Chocolate Chip Cookie Hunt-Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I've had this idea for months!  I thought it was time to finally just do it!  Let's go on a Chocolate Chip Cookie Hunt together!  Maybe I've sang Bear Hunt too many times. haha or maybe I just really love cookies but on my quest to find the best CCC I've tried lots of recipes.  I thought it would be fun to do it with everyone!  If you're a cookie lover you've probably been on your own hunt to find the very best.  

Each Sunday I will announce the new recipe we'll focus on that week, and I'm hoping to make them that day too, but feel free to make them anytime you can/want throughout the week.  We'll share our thoughts and feedback of the recipe.  As the weeks go on you can freeze a couple dough balls each week and then we can bake them all up and compare them every so often.  Then we'll decide which cookie is the best of them all!  As time passes we'll have lots of cookies, gained cookie baking experience, and have tried lots of new cookie recipes (with I'm guessing lots of success!).

I'll be sharing some of my favorite recipes, tips, and tricks I've learned!  We'll be making some of my favorite recipes as well as some I've always wanted to try!  Cookies are fast, easy and comforting, making them is a specialty and trade we'll need for the rest of our lives! :)Think of it as a virtual Bake-A-Long with RuthAnne, Chocolate Chip Cookie edition!  Hope you Bake-A-Long with me!

Every so often I will pick a random winner to win some of my favorite cookie baking supplies, special ingredients for the next upcoming Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes, or cookie must haves!  In order to be entered to win these giveaways you have to post to your stories or IG feed the cookies you made and tag me on Instagram @ruthanne.strong and use the hashtag #chocolatechipcookiehuntwithRuthAnne so that means the more cookies you make, and share on social media the more chances you have of winning!  Honestly it's a win-win situation!

So let's get started!  Grab your mixing bowl and preheat your oven let's get baking!

For the week of May 17 (THIS week!) we will use the Original Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!

Find the Original Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe HERE!  It's also right on the back of the Nestle Chocolate Chip bag.  I love to get the big bag from Costco so it lasts a lot longer but the small, regular bags at the grocery store are perfect as well!

We have to start with the recipe that started it all!!  This recipe seriously is a classic and is used by so many.  My grandma, my mom, Dallin's mom, my great aunt, the list goes on and on!  

Some tips for this recipe to keep in mind-  I have heard many people use more flour (especially at higher altitude as noted in the recipe) and it works really well!  Some people love to use half butter and half shortening!  Some like it just the way it is.  

For the batch I made I added about 1/4 C. +1 1/2 T. extra flour just like Grandma would make!

The dough of this recipe is unreal!  When Dallin and I first tasted it we both felt like we were transported right back to our moms kitchens when we were little kids.  So many memories of sneaking dough, licking the batter and enjoying cookies with family!  You might just want to make this recipe for the dough alone. haha 

We love that these cookies are a family favorite and they have a lot of memories and feelings connected to them.  The crunchier base and all semi sweet chocolate make them so delicious!  Having that much butter in the recipe is really a wonderful thing, there's this buttery note at the end of your bite that just makes you want another one. I hope that you make them!

Next week we will be doing the Tried and True Chocolate Chip Cookies from A Bountiful Kitchen so take a look at that recipe and make sure you have all the ingredients!  You may want to make sure you have the regular cookie making ingredients in your storage at all times, just saying! ;)

This post may contain affiliate links but all opinions are my own. 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Hunt-Two Peas & Their Pod

Two Peas & Their Pod Chocolate Lover's Chocolate Chip Cookies are seriously amazing.  Packed with several kinds of different chocolate, soft and a little crunchy, and a little sprinkle of salt on top for an extra little pop of flavor.  These cookies are really a hit.  I think a chocolate chip cookie should have probably as much chocolate as it has cookie dough haha, so if you're like me this is the cookie for you!

When making the dough you incorporate grated chocolate, chocolate chips and chocolate chunks.  Use whatever combo you prefer and different kinds of chocolate based on your preference.  Maria suggest semi sweet chocolate but I know I prefer a mix of milk and semi-sweet so I did that combo.I used finely chopped Peter's milk chocolate, chopped Guittard semi-sweet baking chips and Guittard milk chocolate chips.

Maria also suggest rolling each dough ball by hand.  I think it helped keep them more round while baking but I did have a few crazy looking ones.  I think that's inevitable.

