The best chocolate chip cookies

A wet Saturday called for a bit of baking, so my daughter and I set about making some cookies. I searched around online, but ended up on Nigella’s site as I think she is the queen of baking and always shares reliable recipes. I think her cookies are particularly good, however I didn’t think they would be THIS good! They’re literally my favourite cookie EVER! No exaggeration.

I adapted Nigella’s recipe slightly by using dark brown sugar instead of light and left out the extra egg yolk and vanilla essence. They’re super easy to make and a good one to do with kids; my 11 year old pretty much made these by herself, which she loved. I’m just her sous chef! In fact probably more kitchen porter / dishwasher to be honest.

Ingredients

Makes 16 large cookies

• 150g unsalted butter, soft

• 100g soft dark brown sugar

• 125g golden caster sugar

• 1 egg (fridge-cold)

• 300 g plain flour

• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• 320g dark chocolate chips

Method

• Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C Fan/325°F.

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.

• Melt the butter in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on how cold it is and then let it cool a bit.

• Put the both the sugars into a bowl and pour in the melted butter, beat together.

• Next beat in the egg until the mixture is light and creamy.

• Mix the bicarbonate of soda into the flour and slowly add to the bowl, beating as little as possible - I add one large serving spoon of flour at a time. Then fold in the chocolate chips.

• Use a tablespoon and scales to divide up the dough into 60g portions, rolling each one into a rough ball and then placing on the lined tray 8cm apart. We made two batches and kept the dough in the fridge while the first one cooked.

• Bake for 15–17 minutes, allow to cool for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.

Tip

I’m going to use this recipe as a base for changing the flavours and ingredients as I think the following would be so good too:

• Milk chocolate & hazelnut

• Pistachio & dark chocolate

• Chocolate orange (using flavoured chocolate)

• White chocolate & cranberry

• Pecan & raisin