August 31, 2016

Chocolate cookies with white and semisweet chocolate chunks

I can hardly believe it's been a couple of weeks now since my last post.  It's even harder to believe it's nearly time to bid farewell to summer.  We've had a good break and a nice summer but I'm definitely not ready to end our summer vacation.  
So let's console ourselves with some cookies?  I was inspired to bake these chocolate cookies, studded with white chocolate and semisweet chocolate chunks, after coming home from our recent vacation.  We went on a cruise - our very first!  My son has been asking and asking to go on one (since hearing so much about it from my sister, who is a seasoned cruiser) and we finally set sail recently for a few days to Bermuda. We had a nice, relaxing time and it was a fun change - the most appealing of which was the luxury and convenience of not having to fly!
While we were on our cruise, the fellas often stopped for a little snack in the form of a few cookies.  They ate a ton of chocolate ones - soft and slightly chewy, studded with white and dark chocolate chips.  I thought I'd make something similar now that we're home so I whipped up a batch of Ina Garten's chocolate white chocolate chunk cookies.  I opted to use both (mostly) semisweet chocolate and white chocolate.  I'm personally not a big fan of white chocolate but it adds a nice contrast.
Technically, the cookies from the cruise were labeled "mudslide" cookies; I think of chocolate mudslide cookies as having melted chocolate in the cookie dough (similar to this recipe).  These are simply flavored with cocoa powder, which make it even easier to turn out a batch.  And quite frankly, their sturdy, firm texture really mimic the cookies we had on board the ship.  These are soft, slightly chewy, with plenty of chocolate chunks waiting in every bite.  I am happy I was inspired to make these.
On the home front, I've been fairly busy.  We've polished off most of the goodies and things tucked away in the freezer so I've been motivated to begin anew. Among other things, I made a batch of vanilla ice cream with grated chocolate, and with these cookies on hand, I had to make a few ice cream sandwiches!
As you can tell, I have a tendency to overstuff my ice cream sandwiches - how about you?


These cookies have a pretty generous amount of chocolate chunks in them.  I made half the original recipe (18 cookies) and used about 1 1/2 cups (or 9 oz.) of chocolate chunks in total.  I went with roughly 3 oz. of white chocolate (it happened to be the amount I had on hand), with chopped semisweet for the rest.  Just FYI, Ina's recipe would call for an even more generous 2 cups of white chocolate chunks; while I think this cookie could handle it, I was a bit more reserved.
Mix the proportion of chocolates or add some nuts to customize the cookies to your own liking.  The original recipe calls for "exactly" 15 minutes of bake time but I suggest keeping an eye out on them and baking until they are just set (no longer look wet) but still moist.  I pulled mine out around the 12 minute mark.
You'll be rewarded with cookies ready for snacking, or ready to be filled with ice cream for ice cream sandwiches.  Either way, you've got a great treat.
And now, here we go into Labor Day weekend!  I hope you and your family have a great one!!

* Update (November 2019): Recipe below has been adjusted to include 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, something I noticed was added to the written recipe after my initial post.  I also like to use this base recipe to make chocolate peppermint chunk cookies; in that case, I simply go with about an equal mix of peppermint chunks and semisweet chocolate chunks.  I also add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, along with 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, to the cookie dough.  

Recipe:

Chocolate Cookies with White and Semisweet Chocolate Chunks
Adapted from Ina Garten

- Makes approximately 18 cookies - 

1 stick (4oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 extra-large egg, at room temperature
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Dutch-process), sifted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) white and semisweet chocolate chunks (I went with 3 oz. of white chocolate and 6 oz. of semisweet but use a combination you prefer)

Cream butter and sugars together in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy.  Add vanilla and egg, mixing until combined, scraping the bowl as needed.  Add cocoa powder and mix until just incorporated.  

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.  With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the batter, until just combined.  Fold in the chocolate chunks using a rubber spatula.  Cover cookie dough and chill for at least an hour, or overnight (this is not absolutely necessary but I find it easier to work with a firmer dough).  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.  Drop cookie dough onto the baking sheet using a 1 1/2 tablespoon ice cream scoop, spacing them about 2 inches apart.  Dampen your fingers and flatten the cookie mounds slightly.  Bake until cookies are just set but still moist (no longer look wet but it's okay if they seem slightly underdone), about 12-15 minutes. Remove pans from the oven, let cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy the cookies warm, at room temperature, or filled with ice cream for ice cream sandwiches!





