New York Times Best Cookie Recipe

Thanks Tender Crumb for this amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe!

Jacques Torres' Secret Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Makes twenty-six 5-inch cookies or 8 1/2 dozen 1 1/4-inch cookies

Ingredients
1 pound unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons pastry flour
3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 pounds bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats; set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Reduce speed to low and add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, and chocolate; mix until well combined.
- Using a 4-ounce scoop for larger cookies or a 1-ounce scoop for smaller cookies, scoop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake until lightly browned, but still soft, about 20 minutes for larger cookies and about 15 minutes for smaller cookies.
- Cool slightly on baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Krispy Kreme Copycat Recipe

Here's how to make your own Krispy Kreme donuts at home!

This yields 10-12 regular-sized doughnuts.

Doughnut Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 1/4 cups bread flour, divided
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • vegetable oil for frying

Glaze Ingredients:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Doughnut Directions:

  1. Heat the milk to 100 degrees.  You can do this in the microwave or on the stove top.
  2. Stir in the yeast until it is dissolved or close to dissolved.
  3. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and mix in 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the bread flour. Stir until smooth.
  4. Cover the bowl (I like to use my cloth bowl covers for this) to prevent drying out and place in a warm spot to rise.
  5. When the batter has doubled in size (about an hour, depending on the temperature of your house), add it to a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
  6. Add the egg yolks, superfine sugar, and salt. Mix on low speed until smooth.
  7. Mix in vanilla extract and butter until smooth.  
  8. With the mixer running, slowly add the rest of the flour (1 1/4 cups + 2 tablespoons). Keep mixing until the batter just comes together into a smooth dough. It will be quite wet and sticky, but should be able to hold together as one “lump” of dough. If not, add a bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
  9. Lift the ball of dough up and brush the bottom of the bowl lightly with vegetable oil.  
  10. Cover the bowl again and place in a warm spot to rise.
  11. Once the dough has doubled in size (another hour or so), refrigerate it for 15 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out.
  12. On a well-floured surface, gently roll out the dough to about 3/8” to 1/2” thickness.
  13. Use cookie cutters to stamp out whatever shapes you like.  I used a 3 1/2" circle for the large doughnuts with a 1 1/4" hole.  For the minis, I used a 1 1/2" circle with a 15/16" hole (all of these cutters come in the same set).  Save the holes to fry up as well, or roll the batter out again to make more doughnuts.
  14. Place the stamped dough on a parchment- or Silpat-lined cookie sheet, cover with plastic, and allow to rise again in a warm spot.
  15. Once the doughnuts are almost doubled in size (another hour or so), heat oil in a large pot or deep fryer until it reaches 360 F.  I strongly prefer to fry in a deep fryer.  It keeps everything so much cleaner and perfectly regulates the temperature.
  16. Fry the doughnuts in batches until golden brown on each side (you'll need to flip them mid-fry). The total frying time will be under 2 minutes. Use tongs to flip and retrieve them.
  17. Set hot doughnuts on paper towels to absorb extra oil.

Glaze Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. 
  2. Drizzle over piping hot doughnuts.

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Perfect for Nutella fans!

 


Ingredients:

  • 1-2 tablespoon Nutella
  • 1 cup water

Place the Nutella and water in a sauce pan.  Heat on medium stirring until the Nutella is dissolved.  Bring to a boil. Pour into your favorite mug and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or marshmallows.

Variations:

Microwave method:
Pour water/milk into microwavable cup and heat for 2 min.  Add Nutella and microwave for another minute. (Ezara mentioned below that if you have a higher power microwave these times are a bit high; try heating the water for 1 minute, add the Nutella and heat for another 40s). Stir and serve.

Make it creamier:
Replace all or part of the water with milk/cream.  Stir/whisk constantly while heating. Froth up the milk if you have a frother.

Make it more chocolaty:
Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.

Make it spicier:
Add a pinch (or more) of cayenne pepper and/or a teaspoon of cinnamon.

Make it more caffeinated:
Add a 1/2-1 teaspoon instant espresso powder or replace some of the water with brewed espresso.

Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie Copycat Recipe

You don't have to wait for Girl Scout cookies once a year. Make Thin Mints at home with this recipe:

 

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
2 Eggs
2 Tbl. Water
2 Tbl. Cooking Oil
1/2 Cup Cocoa
1 pkg. Chocolate Chips
2-3 drops Wilton's Candy Mint Flavoring

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine cake mix, eggs, water, cooking oil,
and cocoa. You will need to blend this together well, this will be a
very sticky mess. Let stand for 20 minutes, and then shape into very
small 1/2 inch balls. Place these balls on a cookie sheet 2 inches a part,
and smash down flat. You will need to spray a large spoon with Pam to
make them flat. Bake for about 8 minutes. Let cool until they reach
room temperature.

