101 perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Excerpted recipes from
101 PERFECT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
by Gwen Steege

The chocolate chip cookie is, without a doubt, North America's favorite cookies. Nothing beats a steaming, chewy cookie from the oven, its chocolate still gooey and smooth — perfection! But everyone has a different idea of what makes a perfect chocolate chip cookie, and the variations in this book provide something for everyone.

MONA'S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Mona B. Spencer, Vancouver WA

Whether you choose butter or margarine, Mona's recipe is sure to please. Remember that butter will make the cookies crisp, and margarine will make them cakey.

2 cups plus 4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter or margarine, softened until almost melted
12 ounces (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Sift the flour with the baking soda and salt. Add the sugars, eggs, vanilla, and butter or margarine, and beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookies are golden. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 4 Dozen

WHITE CHOCOLATE AND MACADAMIA NUT CHIPPERS
Danita Yanniello, Burbank, CA

For a special treat, make 6-inch cookies and serve warm with ice cream. You can substitute 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips for 1 cup of the white chocolate chips, and use almonds instead of macadamias. The optional coconut is a special inspiration of Danita's 2-year-old son, who tossed in a handful when his mother wasn't looking.

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 ounces (2 cups) white chocolate chips, or bulk white chocolate cut into 1/4" chunks
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup coconut (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, sugars, and egg until fluffy. Stir in the dry ingredients and blend in the vanilla. Gently stir in the chocolate, nuts, and coconut.

3. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing cookies a few inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown. Cool slightly, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 2 1/2 dozen

MOCHA DREAMS
Barbara Nowakowski, North Tonawanda, NY

Coffee and chocolate have a natural affinity, and this recipe for eggless, coffee-flavored cookies capitalizes on the mutual attraction. Because these cookies don't spread, they're a good choice when you need a lot of small, bite-sized cookies.

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted (sweet) butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
12 ounces (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Blend in the vanilla and coffee granules. Add the sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture and blend well. Stir in the chocolate and the nuts.4. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto lightly buttered baking sheets, spacing well apart. Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool slightly before removing from baking trays.Yield: About 5 Dozen

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