cookie #2

Editor's Note: This is the second instalment in my quest to make the best chocolate chip cookies. Please feel free to leave recipe suggestions or tips in the comments below. All related posts can be found by clicking the "in the kitchen" label on the right side of the page.

This time, I went with my old faithful — the Nestle Toll House recipe. It was my first time baking in our new apartment and it was a challenge to say the least. This oven runs much, much hotter than our old one. I pre-heated to 375, as the recipe instructed, knowing full well that the cookies would never survive a full 9 to 11 minutes. I baked each pan for about 8 minutes, and they were a bit over done around the edges, which never happens when I use my silicone baking sheet. Going forward, I think I will reduce the heat and maintain the suggested cooking time. Do you think this is a better strategy?

Moving on ... The recipe:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips (this time I used mini chips)

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

These cookies didn't disappoint. My lovely preggers friend HH gives them a glowing 5 stars — "I love that they were soft and chewy, because that's my number-one priority in a cookie. I also liked the hint of salt, because to me, that totally means they are homemade -- you never get that 'tasting all of the ingredients' feel in a boughten cookie." Creative partner C said they're not the best I've ever made; she found them a bit salty. Lovely friend T and Husband both gave them a thumbs up.

Here's the verdict:

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

Taste: 4 of 5 stars. The reviews were mixed, but overall, this seems like a winner. It's one of my most-used recipes, for sure.

Texture: 4 of 5 stars. They were still soft, despite the extreme heat of our new oven. I'll have to trial-and-error with the cooking time and temp to get them just right.

Overall: 4 of 5 stars.