fabulous. Those cookies posted above at Whole Grain Gourmet by Debra also look incredible…. perhaps a bake-off?
14 Ashley // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Yum I’m always looking for new cookie recipes to try!
15 addy // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:16 pm
YUM! Those look sooo good! I will definite try them at some point. Probably soon.
16 Sorina // Jul 10, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Those are really terrific photos.
17 Ashley // Jul 10, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Congrats on your years! These look delicious - thanks for sharing!
18 Nan (and Jim) // Jul 10, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Happy Anniversary, BoB!!!
If these are the cookies I’m thinking about, they are THE best! They look wonderful.
Congratulations on two great years with your site. I could not possibly be more proud of my Little Sis! Here’s to another year with BoB!
Love you,
Nan
19 brilynn // Jul 10, 2008 at 5:11 pm
A favourite cookie recipe is a great way to celebrate 2 years, these look great! Congrats!
20 jennifer // Jul 10, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Thanks, Carmen!
Katrina, I’m not sure about that $250 cookie, either. It’s funny that I saw the NY Times cookie so soon after making these. I must try it, too!
Amanda, I have had Levain cookies a couple of times. They’re tight-lipped about their recipe, but I know there are a lot of impostor recipes out there.
Thanks, Kristin! I tried making these once without grinding the oats. Didn’t work out well.
Laura Rebecca, I love pecans in just about anything!
Patricia, as usual, you say the sweetest things!
Thanks, Amy!
Jen, thank you!
cindy, I hope you’ll like them.
Debra, I’ll have to check out that recipe some time. Sounds great!
kristin, I’m a sucker for hot, melty chocolate.
gingela5, the oats really make these something special.
Nick, keep in mind that they’re only “ultimate” to me. Maybe no one else thinks so.
Ashley, these are definitely worth a try.
addy, they are just delicious.
Thanks, Sorina!
Ashley, thank you!
Nan, they probably are the ones you’re thinking about since I’ve been making them for years.
Thanks, brilynn!
21 My Sweet & Saucy // Jul 10, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Thanks for the great looking recipe!
22 Dragon // Jul 10, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Oh, they look like they are still warm. Lovely.
23 giz // Jul 10, 2008 at 8:52 pm
That first picture just rips at the heart - it’s perfect - you couldn’t ask for a nicer looking cookie. Me want cookie!!!
24 jennifer // Jul 11, 2008 at 6:55 am
My Sweet & Saucy, you are welcome!
Thanks, Dragon. The only thing better than a chocolate chip cookie is a warm chocolate chip cookie.
Thanks, giz!
25 jeri // Jul 12, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Oh that makes me crave cookies! I do love oats in chocolate chip cookies - it’s just that little extra something that makes them perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
Just stumbled onto this blog today and I think it will be a new fave.
26 Kevin // Jul 12, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Nice shot with the melting chocolate!
27 jennifer // Jul 13, 2008 at 8:40 am
Welcome, jeri! Glad you found me.
Thanks, Kevin!
28 Sandie // Jul 13, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Two years of blogging - hip, hip, hooray!
I remember not long ago you mentioned chocolate chip cookies weren’t your favorite. Considering that, you managed to pick a very good recipe (and cookie) to highlight for your 2 year anniversary. Congratulations to you and here’s wishing you many more blog anniversaries to come!
29 jennifer // Jul 13, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Thanks a bunch, Sandie! Actually, plain chocolate chip cookies are not my favorite. These, on the other hand, are anything but plain with all the oats and pecans!
30 the caked crusader // Jul 14, 2008 at 1:18 am
Wow! Now that is an attention grabbing photo!
31 brandarling // Jul 14, 2008 at 7:13 am
on behalf of my husband, friends, and work colleagues, thank you! i made your cookies over the weekend (adding 1 tsp of cinnamon and omitting the nuts, but otherwise unchanged.) everyone has been raving about them. only trouble is that now they’ll expect me to make more! oh well, so be it
32 jennifer // Jul 14, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Thanks, caked crusader!
brandarling, I’m glad they were a hit! These are a blessing and a curse, as I assure you that you’ll get requests for them now.
33 Bronte // Jul 16, 2008 at 11:34 am
congrats on the 2 years!
i just wanted to say how much of a fan I am of your blog. Just the pictures and allll your amazing recipes are great!
I made these cookies yesterday for a little party I had, and they went over GREAT! Everyone loved them, so i wanted to say thanks so much!
<3
34 jennifer // Jul 16, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Thanks, Bronte! Good to hear that they were well-received.
35 joe // Jul 18, 2008 at 10:51 pm
If I don’t have the tools to make my own oat flour, how much flour does the recipe make? I suspect there’s a bunch of air in the whole oat measurement given. Thanks!
36 Bakerella // Jul 20, 2008 at 9:44 pm
If they’re your fave, then I’m sure they’ll be one of mine, too!
37 jennifer // Jul 21, 2008 at 8:42 pm
joe, I don’t know the exact measurement, but you’re right about the air. The volume is reduced quite a bit. I’d say maybe about half(?).
Thanks, Bakerella!
38 Karyn // Jul 28, 2008 at 12:59 am
Yum! I made these for my class today and they went down well. They were nice and soft and chewy - a trend slowly taking off in NZ. (We generally have firm and crispy biscuits.)
39 jennifer // Jul 28, 2008 at 9:46 am
Karyn, I’m glad you liked them!
40 Michelle // Aug 1, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Just had to let you know I finally got around to making these cookies! I made them with a mixture of Guittard milk chocolate chips (those “jumbo” sized chips) and chopped heath bar. I was careful not to over-bake and they turned out delish! Thanks for sharing your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe!
41 jennifer // Aug 2, 2008 at 4:12 pm
You’re welcome, Michelle! Glad you liked them.
42 Skeeto // Aug 3, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Yummmmy!
These are the same or about the same as the Joy of Cooking chocolate chip cookie. So great!
43 jennifer // Aug 4, 2008 at 6:46 am
Skeeto, I’ve never made that connection, but I’ll be sure to get out my copy and check it out. Thanks!
44 Lindsay // Aug 4, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I finally made these yesterday, and they were a hit at the office! I wasn’t too excited about them when they were fresh out of the oven, but they tasted great after cooling completely and sitting overnight. For the chocolate chips, I used the Guittard wafers, and for the milk chocolate, I froze and then chopped up some Ghirardelli chocolate squares. Delicious!
45 jennifer // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Lindsay, I actually like these best a day or two after I’ve made them. I forgot to mention that in my post. They just seem to get better and better!
46 skeptic // Aug 19, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I made these yesterday, omitting the chocolate bar, and they were great!. I use whole wheat flour instead of all purpose. Found they baked best 1t 300 degrees for 12 minutes.
47 jennifer // Aug 19, 2008 at 8:22 pm
skeptic, I’m glad you liked them!
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