Cookie Philosophy: From Existentialism to Pragmatism and Revolution
As someone who has made (read: failed) more batches of chocolate chip cookies than he can count, I think it’s safe to say I had quite some tips and tricks for it up my sleeve.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature for best results. If you use melted butter, your cookies will spread more and be thinner and crispier. If you use cold butter, your cookies will be thicker and cakeier. You can also brown the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns nutty and golden. This will add a rich caramel flavor to your cookies.
• Sugar: Use a combination of brown sugar and white sugar for your cookies. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while white sugar adds crispiness and sweetness. The ratio of brown sugar to white sugar depends on your preference. For chewier cookies, use more brown sugar than white sugar. For crispier cookies, use more white sugar than brown sugar.
• Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for your cookies. Eggs add moisture and richness to the dough. You can also add an extra egg yolk for more chewiness. Make sure to beat the eggs well with the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract for your cookies. Vanilla enhances the flavor of the butter, sugar, and chocolate. You can also add a teaspoon of espresso powder to boost the chocolate flavor.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour for your cookies. Flour provides structure and stability to the dough. You can also use bread flour for more chewiness or cake flour for more softness. Make sure to measure the flour correctly by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. Do not pack or scoop the flour directly from the bag or container.
• Baking soda: Use baking soda for your cookies. Baking soda helps the cookies spread and rise in the oven. You can also dissolve the baking soda in hot water before adding it to the dough. This will activate the baking soda faster and create more bubbles in the dough.
• Salt: Use salt for your cookies. Salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and chocolate and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies. You can also sprinkle some coarse sea salt on top of the cookies before baking them for a nice contrast of sweet and salty.
• Chocolate chips: Use semisweet chocolate chips for your cookies. Semisweet chocolate chips have a balanced flavor that goes well with the cookie dough. You can also use dark chocolate chips for more bitterness or milk chocolate chips for more sweetness. You can also chop up a bar of chocolate and add it to the dough instead of or in addition to the chocolate chips. Chopped chocolate will create pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookies.
Method
The method for making chocolate chip cookies is pretty straightforward: cream together the butter and sugar, beat in the eggs and vanilla, stir in the dry ingredients, fold in the chocolate chips, scoop onto a baking sheet, and bake in a preheated oven. However, there are some steps that you can take to improve the outcome of your cookies.
• Creaming: Creaming is the process of beating together the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the mixture, which helps the cookies rise and have a tender texture. Creaming also dissolves some of the sugar crystals, which helps the cookies spread evenly. To cream properly, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Beating: Beating is the process of adding the eggs and vanilla to the creamed mixture and mixing well until they are fully incorporated. This adds moisture and richness to the dough, as well as more air bubbles. To beat properly, add one egg at a time and mix well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract (and espresso powder if using) along with the last egg.
• Stirring: Stirring is the process of adding the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt) to the wet ingredients (butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla) and mixing until they are combined. This forms the cookie dough, which provides structure and stability to the cookies. Stirring also distributes the leavening agent (baking soda) throughout the dough, which helps the cookies rise and have a soft texture. To stir properly, use a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula and mix gently until there are no dry spots of flour left. Do not overmix the dough, as this will develop gluten and make the cookies tough.
• Folding: Folding is the process of adding the chocolate chips (and chopped chocolate if using) to the cookie dough and mixing until they are evenly distributed. This adds flavor and texture to the cookies, as well as visual appeal. To fold properly, use a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula and mix gently until the chocolate is well incorporated. Do not overmix the dough, as this will deflate some of the air bubbles.
• Scooping: Scooping is the process of portioning out the cookie dough onto a baking sheet using a cookie scoop, a spoon, or your hands. This shapes the cookies and determines their size and thickness. Scooping also affects how the cookies spread and bake in the oven. To scoop properly, use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to measure out about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with nonstick spray. Leave about 3 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
• Chilling: Chilling is the process of refrigerating the cookie dough before baking it. This allows the butter to solidify and the flavors to develop. Chilling also prevents the cookies from spreading too much and becoming too thin and crispy. Chilling also enhances the chewiness and softness of the cookies. To chill properly, cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. You can also freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months and bake them from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
• Baking: Baking is the process of cooking the cookie dough in a hot oven until they are golden and done. This transforms the dough into cookies, creating a crispy crust and a soft interior. Baking also melts the chocolate chips and creates a delicious aroma in the kitchen. To bake properly, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and place the baking sheet in the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned and the centers are still soft. Do not overbake the cookies, as they will continue to cook on the baking sheet after you take them out of the oven.
