I learned something new about chocolate chip cookies a few weeks ago. And I decided to put the theory to the test. I made these double peanut butter chocolate chip cookies…then took them to a church picnic…and they got RAVE reviews.
I recently stumbled upon a New York Times article about the science and history of how chocolate chip cookies became so popular and why.
The article revealed an important theory when baking chocolate chip cookies. I have tested this theory out a few times with different batches of dough and it seems to be true!
Theory: Cookies bake to perfection, perfectly crispy on the edge and gooey in the middle, only after the dough has had at least 24 hours to sit in the fridge. The article even suggests letting the dough sit for up three days before baking.
The reasoning: Waiting allows the wet ingredients to soak into the dry ingredients. When given the proper amount of time to do this, the cookie will bake to perfection.
If you are a lover of the peanut butter and chocolate flavor combination, then I highly recommend conducting an experiment of your own to see if this theory stands true for you. Test it out with this double peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe!
Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
- 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- egg
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup candy-coated peanut butter candy
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
- With a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and egg until its smooth.
- Gently beat in the dry ingredients until the dough forms. Add in the chocolate chips and the candy-coated peanut butter candy.
- Place a piece of wax or parchment paper on a clean surface and spoon the dough onto the middle of the paper. Form the dough into a long log and then fold the paper over the dough, wrapping it inside the paper. Let the wrapped dough sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before slicing and baking.
- If youd like to freeze the dough, I recommend letting it sit in the fridge for 24 hours, then transferring it to the freezer.
- To bake, preheat the oven to 350 F and cut the dough into 1/4 inch circles. Bake in the pre-heated oven for nine to 11 minutes. If baking from frozen dough, bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool the cookies on a cooling rack before serving.
I challenge you to let your cookie dough sit in the fridge for at least a day to see if you discover a difference in the way the cookies bake. Try it and let me know how it works out for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What are some of your cookie dough recipes?
Recipe originally posted on SCJohnson.com.
Lynn says
I just read the reason why you should let it sit and I am going to try this with my recipe and add in the peanut butter. We love cookies around here! Especially homemade ones, yum!
Christy says
Are you kidding? Who makes cookie dough and lets it sit in the fridge for 3 days? I’d eat it all by then!
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
LOL! You have to just keep dough constanly rotating Christy! That’s what my friend said when I was telling her about it. You just make a few batches, one at a time…then freeze what you don’t bake that week 🙂
It’s been working for me!
Erin
Josileide says
gorgeous. amazing. i love lkoniog at your work. God has given you such a great stinkin’ gifting it’s not even funny. it’s actually pretty stinkin’ amazing. let’s see how many more times i can say stinkin’. wonderful job.
Shelly says
I think soon I’m going to test this – I’m going to make half the recipe right away, and let the other sit for a day or two before baking it. Then compare the quality. Thanks for that, Erin!
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Let us know what you discover! I did my batch 1 day later and 3 days later. I’d love to know the difference for right away and a day or two later.
Erin
Shannon says
I always put my cookie dough in the fridge. Unless I need the cookies for an occasion the dough sits in the fridge until we want cookies. For example, on the way home from church Wed. evening my son wanted ice cream. We didn’t want to spend any money. I said how about when we get home I make you some homemade cookies? Pulled the dough out and made 9 cookies. All but two were eaten and I threw them in his lunch the next day. I always have fresh cookies for company, neighbors or what have you. Day old cookies just don’t cut it in our house anymore.
Evelyn says
Wow, that’s interesting…I always thought that if you kept your dough in the fridge/freezer it would dry out. That’s what always happens to me. Of course, when I make cookie dough and freeze it, it’s in there for much longer than 24 hours. I’m gonna try two batches out and try this!
Marcella says
My kids would eat the dough raw…