Secret Ingredient CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES -Shhhhh! - 52 Cookie Recipes

Shhhhh!

Keep quiet and be a star!

Everyone needs an everyday Chocolate Chip cookie recipe.  And truth be told, no matter what you might read, the recipe on the bag is really really good.

But some days you want to show off.  Some days you need a little something something extra to make your cookies stand out as the "Best I've ever had"!

And here it is.

First, a little extra texture... Almond Meal.  This also adds a slight nutty flavor.  I like to add some walnuts to my cookies but not everyone likes that extra crunch.  Adding a bit of almond meal will get you a slight extra nutty flavor without the crunchy texture of adding nuts.

Next, a little extra Flavor... Cayenne Pepper Spice AND the Zest of an Orange.  Be very conservative (1/4 tsp or just a tiny pinch) is plenty.  You really can not taste the spice but it does increase the number of taste buds that taste your cookies making them a fuller flavored cookie.  Relly, it's too much science-y stuff, but there are some taste buds that only taste Hot Spicy things... Like Cayenne Pepper Spice.  Same applies to the orange zest.  just a little extra citrus flavor.  Not really enough to single out the flavor, but certainly something something extra.

And finally... Increase the chocolate chips.  'Nuff Said!

Keep scrolling down, the full recipe follows, but I will promise that this recipe will make your cookies stand out from the pack.

Just keep it down, or pretty soon everyone will have your secrets.

Enjoy!

 OK... Here's what I did...

Secret Ingredient
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Flour
• 1/4 Cup Almond Meal
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tiny pinch (less than 1/8th TSP) Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Cup (2 Sticks) Butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 Cup Sugar
• Zest of 1 Medium Orange
• 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 Large Eggs
• 2-1/2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Lots of Chips)
• 1 Cup Walnut Pieces (optional)

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix Butter, Sugar, Orange Zest, Vanilla and Brown Sugar with the paddle attachment until Creamy.
3. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl whisk together the Flour, Almond Meal, Salt and Cayenne Pepper until well combined.
4. Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mix and mix for one additional minute.
5. Remove bowl from the stand mixer. Fold wet ingredients and dry ingredients together until well mixed. BUT do not over mix. Once the ingredients have been incorporated, add the Chocolate Chips and optional nuts. Fold until evenly mixed.
6. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto the cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 9 minutes until edges just start to brown. The goal is to have a bit of crunch on the outside while the center is soft and chewy.
8. Remove the tray from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring the cookies onto a cooling rack.
9. Makes 4 to 5 dozen, Serve still a bit warm from the oven with an ice cold glass of milk and ENJOY!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Ways to Cook COOKIE, BARS and TRUFFLES"!!!

Old school like classic criss cross peanut butter to new takes on interesting recipes like a beautiful Red Velvet with the cream cheese mixed inside the cookie, accented with white chocolate chips!  Even a Pineapple Cream Cheese EASY Bar with only 5 ingredients! 

Stop on by, there's always a new cookie in the cookie jar!

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