Friday, April 22, 2011

Waiting For The Plumber Who Didn't Show Up Is Draining; Making Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies Save Me From A Day of Petulance



What do you do while waiting for a plumber who doesn't show up? Pacing, cleaning and catching up on reading lasts just so long. My out-of-house long 'to-do' list was undone and hanging over my head as I waited patiently and optimistically for the no-show repair crew.  To wrench me from my restlessness I decided to bake chocolate chip cookies.

A few years ago while working in New York City, our office was lucky enough to get some samples of a cookie made by restaurateur David Chang whose restaurant called Momofuku, has several eateries in the city. But it is his 'Milk Bar' where the bakery items are made. The cookie, called the 'compost', was the best I'd ever had. Back then, I made a vain attempt to imitate it using a recipe I found online. I failed miserably.

But today was a new day so while I waited I got out my collection of cookbooks. I found what sounded like a 'luxe' cookie in a book called 'Chocolate Snowball'. The recipes are from the Deer Valley Resort in Utah. Letty Halloran Flatt is the Executive Pastry Chef and deserves all the credit for a cookie recipe that rivals my memory of the Momofuku masterpiece.

I called the plumbing store toward the end of the day after waiting for four hours and was told they were coming in about two hours. We had plans for the evening so I angrily cancelled the appointment and decided to deal with it on another day. I was actually on a chocolate high, having just taste tested my first batch of the cookie whose recipe follows. Clogged shower? Not a problem. Double chocolate chip cookies? Priceless!

Both cookbooks are linked below. I made a few changes to the recipe highlighted in bold.

http://www.amazon.com/Momofuku-David-Chang/dp/030745195X

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Snowball-Fabulous-Pastries-Valley/dp/1560448288







Jumbo Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter softened
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon instant expresso coffee powder (I left this out, not being a coffee lover) 
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
 (I also added a smashed Heath Bar, a half cup of crushed walnuts and a half cup of raisins.)

Directions
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  • In large bowl with electric mixer, cream butter, sugar until light and fluffy
  • Add eggs and vanilla
  • Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
  • Add to the butter mix, scraping sides.
  • Add chips and other fillings
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use canola oil
  • Scoop dough into 1/2 cup mounds at least 3 inches apart.
  • Bake until flat about 25 -30 minutes.

2 comments:

  1. Hi,
    I was cruising the internet and came across your blog. Thank you for the compliment. I too love these cookies--and I love your idea of adding crushed Heath bars. I have made them without the white chocolate chips, substituting cashew pieces. They are yummy as well.
    Best,
    Letty

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your positive attitude is inspiring! Turning a frustrating day into a sweet one with homemade cookies shows resilience and creativity. Keep spreading joy! DNA Honest Plumbing

    ReplyDelete