• Cooling: Cooling is letting the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set and firm up, as well as release some steam. Cooling also improves the texture and flavor of the cookies. To cool properly, leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are stable enough to move. Then use a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy them warm with a glass of milk.
Now to the fun part
Chocolate Chip Cookies Vs. Existentialism
In the realm of philosophical thought, two distinct movements have shaped human perspectives. One is Existentialism, which emerged in 19th and 20th century Europe, focusing on individual agency in a world deemed absurd, devoid of intrinsic values. According to this school of thought, humans forge their own purpose through actions and choices.
Drawing an unexpected parallel, chocolate chip cookies exemplify existentialism. Like existentialism, their creation is not predetermined by external factors but arises from human creativity and experimentation. Ruth Wakefield, an American chef, stumbled upon this iconic recipe by substituting baker's chocolate with chopped semi-sweet chocolate in 1938. Her invention was an unplanned testament to human free will and ingenuity.
Furthermore, chocolate chip cookies mirror existentialism by allowing for individual variation and expression. There exists no singular recipe or method; different ingredients, proportions, shapes, and baking conditions yield distinct outcomes. Each baker crafts their cookies according to personal preferences, resulting in a celebration of diversity and individuality, even within a shared batch of dough.
Chocolate Chip Cookies Vs. Pragmatism
Pragmatism, a philosophical movement originating in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, champions practical consequences over abstract principles. It asserts that truth is relative and contingent on its efficacy in problem-solving and goal attainment.
In this light, chocolate chip cookies exemplify pragmatism through their practicality and versatility. Beyond mere dessert, they offer sustenance, comfort, and a quick energy boost suitable for any time, occasion, or for no particular reason at all. With a long shelf life and easy transportability, they become tools of various social exchanges — gifts, incentives, and even tokens of affection. This adaptability is a hallmark of pragmatism.
Moreover, the genesis of chocolate chip cookies embodies pragmatism's reliance on trial and error. Ruth Wakefield's discovery was not the outcome of deductive reasoning, but a result of empirical experimentation. Her method was marked by improvisation and successive iterations, ultimately leading to the creation of a quintessential treat grounded in practical experience and keen observation.
Chocolate Chip Cookies Vs. French Revolution
The French Revolution, a seminal socio-political upheaval from 1789 to 1799, was ignited by economic turmoil, social disparity, political corruption, and the ideological fervor of the Enlightenment. Its aim was to dismantle the monarchy and feudal system, establishing a republic founded on principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Strangely, chocolate chip cookies share a resonance with the French Revolution. They embody a spirit of revolution by challenging established norms of baking. Combining disparate elements — sweet and salty, soft and crunchy, light and dark — they defy conventional expectations, embracing irregularity over uniformity.
In a democratic vein, chocolate chip cookies are accessible and inclusive. They shatter the notion of elitist desserts, constructed from commonplace, affordable ingredients readily available in any kitchen or supermarket. Their creation demands no special expertise or background, only a fundamental grasp of measuring, mixing, and baking. Thus, chocolate chip cookies stand as a treat not for the few, but for all, transcending barriers of age, gender, and skill level. They are truly treated by and for everyone.
In the delightful realm of cookie philosophy, we explore the intriguing parallels between existentialism, pragmatism, and even the spirit of revolution, all embodied by the humble chocolate chip cookie. Much like these profound philosophical movements, the creation of these delectable treats emerges from human creativity, experimentation, and an unyielding spirit of individuality. From the careful selection of ingredients to the nuanced techniques applied in the baking process, every step mirrors the essence of these philosophical ideologies.
As we savor each bite of a chocolate chip cookie, we're reminded that even the simplest of pleasures can carry profound insights. The cookie, a humble dessert, transcends its sugary origins to symbolize human agency, practicality, and the audacity to challenge conventions. It's a testament to the fact that wisdom can be found in unexpected places, even in the comforting embrace of a warm, freshly baked treat.
So, let us relish not only the taste but also the wisdom that lies within these delectable morsels. For in the dance of flour, butter, and chocolate, we find reflections of our own journey, our choices, and our potential to create something extraordinary, even in the face of the absurd and the uncertain. In every cookie, there's a dash of existentialism, a pinch of pragmatism, and a sprinkle of revolution, reminding us that life's most profound lessons can be found in the sweetest of places.
Peace Out
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