Maria also shares a lot of cookie tips on her Instagram, check her CC cookie Highlight specifically for her chocolate chip cookie tips!

For this recipe you'll also need sea salt.  I used my Sea Salt from Costco in the dough and my finishing salt on the top after I added extra chocolate.  The chocolate melts and becomes the perfect base for the salt.

The dough is amazing, the cookies are amazing and for me this is a front runner cookie on this hunt!

With a cookie with that much chocolate it has to be good!

I couldn't stop taking pictures of these because they were just so pretty!  

I also couldn't stop eating them! haha

Here's a middle shot.  I love that the chopped pieces of chocolate become a ribbon of chocolate all throughout the cookie.  Especially at the bottom.  It's so delicious!!

Maria shares a few of her tips on how to make your cookies look perfect every time.  I think this batch could use a touch more flour but they were still delicious and great!  

Once your cookies become slightly golden on the edges and lose that dough shine on the top, it's time to pull them out of the oven.  Now you have to work quickly.  Seriously, cookies set so fast.  Right out of the oven bang or drop your cookie sheet a few times on the counter.  This will form those cracks that all the pretty cookies have!

I first added extra chocolate.  I love to add whatever is in the cookie so you know exactly what you're getting on the inside.  So for this cookie I added the same chocolate chunks, grated chocolate and chocolate chips.  Lightly press them into the cookie!

Sprinkle with salt!  Don't overdo it!

This is where Maria is much faster than me.  By this time my cookies are mostly set.  But Maria suggests to use your spatula and slightly press the sides of your cookies to form that perfect circle.  Try it out!  These tips really do make for awesome looking cookies!

Another middle shot of a cookie that the dough was refrigerated for a few hours before baking.  

Speaking of refrigerating your dough vs. not refrigerating, I know that some people absolutely love refrigerating their dough.  I just want cookies once I spend the time making the dough. haha  I usually do not refrigerate my dough but I thought I'd do a little experiment with this batch.

This broken cookie is baked right after making the dough surprisingly fluffy!

This cookie came from dough that rested in the fridge for a few hours before baking.  My preferred method for this recipe!

And this cookie came from dough that rested overnight in the fridge.  Honestly I didn't notice much of a difference for the overnight refrigeration.  I would bake them right after or refrigerate for 2-3 hours in dough balls and then bake.  But like always try all the options and see what you prefer!

Next weeks recipe will be Cake by Courtney's 

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Review the recipe and make sure you have all the ingredients on hand.  Nothing too fancy in this recipe unless you want specialty chocolate.

This post contains affiliate links but all opinions are my own.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Hunt-A Bountiful Kitchen Tried & True CCC

This recipe is very similar to Nestle's Original recipe (last weeks cookie) with a few minor adjustments like more vanilla and flour.  Si also gives lots of great cookie tips and techniques to make your cookies really come together perfectly.  I still use lots of her tips no matter what recipe I'm making.  This is a great time to realize the importance of ingredients and technique!  Throughout this adventure we can learn what ingredients make a big impact and what tips and techniques help make your cookies really stand out.

My tips for A Bountiful Kitchen's Tried and True Chocolate Chip Cookies-Don't add too much flour!, I was cautious and added too much flour just in case.  Test your dough and see if it really needs it!  Follow her tips and tricks, I really do think most of them make a difference.  I honestly liked these cookies best the day after making them! They were SO delicious!  This recipe really makes the chocolate shine.  The soft cookie base is not really in your face and can let the chocolate have all the attention.  I did my favorite mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips (trust me you'll want 4 packs!)!

I loved that you can add all the flour and chocolate chips in at the same time.

Si recommends to flatten the dough balls like this!

I tested one pan this way and the other pans I left just the cookie scoop.  I didn't notice any difference.

Tips of Si's that I use all the time:  don't overmix the dough-pulse dough, never turn the mixer on high with cookie dough-only until just incorporated!, and never let your butter sit at room temperature for more than 30 minutes.  If you make these "mistakes" or your cookies don't turn out like you'd like don't be discouraged I tried too-many-to-count chocolate chip cookie recipes while trying to perfect them years ago.  I almost swore them off because I just didn't think I was a cookie making lady.  Fast forward to almost a decade + of experimenting and trying recipe after recipe I've learned that it has a lot to do with technique!  Sometimes it just takes time to figure out what works for you!

