Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies

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My favorite kind of chocolate chip cookie is cakey and thick. It is a chewy and warm and can reliably be purchased at Levain's Bakery in New York City. In my twenty-three year life span, I have endeavored several dozen recipes to achieve this end at home. But over the weekend, when I made scones, it occurred to me that I might adapt that scone recipe to create a cookie of a similar consistency. 

The key to maintaining the shape? Using butter that is extremely cold. And using much less butter than the canonical Toll House recipe. 

RECIPE

Ingredients:

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup of chocolate chips
  •  

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Slice butter into edamame-sized pieces, then stick it in the freezer.

  • In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until fluffy.

  • Rub the butter into the dry ingredients quickly using your fingertips until no pieces larger than a pea remain.

  • Add the cream and egg to the dry ingredients, and mix with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips, and knead a few times if necessary.

  • Use an ice cream scoop to scoop even sized portions of cookie dough onto the parchment paper, leaving about 1.5 inches of space in between each scoop of dough.

  • When you put the baking sheet in the oven, lower the temperature to 375.

  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden and firm.

  • Enjoy.

25 minutes prep time, 1 hour total. Makes 16 cookies.