Chocolate Chunk Cookies and The Secret Recipe Club

I'm back for my second round of The Secret Recipe Club!  The idea is that each participating blogger is assigned one of the other participating blogs (much like a Secret Santa). No one reveals whose blog they have, they just visit, pick a recipe, and make it!  If you'd like more information about joining in, just pop on over and visit Amanda at Amanda's Cookin. 

My assigned blog this month was Foodness Gracious.  I absolutely love a clever blog title!!  One of the first things I noticed was that this is a guy food blogger!  Sorry, I just didn't realize y'all were out there....guess that's where stereotypes will get me, huh?  Actually it's a great blog with lots of good food and interesting dishes.  Plus you've gotta check out some of his photos because the man's got some mad food photography skills!  :)

But moving on to the recipe I selected.  When in doubt, do a dessert!  These cookies are actually featured in his blog header so I figured that has to be a good sign, right!?  And they didn't disappoint!  What came out of my oven was a cookie that was crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.  Perfection, no?  I followed the recipe as written but what's great about this recipe is that you could make a few changes to suit your personal taste.  For instance, switching out the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate.

As I mentioned, I didn't alter the ingredient list.  But I made several changes to the mixing process.  The original has a little more of a "dump and combine" approach, but I just went with what I'd call a little more a traditional cookie dough approach because I was a little leery of how the melted butter would affect the dough consistency. Just my opinion, but I'm certainly no expert.  :)

Like this cute treat box I made?  Find out how to make your own here

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Recipe Source: Foodness Gracious

1 1/2 Cups AP flour, If still too soft throw in some more flour. (This amount was perfect when I made them)
1/2 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder.
1/2 tsp baking soda.
1/2 tsp coarse salt.
4ozs good milk chocolate plus more for adding in when mixed, I used 6oz white chunks to fold in at the end but you could switch it for dark. (I used semi sweet chocolate for melting, and white chocolate for folding in)
1 Stick of butter.
1 1/2 Cups sugar.
2 Large eggs.
1 tsp vanilla.

Directions

Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl and set aside.  I personally like to sift my cocoa powder.

Using a double boiler, melt 4 oz of semisweet chocolate along with 2 Tbls of butter, stirring often. 

Cream together the sugar and remaining butter in a stand mixer (or using an electric mixer).  Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.  Stir in the melted chocolate mixture.  I allowed mine to cool slightly so as not to "cook" the eggs.  Then add in the dry ingredients by thirds, mixing until combined.  Fold in the white chocolate chips.

Using a cookie scoop, drop dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.  They should appear slightly puffed up with a cracked surface.

Allow to cool on the pan for about 10 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.