A perfect cookie to me could also be a not so perfect cookie to you!  Some like them crunchy, soft, gooey, different chocolate(s), no salt, add in a special ingredient, etc.  Find what YOU like!  That's why we're on this hunt!  We're trying to figure out what works for us and what we like!

Next week we're baking the lovely Wendy Paul's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!  Specialty or specific ingredients you'll need for this recipe:  regular chocolate chip cookie ingredients as well as 1 4 oz. package of Vanilla instant pudding mix or French Vanilla pudding mix, and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips if you want a change from regular chocolate chips.  Follow the link to the exact recipe for all ingredients needed and specific measurements!

This post may contain affiliate links but all opinions are my own.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Hunt-Gygi

Today is Chocolate Chip Cookie Sunday!  A day I look forward to all week long.  Today I'm sharing Gygi's Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.  I've heard about this recipe from lots of friends so I knew I had to add this to the Chocolate Chip Cookie Hunt!  

Honestly this cookie recipe tastes similar to my very own chocolate chip cookies that I bake all the time and sell (contact me if you'd like to order!).  BUT these cookies are different with how they freeze, hold, up and the after taste is a little more sugar-y in my opinion.

The dough was incredible!  Much better than Joanna Gaines' recipe last week.

They baked up fluffy and beautiful looking.  

Love when cookies are no fuss and hold their shape even after baking.

Don't you!?

This recipe is a solid choice and easy for beginner bakers too!

I love that Gygi's gives tips and tricks along with their recipe.  Like sizing scoops, whoever really knows how big their scoop is?  Gygi that's who!! And they are sharing all the information with us!

If you try this great recipe let me know!  

And if you have a recipe you want me to put to the test, send it my way!

The inside was full of chocolate and delicious, just how I like it!

Next week I'm putting Handmade Farmhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies to the test!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Hunt-Lauren's Latest

When I saw Lauren's Latest, Actually Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies I knew I had to try them.  I mean by the name alone you know someone thinks they are actually perfect and worth trying!  I was super curious about them after reading the recipe.  Melted butter and an extra egg yolk??  I've tried lots of CCC recipes but never with those ingredients.  Especially melted butter.  I've been told to always keep it semi cold!  So I was shocked.  I made the cookie dough half expecting it would be a fail but I was SO impressed.  Oh my goodness!

Like impressed enough to think this might be a front runner in this CCC hunt for me!  The cool thing about CCC is that each recipe is so unique just like peoples tastes and preferences.  A "perfect chocolate chip cookie" to me could be just an ok cookie to you!  That's why we're on this hunt together so you find YOUR own best CCC recipe!  

I followed the recipe exactly but the one thing I wish I would have done differently would have been to add more flour.  The cookies were delicious still but I think they could have been a little less flat and more fluffy with the addition of more flour.

Bake 1 test cookie first use your judgment, remember to not use too much at first.  It's always easier to add more then take away!  Another cool thing about this recipe is Lauren suggest to have it sit at room temp for 20 minutes before you bake it.  Another thing I've never heard of.  I tried a super similar recipe that I'll be sharing as a bonus recipe later this week, but it did not call for the dough to sit and a few other minor changes.  I definitely think I prefer this method and recipe more, they were both delicious but even with the small changes you can tell a difference.  So make both once I post the other recipe and decide for yourself.

I also loved the mixed chips!!  That's what I've done since experimenting a few years ago and I really love and prefer the mix of milk and semi sweet chocolate.  The depth of chocolatey flavor is just too good!  My all time favorite milk chocolate chips are the Guittard brand.  Trust me, try them and realize you're going to need them in your life from then on out! haha

These cookies are soft on the inside, yet perfectly crisp and chewy on the edges.  It really is a recipe that can't be overlooked!

I'd love for you to try it and let me know what you think!  Tag me on Instagram at RuthAnne Strong (@ruthanne.strong) and use the #chocolatechipcookiehuntwithruthanne, you might just get some cookie baking supplies coming to your doorstep! 

Whether you post about them or not try these amazing cookies and 

decide for yourself if they're the best!  You can thank me later! ;) haha

Next weeks recipe will be Two Peas and Their Pod-The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.  Lots of chocolate is involved with these cookies and sea salt so make sure to check the recipe and have all the needed ingredients on hand!

This post may contain affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.