My Mom's World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

So it has come to be somewhat of a tradition that my mom started.  It started off as a kid I would love Chocolate Chip Cookies from Double Tree Hotel next to where she worked. Well, my Mom found the famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe, which she has been using since.

When I went away to the Military at 18, she would send me care packages with the World Famous Chocolate Chip cookies. I kept requesting these care packages whenever she visited or sent a package.  

When I started working in Europe, I would start bringing them into the office to share with my co-workers, who all fell in love with them.  To this day, I think my old co-workers miss my Moms Cookies more than me :)

Mom's World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 11/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups semisweet premium chocolate chips
  (Ghirardelli or Guittard or equivalent preferred)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, cream together
The butter, both sugars, vanilla, and lemon.
Add eggs and mix until smooth.
Stir in dry ingredients.  Mix in chocolate
Chips and nuts.  Spoon rounded balls
(about 1/4 cup each) onto a parchment
Or foil-lined cookie sheet about two
Inches apart.  

Bake 10-12 minutes or until
Light golden brown on the outside edges but still soft in the middle.  Makes 40 large cookies. Chill the dough for easier handling.
The cookies freeze well.

FAQ Section: Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

What are the key ingredients for perfect chocolate chip cookies?
The key ingredients for chocolate chip cookies are all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Using high-quality chocolate chips and real butter can enhance the flavor and texture.

How can I make my cookies chewier?
For chewier cookies, use more brown sugar than white sugar, as brown sugar adds moisture. You can also slightly underbake the cookies, allowing them to stay soft and chewy in the center.

Why do my cookies spread too much in the oven?
Cookies often spread too much when the dough is too warm or the butter is overly melted. To prevent this, chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Also, ensure the butter is softened but not melted when mixing the ingredients.

Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?
Yes, cookie dough freezes well. Shape the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls into a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

What type of chocolate chips should I use for the best results?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice for chocolate chip cookies, but you can experiment with dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Using a mix of chocolate types can add depth to the flavor.