Friday, August 15, 2008

Chocolate chip and almond cookies

Chocolate chip and almond cookies

An episode of “Law & Order – Criminal Intent” made me think of substitutions – to be more precise, of how some work while others, don’t.

As much as I adore Mr. Big, what the heck is he doing in Robert Goren’s place?? The character is the soul of that show and Vincent D’Onofrio is absurdly fantastic (yes, I’m a huge fan). Imho, a very bad substitution – Chris Noth should go back to the other L&O.

These cookies, on the other hand, surprised me in a good way. I have always seen pecans or walnuts in choc chip cookies, but never almonds. That’s why I wanted to give this a try. The recipe makes a ton of cookies – which was good, since I intended to share them with a large group of people – and the combo chocolate/almonds really works.

Chocolate chip and almond cookies

Chocolate chip and almond cookies
from here

2 sticks (226g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup (175g) packed dark brown sugar
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 ¾ cups (385g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
12 ounces (335g) semisweet chocolate (chopped or chips)
1 cup (4oz/112g) chopped toasted almonds – I used sliced almonds

Heat oven to 190ºC/375ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the butter, brown and granulated sugars, corn syrup, and vanilla for 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Add the chocolate and almonds. Using 1 leveled tablespoons of dough, make balls and place on prepared pans, 2 inches apart.

Bake until lightly browned at the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks. Cool completely.

Makes 60

28 comments:

Manggy said...

I followed the imdb link-- D'Onofrio is looking ROUGH these days! I used to say that he looked like a Vince Vaughn double. Decide for yourself who is the poorer version, haha :) (I really only watch L&O:SVU myself. Of course, lol.)

This substitution, on the other hand, just brings that element of luxury to choc chip cookies! Yum!

Susan @ SGCC said...

I love nuts in my chocolate chip cookies - usually toasted pecans. But, I love almonds and bet this is a great mix. I definitely must try this next time. It looks like a winner!

Anonymous said...

Chocolate and almonds really are a fabulous combination. I absolutely have to try it!

Mary Coleman said...

I have to make these cookies asap.
Don't worry about Logan. He's leaving the series this summer and Jeff Goldblum is coming in next year. They do alternate weeks on the show. All Goren would be great. Maybe you should send some of these wonderful cookies to Dick Wolf, the producer. As a bribe!

sweetalmond said...

They look fantastic! I love anything with almonds...........and chocolate :)

Anonymous said...

You know I always put walnuts but almonds sounds like a great combo too, I'm going to try it! Thanks.

Deborah said...

I was just going to say what Mary said - that Logan is leaving - I think he only has 1 episode left. (I love L&O!!)

These cookies sound delicious! A great treat while sitting in front of the tv!

Nic said...

Did someone say cookies? They look quite delicious, nice colour!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Almonds in chocolate chip cookies? That's new to me. I'd love to see Chris Noth back in the original Law & Order -- I haven't liked the show quite as much since he left.

KJ said...

I much prefer almonds over pecans and walnuts, so these look perfect to me.

I have to admit I much prefer Logan to Goran. So I am sad to hear that he is leaving. But Geoff Goldblum? No, just no!!! He's so schticky or something.

Mama Mia said...

I want some cookies so bad! Those look so wonderful! wow

pam said...

Chocolate and almonds, my two favorite things!

Anonymous said...

We are a "no nuts in our cookies" family, although I love nuts! These look delicious!

Aimée said...

I really have to coax my hubby into realizing how enjoyable nuts can be in cookies. He likes his chocolate chip cookies to be rather traditional. Maybe these can change his mind, and if not? Well, more for me!!

Sarah said...

mmmmmmm...almonds are my favorite kinds of nuts! I've never thought to include them in cookies - I'm so glad you found out how good they are!

Deeba PAB said...

Chocolate & almonds...yum! A combo made in heaven & these cookies look good!BTW, made your lemon poppy cookies the other day...wonderful! Will blog about it soon! Cheers

Anonymous said...

Wait, what? Jeff Goldblum is coming in? I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm addicted to all L&O shows: SVU, original & CI in that order. I love me some Mariska! I didn't actually start watching CI until this season, only because I was never a huge fan of Vincent, but he's slowly winning me a over...every other week. ;-)

But, to get back on topic, Patricia, these cookies look fabulous.

Anonymous said...

LOL...i love the opening of your post, talking about L&O and Chris Noth. next week would be the last episode of L&O CI, so you'd probably be happy! i don't mind watching both Noth & D'Onofrio though :D

Happee Monkee said...

Hahaha... Chris Noth. Man, he was so good as the 'so bad and so damn attractive' in SATC. Which probably is like chocolate chip cookies. It's so 'bad-good' that you want it all.
Btw, I've left an award for you. Have a look on Twenty Something & Cooking.

Dragon said...

These might be just as good as mine. :)

Dragon said...

Oh, I completely agree with you about Vincent. He's the best!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Mark, NO WAY!! Vince Vaughn is such an idiot, please!! Don't compare him with my beloved D'Onofrio. :)
I love SVU, too. :)

Susan, I think you'd like these!

Fearless Kitchen, thank you! I hope you do.

Mary, that is bad news... I don't want another detective, I want Robert Goren in all the episodes!
And that sounds like a plan, dear, tks! :)

Sweet Almond, I know you do! :)

Cathy, I hope you try it!

Deb, I want D'Onofrio all the time. :)

Nic, thank you, darling!

Lydia, I agree with you. He was great in the original show.

KJ, I liked Logan when he was in the other L&O. And I'm not happy with Goldblum either.

Lina, thank you!

Pam, mine too! :)

Kristen, really? I like cookies without nuts, too. Well, I like cookies anyway! :)

Aimée, I think you've got a point there, darling!

Sarah, they are my favorite, too!

Passionate, I will love seeing your take on them!

Susan, I don't like it already. I want Robert Goren in all the episodes!
And I do love me some Mariska, too, I even got a picture of her to take to the beauty salon last time I had a hair cut! :)
xoxo

Eliza, I loved Noth in the original L&O. He's a sight for sore eyes, I'll say. :)

Monkee, I'll be checking it out, tks!

Dragon, I'm glad you like the cookies. And I'm glad you like Vincent as well! :)

Kelly-Jane said...

They look fab Patricia, well done sweetie :)

Anonymous said...

Haha I like the L&O reference. Although I have to admit I like Chris Noth in it. It's more like regular L&O. Goren was a bit too odd for me.

But the cookies, I'll take those any day!

LyB said...

Another chocolate chip cookie recipe to add to my collection! :) Delicious!

eatme_delicious said...

Mmm those look perfect. They look thick and soft. I'm about to make some cookies with white chocolate too! (Mine will be white chocolate, cherry and almond cookies.)

Jaime said...

those look great but you definitely need to try the recipe i just tried :)

i'm obsessed with law & order too ;)

Arundathi said...

Just came by this post and I must say those cookies look amazing. I was looking for a good choc chip cookie recipe and this sounds good.

Btw, I'm a huge L&O fan and in the beginning I was also really irritated that they subbed Noth for Goren - but you know, now I've actually started enjoying it. Noth is really very good - not idiosyncratic like D'Onofrio, but quite great nonetheless.

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