Chunky, Chocolate-Filled Cookies

Winter is fast approaching despite our pleas for the sunny, warm weather to remain for as long as possible. However, there is one good thing about colder days and that's snuggling up on the couch, cup of coffee in one hand and a homemade chocolate cookie in the other! 

With big, chocolate chunks throughout, this cookie recipe might just be the best one ever, and that's really saying something. 

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Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line 3 large baking trays with baking paper. 
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugars and vanilla until the mixture is pale and creamy. Then add the egg and beat until everything's combined. 
3. Sift the flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda over the butter mixture. Stir the dry ingredients in until just combined. Add the chocolate, and using your hands, knead the dough to evenly distribute the chocolate.
4. Using 1 1/2 tablespoons of mixture at a time, roll the mixture into balls, and place them 6cm apart, on the prepared trays. Using the heel of your hand, flatten the balls slightly.
5. Bake the cookies, swapping trays after 10 minutes, for 15 to 18 minutes or until they're light golden in colour. Let them stand on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with a nice, cold glass of milk. Enjoy! 

FAQs

Why do my chocolate chip cookies go flat?

This tends to happen if the butter you're using has softened too much before adding it to your dry ingredients. When the butter being added is too soft, it will melt faster in the oven and this can lead to the cookies going flat before they've had the right amount of time to set.

How do I stop my cookies from spreading?

Make sure you're definitely placing some baking paper before setting your cookie dough on it or using a silicone baking tray to cook your cookies on. Simply using non-stick spray or butter will create an overly greasy base for your cookies to sit on, causing them to spread.

How do I know if my cookies are baked?

The best way to see whether your cookies are ready to come out of the oven is to open the oven door, pull out the rack a little but and place a wooden skewer into the centre of the cookie. It comes out clean then your cookies are ready. Another way you can test this is to very lightly push the sides of the cookie with a spatula or your finger. If the edge stays firm and doesn't fall inwards then your cookies are done.