I love watching Top Chef. This season it is all about desserts — my kind of show! Last week the amazing cake decorator, Sylvia Weinstock, was a guest judge. In the challenge to make desserts for a bake sale, contestant Erika Davis made chocolate chip cookies. The judges commented that if you do something so simple it has to be done very well. They raved about these cookies. I can only assume that Sylvia is a fabulous baker so I was surprised when she asked more than once for the recipe. I think I make a mean chocolate chip cookie, but had to give these a try!
Chunky Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
- ¾ c sugar
- ¾ c brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ lb butter
- 2 ½ c AP flour
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ c chocolate chips
- 1 c walnuts
1. Cream the butter, sugars, eggs together then add the vanilla, salt and baking soda. Scrape the sides and add the baking powder and flour. Mix till incorporated and add the walnuts and chocolate chips just till mixed.
2. Scoop and bake at 345 degrees. for 11-13 minutes. Baking times may vary dependent on your oven and altitude, check often on first batch.
The verdict:
They are delicious! I only added walnuts to half the batter since my family members are chocolate chip cookie purests and looked on in horror when I opened the bag of walnuts. With or without the nuts this is a really good chocolate chip cookie.
Let me know if it beats your chocolate chip cookie recipe!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/dining/091crex.html
I just made a batch of these over the weekend and they are the best I’ve had. The sea salt sprinkle on top sounded weird at first but was a nice added touch. The only change we made was using Ghirardelli milk chocolate chip instead of the suggested bittersweet disks.
I tried these today and I am sticking with crisco recipe.
Have you ever tried the recipe that calls for vanilla pudding mix? They are mighty tasty and always look perfect. The Nieman Marcus choco chip cookies are also to die for!
These werent the best for sure, I made them just earier. I like the Crisco recipe on the tub, made with butter flavor shortening. I also prefer using only brown sugar.
Just a quick question…did I miss the winner announcements? I couldn’t find them and wondered if I missed them. Thanks.
pretty close to mine EXCEPT I always reduce white sugar to 1/4 c and add 1 sm pkg of instant pudding mix (usually vanilla) YUMMMM oh and don’t over cook 🙂
I was just going to write this down when I realized, it is EXACTLY the same recipe I have been using since, well, forever. It really is the best.
My son won’t allow any nuts in baked goods, either! These look so good with or without. I’ll be making them asap.
Mmmmm…these look sooo good!
Sounds like a great recipe. My current favorite is is Island Cookies (http://www.meals.com/Recipes/Island-Cookies.aspx?recipeid=30147) they have coconut and walnuts. YUM! However, I am in search of a basic cookie. I will have to try these.
I saw this episode of Top Chef and wondered what her recipe was. So glad you tested it out. But I have to agree w/Jennifer. The recipe is almost identical to the Nestle Tollhouse recipe. Which is the recipe I use. And everyone raves about the cookies. hehe…
How long do you bake them ??
Just curious what you scooped them onto the sheet with (Tbsp. or 1/4 cup measuring cup) and the time amount that you baked them.
Hmmm. Other that adding baking powder and a touch more flour, this is identical to Nestle Tollhouse. I do find that using half butter and half crisco makes a better cookie, fyi.
funny – I’m in the middle of a best-chocolate-chip-cookie-ever search! I’ll be trying these!
http://craftedition.blogspot.com/2010/10/calling-all-chocolate-chip-cookies.html