Heat chocolate chips in either the microwave, or in a double boiler.
When completely melted add a couple drops of the mint flavoring.
Be carefull not to add too much, it is a powerfull flavoring.
You can either spread the melted chocolate on the cookies,
or you can dip the cookies into the chocolate.

Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' Onion Copycat Recipe

Finally the secret is out! Here is how to make the famous Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion @ home:

4 Vidalia or Texas Sweet Onions

Batter:
1/3 C. Cornstarch
1 1/2 C. Flour
2 tsp. Garlic -- minced
2 tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Pepper
24 oz. Beer

Seasoned Flour:
2 C. Flour
4 tsp. Paprika
2 tsp. Garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper


Mix cornstarch, flour, and seasonings until well blended. Add beer,
mix well. Cut about 3/4" off top of onion and peel. Cut into onion
12 to 16 vertical wedges, but do not cut through bottom root end.
Remove about 1" of petals from center of onion. Dip onion in seasoned
flour and remove excess by shaking. Separate petals and dip in batter
to coat thoroughly.

Gently place in fryer basket and deep-fry at
375 to 400 1 1/2 minutes. Turn over, and fry an additional 1 1/2 minutes.
Drain on paper towels.
Place onion upright in shallow bowl and remove center core with circular
cutter or apple corer. Serve hot with Creamy Chili Sauce.


Creamy Chili Sauce:
1 pint Mayonnaise
1 pint Sour cream
1/2 C. Chili sauce
1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper

Ihop Pancakes Copycat Recipe

Perfect for Sat. morning breakfast!

 

Nonstick Spray
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup cooking oil
pinch of salt

1. Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Use a pan with a nonstick surface
or apply a little nonstick spray.
2. With a mixer, combine all of the remaining ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour the batter by spoonfuls into the hot pan, forming 5-inch circles.
4. When the edges appear to harden, flip the pancakes. They should be
golden brown.
5. Cook pancakes on the other side for same amount of time, until golden
brown.

Makes 8 to 10 pancakes.

KFC Chicken Copycat Recipe

11 herbs and spices- now you know the secret!

 

1 frying chicken, cut into frying pieces
1 1/2 cups flour
1 Pkt. (dry) Good Seasons Italian Dressing (THE 11 herbs and spices!)
1 Envelope Lipton (or other brand) Tomato Cup of Soup
2 eggs, well beaten
2/3 cup milk
Vegetable oil to cover bottom of your skillet; about 1/2 inch deep.

1. Combine eggs and milk. Set aside.
2. Combine flour with the Italian dressing and soup mix.
3. Dip chicken pieces in milk-egg mixture and roll them in the
flour-seasoning mixture. Repeat procedure.
4. Fry pieces over medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes, turning often.
5. Remove from fire. Drain and serve.

Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches Copycat Recipe

Chick-fil-A made chicken sandwiches famous with this recipe!

 

3 cups Peanut oil
1 Egg
1 cup Milk
1 cup Flour
2 1/2 tb Powdered sugar
1/2 ts Pepper
2 tb Salt
2 Skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved
4 Plain hamburger buns
2 tb Melted butter
8 Dill pickle slices

Heat the peanut oil in a pressure cooker over med. heat to about 400F. In
a small bowl, beat the egg and stir in the milk. In a separate bowl,
combine the flour, sugar, pepper, and salt. dip each piece of chicken in
milk until it is fully moistened. Roll the moistened chicken in the flour
mixture until completely coated. Drop all four chicken pieces into the hot
oil and close the pressure cooker. When steam starts shooting through the
pressure release, set the timer for 3-1/2 minutes. IMPORTANT!!!!
DO NOT CLOSE STEAM RELEASE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS! While the chicken is cooking, spread a coating of melted butter on the face of each bun. When
the chicken is done, remove it from the oil and drain or blot on paper
towels. Place two pickles on each bottom bun; add a chicken breast, then
the top bun. To make a deluxe chicken sandwich, simply add two tomato
slices and a leaf of lettuce. Mayonnaise also goes well on this
sandwich--it is a side order at the restaurant.

Dairy Queen Blizzard Copycat Recipe

Make the popular Dairy Queen Blizzard treat, right @ home with this recipe:

1 Health candy bar
1/4 c Milk
2 1/2 c Vanilla ice cream
1 teas. Fudge topping

Freeze the Heath bar. Break the candy into tiny pieces with a knife handle
before removing form wrapper. Combine all of the ingredients in the
blender and blend for 30 seconds on med. speed. Stop the blender to stir
the mixture with a spoon; repeat until well mixed. Pour into a 16-oz.
glass. Your homemade blizzard may not be as thick as its commercial
counterpart. If you would like a thicker treat, after pouring the mixture
into your cup, simply place it in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until
it reaches the desired consistency. VARIATIONS: Try substituting different
candies.

Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat Recipe

Craving Chinese food? Make Panda Express Orange Chicken @ home!

 

 

2 lbs boneless chicken pieces, skinned
1 egg
1 1/2 t salt
white pepper
oil (for frying)
1/2 c plus 1 T cornstarch
1/4 c flour
1 T minced ginger root
1 t minced garlic
dash crushed hot red chiles
1/4 c chopped green onions
1 T rice wine
1/4 c water
1/2 to 1 t sesame oil

ORANGE SAUCE FOR STIR FRY:

2 t Minced zest and
1/4 c Juice from
1 lg Orange
1/2 t Sugar
2 T Chicken stock
1 T Light soy sauce

Combine all ingredients in small bowl and set aside.


Cut chicken pieces in 2" squares and place in large bowl. Stir in egg,
salt, pepper, and 1 T oil and mix well. Stir cornstarch and flour
together. Add chicken pieces, stirring to coat.

Heat oil for deep-frying in wok or deep-fryer to 375. Add chicken pieces,
a small batch at time, and fry 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp.
(Do not overcook or chicken will be tough.) Remove chicken from oil with
slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

Clean wok and heat 15 seconds over high heat. Add 1 T oil. Add ginger
and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Add and stir-fry crushed chiles
and green onions. Add rice wine and stir 3 seconds. Add Orange Sauce
and bring to boil. Add cooked chicken, stirring until well mixed.
Stir water into remaining 1 T cornstarch until smooth.
Add to chicken and heat until sauce is thick. Stir in 1 teas. sesame oil.

Serve at once.

Makes 6 servings.

Cinnabon Rolls Copycat Recipe

Super yum, Cinnabon rolls at home! Here's the recipe!

 

ROLLS:
1/2 cup warm water
2 packages dry yeast
2 Tbl. sugar
3 1/2 oz. pkg. vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup margarine -- melted
2 eggs
1 teas. salt
6 cups flour

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup margarine
1 teas. vanilla
3 cups confectioner's sugar
1 Tbl. milk
To make frosting, mix all ingredients until smooth.


In a bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside.

In large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package
directions. Add margarine, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast
mixture. Blend.

Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Place in a greased
bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled.
Punch down dough and let rise again.

Then roll out on floured board to 34 x 21" size. Take 1
cup soft butter and spread over surface. In bowl, mix 2 cups brown sugar
and 4 teas. cinnamon. Sprinkle over top. Roll up very tightly.
With knife, put a notch every 2". Cut with thread or knife.

Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 2" apart.
Take hand and lightly press down on each roll.
Cover and let rise until double
again. Bake at 350 15-20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden.
DON'T OVER BAKE.

Frost warm rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes about 20 very large rolls.

Chips Ahoy Copycat Recipe

Make one of the most popular cookies @ home with this recipe:

 

 

4 cup All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking soda (level)
2 tsp Salt (level)
1 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 cup Vegetable Shortening (Crisco)
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 large Egg White
2-4 tbsp Water (warm)
12 oz Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Bring all ingredients to room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 °F. Mix
the flour and baking soda in a bowl and set aside. Use an electric mixer
to mix the two sugars and shortening. When creamy add the vanilla, salt,
and egg white. Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time adding a tablespoon of warm
water as necessary to mix the flour - don't exceed 4 tablespoons of water
- this will make a firm dough. Mix in chocolate chips. As the dough gets
thicker you may want to mix by hand and abandon the electric mixer.
Roll into 2 inch balls and press down with the palm of the hand to make
flat. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Auntie Anne's Copycat Recipe

Yum! Make Auntie Anne's pretzels at home!

 

1 1/2 cup warm water
1 1/8 tsp. active yeast (1 1/2 pkg)
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups regular flour

2 cups warm water
2 Tbs. baking soda

To taste coarse salt
2-4 Tbs. butter (melted)

Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add
sugar, salt, and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth
and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour.

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm
water and 2 Tbs. baking soda. Be certain to stir often.

After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope
(about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel into soda solution
and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzel to rise again. Bake in a
450 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted
butter and enjoy!

Toppings:

After you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt.
Or for Auntie Anne's famous cinnamon sugar, try melting a stick of butter
in a shallow bowl( big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another
bowl, make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. dip the pretzel into the
butter, coating both sides generously. then dip again into the cinnamon
mixture.