Ingredients:
To make this recipe, you will need 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. In a separate bowl, take 1 cup of melted (but not hot) virgin USDA certified cold-pressed coconut oil. Add ¾ cup of packed brown sugar and ½ cup of regular white sugar. For binding, add ¼ cup of plain curd or use a smooth mix of 2 tablespoons of cornflour and 2 tablespoons of water. Also, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for flavor. Finally, fold in 1½ to 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you prefer a richer taste, you may also add chopped dark chocolate or some crushed nuts.
How to Make:
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is hot and ready by the time the cookie dough is prepared. Preheating is important as it allows the cookies to bake evenly. While the oven is heating up, take a baking tray and line it with parchment paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking to the tray and helps in easy removal after baking. Once lined, keep the tray aside so it’s ready when you need it.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a clean mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. These are the dry ingredients. Stir the mixture well using a spoon or whisk, making sure that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This step helps ensure consistent flavor and texture in every cookie. Once the dry ingredients are well mixed, keep this bowl aside to be used later when combining everything.
Step 3: Prepare the wet mixture
In another large bowl, add the melted coconut oil first. To this, add the brown sugar and white sugar. Use a whisk to mix these ingredients together. Keep whisking until the mixture turns smooth and creamy, indicating that the sugars have dissolved well into the coconut oil. After this, add the curd, or if you are using a substitute, add a cornflour-water mix instead. Then, pour in the vanilla extract. Mix everything once again until the wet ingredients are completely blended into a silky and uniform mixture.
Step 4: Combine the dry and wet mixtures
Now take the bowl of dry ingredients that you had set aside earlier and slowly begin adding it to the wet mixture. Do this gradually while stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. The goal is to mix just enough to bring the dough together. Be careful not to overmix here. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, which may result in hard cookies instead of soft ones. Mix only until the flour is no longer visible and everything is evenly combined.
Step 5: Fold in the chocolate chips
Once the dough is formed, it’s time to add the chocolate chips. Sprinkle them over the dough and fold them in using a spatula or spoon. Folding means gently turning the dough over and over to distribute the chips evenly throughout the mixture without breaking or overworking the dough. By the end, your dough should feel thick and slightly soft to the touch—perfect for shaping into cookies.
Step 6: Shape and place the dough
Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, take portions of the dough and shape them into small balls. Place these dough balls on the parchment-lined tray you prepared earlier. Make sure to leave some space between each ball, as the cookies will spread a little during baking. If you prefer thick cookies, do not press the balls flat—leave them in their rounded shape for a more chunky and soft result.
Step 7: Bake the cookies
Place the tray with the shaped dough into the preheated oven. Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them as baking time may slightly vary depending on your oven. The edges should start turning a light golden color while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked. This is the perfect time to take them out, as they will continue to set as they cool outside the oven. Remove the tray carefully and place it on a cooling rack.
Step 8: Serve and store the cookies
Once the cookies have cooled down enough to handle, they are ready to be enjoyed. Arrange them neatly on a dish or serving plate and serve fresh. These cookies are soft, rich, and delicious right out of the oven. If you have any leftovers, make sure they cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container to maintain their softness and flavor. This way, the cookies will stay tasty and fresh for several days.
