Day 10: Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cherries

On our final day of Chocolate Chip Cookie tasting I wanted to bake a cookie with some sort of dried fruit. I had some leftover dried cherries from the Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies I baked on day four so I decided to use them. I also found a package of salt free sunflower seeds and loved the idea of using them in the cookie to add a different texture.

I used the extra basic cookie dough from the Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts I made yesterday and mixed in the cherries and sunflower seeds.

Bake these cookies for 9-12 minutes at 375 degrees.

Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

Making four different types of Chocolate Chip Cookies was a lot harder then I thought. To take the same basic dough and change it into a totally different cookie was a challenge in itself. To the boys credit, they never once complained about having another Chocolate Chip Cookie. They were challenged to taste the subtle differences, and surprised to find out how one substitution could change the flavor or the cookie. So which Chocolate Chip Cookie reigned supreme????

The Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!

Noah: "I loved the little almond pieces...good job Ian!"

Dane: "It tastes different then the normal chocolate chip cookies!"

Ian: "I made them, they are my favorite!"

How the cookies were rated by taste tester:

I gave each place a point value (1=4pts, 2=3pts, 3=2pts, 4=1pts) to decide winner.

The cookie with the most points won.

Noah

1. Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

2. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts

3. Chocolate Chip Cookies

4. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cherries 

Dane

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts

2. Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cherries

4. Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ian

1. Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

2. Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts

4. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cherries

Total Points

1. Almond Chocolate Chip Cookie.................................................................11 points

2. Chocolate Chip with Walnuts........................................................................9 points

3. Chocolate Chip Cookies..............................................................................6 points

4. Chocolate Chip Cookie with Walnut, Sunflower Seeds and Cherries........4 points***

***For the unofficial record the Chocolate Chip Cookie with Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds and Cherries was an overwhelming favorite among adults***



Day 8: Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love baking. I would not have started on this (crazy from what my friends say) journey if I didn't. There is something about taking a list of separate ingredients and putting them together to make something delicious that is truly satisfying. It a lot of ways, it reminds me of my family. Unique individuals coming together to make something wonderful.

Adam and I enjoy cooking together and have the boys help out in the kitchen when ever possible. Since day eight fell on the weekend, I had the pleasure of having Ian as by co-baker...and chief taste tester...for this COD (Cookie Of the Day).

This recipe was adjusted from the Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe. Substitute almond extract for vanilla and have a super cute 7 year old smash almonds to add to the dough. 

With just two minor changes you have a totally different tasting cookie! The boys, Adam and I were all surprised at the difference.

Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

(based on Nestle Toll House recipe with substitutions)

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 large eggs

1 cup of chopped almonds

1 cup of mini chocolate chips

Preheat the over to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, sift dry ingredients in together and set aside

Cream butter sugar, brown sugar and almond extract together.

Add eggs, one at a time, mix well.

Slowly add dry ingredients, mix well.

Stir in crushed almonds and chocolate chips.

Place a teaspoon sized ball of dough on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges of the cookies are brown.

Cool on the cookie sheet for 1 minute, transfer to a wire rack to complete cooling.

We have two more days of Chocolate Chip Cookies to try. Tomorrow it is Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts (like Grandma Caponi used to make), then Chocolate Chip with Walnut, Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cherries.

Which Chocolate Chip Cookie will reign supreme??

Stay tuned to find out!

 The Cookie A Day Challenge is now on twitter follow @cookieaday.