Traveling and baking are both important parts of my life. For a long time, they are mutually exclusive activities but that’s slowly changing in the last couple of years. My baking reputation is well-known among friends. When I visit from out of town, jokingly or not, there would be requests for me to bake something. My girl scout background demands that I come prepared so of course I make notes of easy recipes that I can tackle without the comfort of my own kitchen.
Cook’s Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies is the recipe that traveled with me to many places. I baked these delectably chewy cookies at home, in a dormitory common kitchen in Denmark, at friends’ European home, at Boyfriend’s kitchen that I lovingly stocked with things I can’t live without, and most recently at a friend’s bachelor kitchen in South Florida. In all cases, the cookies turned out soft and chewy with a nice butterscotch flavour and loaded with chocolate chips. They really embody what North American home baking is all about.
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To call this recipe (subscription only, unfortunately) foolproof is an understatement. As long as I am armed with a mixing bowl, a pot, and a spatula, I can make them just fine. You may notice variance in appearance in all these different photos but I assure you even my worst attempt turned out fantastic. When I have access to a scale, the cookies have better texture because of the added accuracy in ingredient proportions. When I have oven that heats up to the specified temperature, the cookies are less likely to over bake. When I have a cookie scoop, I can bake the dough right away. Otherwise I just chill the dough until stiff so I can cut them into equal portions and roll into balls. When I can get my hands on quality chocolate and fresh walnuts, the cookies taste a bit more decadent.
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In a strange way, I’m almost tempted to bake these cookies in unfamiliar settings as a personal challenge. Other recipes that adapt similarly well include brownies, classic French yogurt cake, banana bread, and almost anything from the quick bread family. I’m pretty sure they will make an appearance before I return home from Florida. Do you have a signature or favourite recipe that travels with you to many places? If you don’t, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try. Perhaps it will become your favourite travel recipe too. I can tell you from experience that it’s easy to win over friends with a plate of fresh-baked cookies in hand!