38 comments:

  1. These look wonderful Monica! And you went on a cruise - how fun. I've never been - we just can't seem to make ourselves get on a boat with that many people. However, they do sail from Baltimore, which is close to our home, so we could do it without flying - bonus! I would be tempted to eat way too much on a trip like that. Did you enjoy the food? Other than cookies :)

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    1. You and I are definitely on the same page, Tricia! I was reluctant to go on a cruise (and we put it off as long as we could) but we finally gave it a go and compromised on a short one to try. We went on Royal Caribbean and the process was really seamless and easy. The ship was huge and it wasn't incredibly crowded - hanging out at the pool all day isn't our thing but overall, there was plenty of space everywhere. The food...it was probably better than I expected...the restaurants were nice and the portions not too huge and food not too heavy. The ship did have a Jamie Oliver Italian restaurant that was probably my husband and my favorite (really good so I can imagine the "real" thing on land). Overall, it was a good time though still not something I'd want to do over and over again. : )

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  2. Welcome back Monica... Wow A cruise to Bermuda lucky lucky you. I have never been on a cruise, but I dream to make one. That said, you really spoil us fine with with these delights) this cookies are a treat

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    1. Oh, pics of your trips in Europe make me wish I was there! They are seriously dreamy!

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  3. I definitely need some of these cookies to console me..I don't want summer to end! Whipping up a batch of these bad boys soon!

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    1. Totally hate the thought of giving up the "free" and "easy" summer time! Sigh...definitely need more cookies, Ashley! ; )

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  4. Welcome back dear. I missed your recipes. I want these cookies right now :-) Looks so perfect and delicious!

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    1. How sweet of you! It always feels like home when you take a batch of cookies out of the oven.

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  5. I love cookies like this! Great recipe for the end of summer.

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  6. Welcome home, Monica! Hope you guys had fun on your trip - a cruise sounds like so much fun! :) These yummy cookies are the perfect treat to indulge in before school starts. Can't believe how quickly this summer flew by!

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    1. Cruising was definitely a good new experience for us. Totally worth a try and not having to deal much with luggage and flying was a big plus. Time is sure going too fast but what can you do...

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  7. Glad to know that you had a great summer vacation! These cookies look wonderful with lots of chocolate!

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    1. Thank you! Hope you're enjoying each and every day. : )

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  8. Omg these are heaven !! Who doesn't like chocolate cookies and then using them for ice cream sandwiches ? What could be better ! Glad you had a wonderful time on your cruise, there's nothing like family time! Have a great weekend !!

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you also love the simple pleasure of homemade cookies. : )

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  9. Whoa, that looks like an epic dessert of chocolate cookie and ice cream. Nice to know you had great summer vacation. I love cruises. Where did you guys go?

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    1. Hi Balvinder! We went to Bermuda on board Royal Caribbean. We have now officially satisfied our curiosity about cruising. : ) I think the little one is ready to go back anytime. It really was quite relaxing.

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    2. Cruising is very relaxing and fun!Glad you all enjoyed.

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  10. Wow Monica, these cookies look delicious...decadent, and yes, I love the idea of making ice cream sandwich with them...I am not ready to let summer go...
    Hope you are having a great week :)

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    1. Yes, don't they look so dark and decadent! All those chocolate chips always call out to me! : ) Have a great weekend as well.

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  11. A crusie sounds like a wonderful way to create special family memories. Love these cookies Monica, glad you are back.

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    1. Thanks so much, Cheri. Where did this summer go. I knew it would be this way so at least I was mentally prepared...but still, I don't want to let go!!

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  12. Lovely that you had a nice summer vacation. I love chocolate cookies with chocolate chunks. These cookies are making me drool, specially the one with the melting white chocolate. I am sure my family would love this. Thanks fro lovely share.

    Anu
    www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/

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    1. I am always glad to see melty chocolate chunks, too! ; )

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  13. Wow! Bermuda! It sounds so amazing that there are people who can actually get to Bermuda so easily, for me, so far away, sounds like an impossible dream... :) I love the cookies and especially the idea of serving them with ice cream, that would make my kids particularly happy.

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    1. I understand...my husband and I were just talking about this last night. You have so many amazing places to go to near you that I won't feel too bad. : )

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  14. Wow, those cookies looks perfect, I would love to try one!:)

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    1. Thanks - my family could use another batch. ; )

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  15. Goodness, these look amazing - especially the ones with the ice cream in the middle!

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    1. Yes, they were calling out to be made into ice cream sandwiches.

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  16. Replies
    1. They are a nice contrast against the dark chocolate cookies...thanks!

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  17. OMG Monica how thick and chewy these are!! I am so craving these now with my tea. And the one with ice cream , girl please be my neighbor so I can come over and eat all of these!! Yum!! Have a relaxing weekend!

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    1. I'm glad the trip inspired me to try this recipe. It was a tasty one. Thank you!

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  18. I have never been on a cruise, but appreciate that they can be a relaxing get-away and a hassel-reduced form of travel. I am intrigued by the smaller boats that do river cruises in Europe. Maybe some day. :) The important thing, is making happy family memories and it sounds like that is just what you did! Any vacation filled with cookies like these sounds like a good one to me. :) I love the combination of dark and white chocolate.

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    1. My husband and I have also seen shows with those river cruises in Europe and we're curious, too. Maybe some day... : ) The trip was fun and I'm happy to finally try it; the little guy has asked for a while!

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  19. I am always annoyed that Ina’s recipes call for XL eggs since I never have them on hand.

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