I’m a little behind on my Instagram these days (both reading and using), but I did get word that Alison Roman’s Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies were (still are?) making the rounds on social media and that some consider them the perfect chocolate chip cookies. The recipe is from the new cookbook, Dining In, which I’m pretty excited about having read the description. If these cookies are representative of the other recipes, it’s probably worth ordering.
So far I’ve made the cookies twice. For the first round, I made 1/4 of the batch (easy to do when there’s no egg) and used a combination of unsalted butter and salt. The cookies were fantastic. They are not really like regular chocolate chip cookies at all and I wouldn’t put them in that category, but they are tops as far as shortbread goes. The second time I used European style butter (Plugra). The cookies spread more, so as soon as I pulled them from the oven I pushed the edges inward to nudge them back into rounds. I was worried they’d be too fatty tasting given the spread, but once they cooled and set they did not seem overly greasy. It’ll be fun trying the recipe with different brands of fancy butter and chocolate.
If you are a shortbread fan, these are for you. Below is how I made the cookies, and the original recipe is on Bon Appetit. Like reviewers on Bon Appetit I had issues with the dough falling apart. No worries! If it falls apart, just push it back together. The cookies will be fine.
- 9 ounces salted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (I used unsalted and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- 1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar (50 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour (I used 290 grams)
- 6 ounces semisweet or bittersweet dark chocolate, chopped (but not too fine, you want chunks, not thin shards of chocolate)
- 1 large egg, beaten to blend
- Sparkling sugar or Demerara Sugar
- Flaky sea salt
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until light and creamy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes until batter is very light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.
- Using a heavy duty scraper, scrape down sides of bowl. With mixer on low speed, slowly add flour (or do it by hand), then add chocolate chunks and stir until blended.,
- Divide dough in half, then place each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold plastic over to cover dough and protect your hands from getting all sticky. Using your hands, form dough into two log shapes that are just about 2¼" in diameter. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush outside of logs with egg wash. Roll logs in coarse sugar.
- Slice each log into ½"-thick rounds. If dough falls apart when you cut it, just squish it back together in a circle.
- Arrange on prepared baking sheet about 1" apart (they won’t spread much). Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake cookies until edges are just beginning to brown, 12–15 minutes. Let cool.
Heidi, that’s pretty much my opinion. They’re awesome cookies but they are not really chocolate chip. I’ll definitely make them again when someone requests shortbread, but they just can’t replace chocolate chip. By the way, I’ve been making this recipe over and over the past week. These cookies are big, flat and chewy. They call for cake flour. https://www.cookiemadness.net/2017/10/big-flat-chocolate-chunk-cookies/
I made these for the first time yesterday. I think they are terrific but I think I prefer just regular soft chocolate chip cookies to these. Mine didn’t spread at all so I packed my cookie sheet full. Isn’t it funny how some recipes become all the rage? These have like a cult following now! I don’t know if I will make these again.
I’m about to try them with Kerrygold right now. I’ll post an update.
I love these too! I used Costco butter the first time and I think they were prettier, more like the picture but for the second time I used Kerry gold and like yours, mine spread out more but I also think they tasted better! This is a really great dough to have on hand in the freezer or fridge