What kind of post title is this? I hope it is a somewhat humorous one although I cannot hold a candle to the dark, sarcastic, snarky humor in Heartburn by the late Nora Ephron. I loved it!
Heartburn by Ephron is the current selection for Cook the Books, a club of food bloggers and avid readers who glean inspiration from foodie literary works. I truly enjoyed this read.
But, what to make, what to make?
Key lime pie or carrot cake….that was my conundrum. These two recipes play a prominent roll in this novel, especially the climactic key lime pie. Which one would I make for this CTB post?
Well, I did not want to tackle a layer cake and I really do not care for key lime pie.
I had no idea.
Then, I reviewed my underlinings and scribblings from my dog-eared copy of the novel.
I found this sentence about New York:
I look out the window and I see the lights and the skyline and the people on the street rushing around looking for action, love, and the world’s greatest chocolate chip cookie, and my heart does a little dance.
That would be it. I had been planning at least one post on a quest for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie EVAH. This would be my CTB post. I would also make the most famous (and “Best EVAH!”) Chocolate Chip Cookie from the prestigious Levain Bakery in NYC. I found the recipe at Juanita’s Cocina. (I heart her blog and she cracks me up!) The only change I made was to add some chopped Scharffen Berger chocolate instead of chocolate chips. I also added walnuts instead of the originally called-for pecans.
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
from Juanita’s Cocina1 c. cold unsalted butter
1 c. light brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 large farm fresh eggs
1 t. pure vanilla extract
3/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 T. cornstarch
3 1/3 c. all purpose flour
9.7 oz. 70% Scharffen Berger Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate bar, chopped
1 c. nuts, choppedPreheat oven to 350 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon pads.
Using a stand mixer (or large bowl and hand mixer), cream the butter and sugars together. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in between each addition. Mix in the vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Gradually add in the flour, mixing in between each addition, until all flour has been added and dough is just mixed.
Stir in the chocolate pieces and pecans, mixing until ingredients are just incorporated.
Drop using a medium cookie scoop onto lined baking sheets.
Place in freezer for 10 minutes. Remove from the freezer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or just until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a cool.
These are very “bakery” like. If you like a crisper yet fluffy cookie, you will love these. We did.
The original recipe makes twelve (12) HUGE cookies! I made smaller, more managable ones. Plus, don’t you just feel better when you eat a tiny (in comparison) chocolate chip cookie?? 🙂
Thanks to the great hosts at CTB:
We all bid a sad farewell to Joanna of Food Junkie Not Junk Food as she turns over her hosting duties and reigns to Heather. Welcome, Heather! Heather leads off the next selection for CTB.
Heather of girlichef is leading us of with the thrill-a-minute mega-best seller, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, adding a fun optional opportunity to share some foodie book and film fun. She says, “Imagine if you will, a post-apocalyptic world in which the select few dress, eat, and live extravagantly. The rest? They hunt, forage, and farm to put foods in their bellies. Also imagine having to send your child between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight to the death, with only one winner, alongside 23 other children. A tale of survival set in the Nation of Panem sometime in the future, this novel may have been written with a young audience in mind, but I think that people of all ages can (theoretically) relate.
*Special edition: This book was recently made into a film, and we will be announcing an optional feature this round – combine reading the book with watching the film-adaptation. We will be joining forces with Food ‘n Flix for an extended dose of The Hunger Games.” (Details to come but you can learn more about Food ‘n Flix here.)
Great post! No, wonderful post! I am loving the look of your muffins and your review was spot on. I am still tweeking my post, have been busy at my other blog Novel Meals, but I plan to participate.
By the way, I enjoyed Hunger Games too. Can not wait to see what you make 🙂
I just started following Novel Meals so I can keep ups with all your blogs. I seem not to be able to put Hunger Games down. I’m really surprised about the descriptive amount of food in that novel.
My goodness – these look great and CC cookies are Mr. Picky eater’s fave. So, this shows my ignorance of all things domestic: I had one of those “fork” thingies that is in your picture with the chocolate? Ha! Who knew it was a chocolate chipper? I thought it was a fancy pie docker! 🙂 You always have a great post.
I need to make some more today. And, please do not sell yourself short. I had never heard of “docking” until your post on chocolate mint pie.
I have always wanted to try “those” cookies – they definitely look and sound amazing. Especially with your addition of those dreamy chocolate chunks. I underlined that line in the book, too ;). And YES, my son read the whole series before I did and kept telling me about it. Then we went to see the movie when it came out. I loved it – the minute I got home I snagged his books and read all three pretty much straight through. Loved them. I wish the movie had worked the food into it a little bit more, but that’s we’re doing the “double feature”! 🙂
I know you will love these cookies. Truly a, going to make another batch today.
What a great idea to team up. I can’t wait to see what everyone will create.
Chocolate cookies…they are favourite. Gotta check out the book. Sounds like a great read too.
It was good. I really felt for her and her tribulations with the soon to be ex.
Fantastic review my friend I really want to read it now 🙂
LOVE these cookies too by the way!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks. You will get a great feel for the 70s and American food and culture.
In my best inner New York accent I thought those look LIKE the best EVAH cookies. KalamatiKelli you’re not alone…I’ve never seen that fork thingy. I learned so much today. Can’t wait to see what Hunger Games bring.
I just finished the book and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
I have not read this book but now I’m curious! Just added it to my books to read list. I guess I’ll have to make a batch of these yummy cookies before I start reading it. What a life – cookies and books!
That looks like a neat tool for chopping chocolate. And good choice of chocolate. I am glad to read you enjoyed the book. Thank you so much for contributing in this edition of Cook the Books!
I know what she means by our search for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I’ve got scads of recipes, and now another to add, and give a try.
Oh my those cookies look delicious–and how could they not be with all that lovely Scharffen Berger! 😉 A great pick.
I am looking forward to the Hunger Games movie/book combo too. 😉
[…] I thought I had found success with an adaptation of Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies from Jen at Juanita’s Cocina that I posted for a Cook the Books post. […]
[…] Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies (which I declared as the best “EVAH” at least up until I found the aforementioned recipe.) […]
[…] it may not be the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie EVAH (from a previous CTB post), these are certainly tasty and the easiest recipe ever. I added […]