Important Cookie Poll

[mrshandy]

I agreed to make cookies as a takeaway favor for a friend's son's Bar Mitzvah. Just curious what people's thoughts are. My husband and I disagreed about how best to do that. The son has asked for Chocolate Chip cookies so I'm planning on making those. There are 120 people attending. Anyone have a cookie they recipe they like that will make chocolate chip cookies that are chewy but strong enough not to fall apart? Any other tips? 

I plan on wrapping them individually in gift bags.

[livinitup]

I think you should include whatever cookie size is the most convenient to make.

(I voted 2 medium)

[shopgirl07]

May 8, 2024 13:52:56 GMT -5 livinitup said:

I think you should include whatever cookie size is the most convenient to make.

(I voted 2 medium)

I agree. That’s a LOT of cookies, make whatever size is easiest for you.

[lilac05]

I love making huge, almost Crumbl-sized cookies. They’re always a hit, and they look impressive rather than “just a cookie.”

Cookingwithkarli.com is my go-to for recipes. I don’t see the recipe I usually use from her for Chocolate Chip Cookies (It used either bread or cake flour), but all of the Crumbl style recipes I’ve used from her have been fantastic, and would fit your “strong, but soft” needs. These are not crumbly, despite the name.

cookingwithkarli.com/crumbl-cookies-copy-cat-recipe/

[jinkies]

I voted one big cookie. Whenever I've received a cookie favor, it's always been a single cookie. I don't have a go-to recipe, but I've never been disappointed by a recipe at sally's baking addiction. She has this recipe for chocolate chip cookies that looks like it might fit the bill: sallysbakingaddiction.com/chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies/
There is also a version adapted to make super giant cookies, but it might be cost prohibitive to make 120 at this size: sallysbakingaddiction.com/giant-chocolate-chip-cookies/

[lemoncupcake]

I vote for big cookie but they can be harder to bake consistently /in bulk. Have you made them before? You’re a very generous friend for helping with this if you’re not a regular cookie baker

[sdlaura]

My tip for making them chewy and not crumbly is to use half Crisco and half butter (so if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, use a half-cup butter and a half-cup Crisco).

[wanderlustmom]

I would make whatever is easier for you! All will be lovely. I do think one big cookie looks slightly prettier but I would think that would be harder to make and that's a lot of cookies

[mrshandy]

May 8, 2024 14:11:04 GMT -5 lemoncupcake said:

I vote for big cookie but they can be harder to bake consistently /in bulk. Have you made them before? You’re a very generous friend for helping with this if you’re not a regular cookie baker

I plan on weighing the dough so they are consistently sized. I'm a decent baker and have cakes for a few minor events including a wedding once. 

Would love any other tips from people that have done this. I was going to do a test bake later this week and then portioning the cookies and freezing the dough ahead of time so I can bake them a day or two before the event which is next Sat morning. 

[lavenderblue]

I voted for one big cookie if for no other reason than ease. That's a crap ton of cookies and I think I would die if I had to make 360 small cookies LOL

[jinkies]

May 8, 2024 14:29:52 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

May 8, 2024 14:11:04 GMT -5 lemoncupcake said:

I vote for big cookie but they can be harder to bake consistently /in bulk. Have you made them before? You’re a very generous friend for helping with this if you’re not a regular cookie baker

I plan on weighing the dough so they are consistently sized. I'm a decent baker and have cakes for a few minor events including a wedding once. 

Would love any other tips from people that have done this. I was going to do a test bake later this week and then portioning the cookies and freezing the dough ahead of time so I can bake them a day or two before the event which is next Sat morning. 

I volunteer as taste tester.

[rhian]

May 8, 2024 14:34:05 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

I voted for one big cookie if for no other reason than ease. That's a crap ton of cookies and I think I would die if I had to make 360 small cookies LOL

Yeah I agree with this. I think any option is totally fine in terms of a favor, so I'd pick the one that feels like the least amount of work to you. I think that's probably one big cookie, but could also be convinced that 2 medium (aka standard size) cookies is easier.

[TR]

Goddamnit, now I want cookies.

[waverly]

I voted 1 big cookie as I think/ hope it would be easier for you.

I just did over 100 dog treats and it took me 5 hours including packaging and clean up. I can't imagine doing 340 cookies.

[mae0111]

www.iheartnaptime.net/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/

I haven't made these cookies in particular, but I have made the M&M cookies and they are absolutely delicious. They stay together really well. I typically make the dough, chill it, bake them, and then freeze them They thaw out really nicely if you have the room to store them - just so that you don't have to bake all those cookies at once.

[cmeon]

1 big cookie has more impact than 2 medium cookies (and less scooping). Do use a scoop, don't weigh! No one has that kind of time.

[lilac05]

Would he be open to huge chocolate chip bars? That would be a LOT easier than doing that many cookies! It would still take a lot of time, but less hands-on time than scooping cookies!

If you go the cookie route, I measure in a 1/2c measuring cup, then break in half. Take them out when the top looks dry to the touch, then let them sit on the pan for another 5 min to keep baking. THEN remove them from the pan.

Oh! Also, I think one of the secrets to great cookies is making sure the butter and sugar are creamed well. Keep mixing until it’s lighter in color and fluffy

[jlt19]

I don’t have a recipe, but my friend used to make chocolate chip cookies with maple syrup and they were divine. I googled a recipe once and it was good, but she could nail the texture and I’ve never been able to do that.

[circa1978]

May 8, 2024 17:03:02 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

I don’t have a recipe, but my friend used to make chocolate chip cookies with maple syrup and they were divine. I googled a recipe once and it was good, but she could nail the texture and I’ve never been able to do that.

I don't always do this but when I make my own brown sugar, I think it really improves the texture of chocolate chip cookies and I bet maple syrup would do something very similar. 

[sonrisa]

I agree on scooping the cookies. And I think one cookie which fits in the standard treat bag is fine, even if that is more of a "medium" cookie. The kids will already have eaten a boatload of treats and this will likely be their third or fourth dessert of the evening, consumed in minutes without regret. So don't drive yourself too crazy