The Perfect Cookie Recipe
I have been in search of the perfect cookie recipe for a while. But, up until yesterday, I still hadn't found what I was looking for. (And if that made you think of U2, here's a great version featuring U2 + a gospel choir.)
So, what was I looking for in the Perfect Cookie?
1. Signature element. I wanted a cookie that was somewhat unique. One that I can bring to a potluck and there aren't going to be a million of them. One that entices my kids' friends to come to our house. One that stirs up warm, cozy feelings. This one has an ingredient that makes them particularly unique. Orange zest. Stick with me on this.
2. Chocolate. 'Nuff said.
3. Chewy. I know some people love fluffy cookies. But not me. I like them kind of chewy and flat. This also means that they are portable. They're not going to break into a million crumbs. I love this.
4. Easy. Now, I know this isn't a huge deal for many of you, but I really love that this recipe doesn't require a mixer. You barely melt the butter in a pot, mix in the ingredients, and then drop it by big spoonfuls on a cookie sheet. If you're struggling a bit with the orange zest, I can sympathize. I used to totally avoid any recipe that asked for anything zested. But then I bought a zester, and all is well. Buy a zester. It opens up a world of zestful recipes. Seriously.
Now, if this isn't your perfect cookie, that's okay. But I'd love for you to try it and let me know what you think. And, right now I'm calling it "Perfect Cookie," because I think that it is the perfect cookie. But, if you have a better name for it, I want to hear it.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups butter, melted
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup of honey
2 eggs
2 teaspoons of vanilla
Zest from one orange
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
6 cups of old-fashioned oats
3 cups of coconut
1 cup of pecans, chopped
1 cup of chocolate chips
Directions
- Heat oven to 350
- Melt butter on stove, just to melting. Remove pot from stove.
- Add in brown sugar, honey, eggs, vanilla, and orange zest. Mix together with a spatula. No mixer involved. How great is that?
- Add in flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix it together.
- Add in oats, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips. If your chocolate chips get a little bit melty, that okay.
- Drop by big spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350 for 14 minutes.
- Let cool on cookie sheet for ~ 10 minutes and then put on wire rack to cool completely.
So, try them and let me know what you think. If you make any substitutions, tell me about them. And, if you come up with a better name, I want to hear it.