Little Chiefs, Big Flavor: Summer Edition – Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Detailed Recipe

Welcome to our "Little Chiefs, Big Flavor: Summer Edition" series. As the summer heat rises and kids switch their school backpacks for home entertainment, there's a perfect opportunity to make yummy memories right in our own kitchens.

With the country experiencing frequent heat waves, outdoor activities may appear difficult. It's time to flip the script and bring the action inside. We've made a set of easy recipes that kids can make in the comfort of their own kitchens. And the first dish we're serving is a sweet tribute to everyone's favorite dessert: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, which are inspired by the Preppy Kitchen, one of our favorite YouTube cooks.

Let's dive in and discover how we can make our kitchen a fun-filled, delicious retreat this summer.

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Direction:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large-sized bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a medium mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed until the mixture is very light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Add the wet ingredients into the sifted flour mixture, using a spatula to blend just until the ingredients are combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips until they're evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Use a tablespoon to portion out 1 tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, placing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake the cookies for about 8 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the center appears dry.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to finish cooling.

These cookies give you a tasty sense of success and are great for summer events or a sweet treat on a warm evening. Involve your little chiefs in baking to spend time with them and make stories you'll always remember. Keep an eye out for more "Little Chiefs, Big Flavor" posts with recipes inspired by well-known cooks and bakeries.

Here are some tips to make the experience fun and safe when making this Double Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe:

Preparing the Ingredients: For younger children, measure out the ingredients ahead of time and put them in separate bowls. This makes sure it's right and makes it easy for them to handle. Older kids can learn about volume and weight by measuring items on their own.
Sifting Fun: Let the kids sift the flour and cocoa powder for some fun. The process of sifting is fun for them, and they can see how it adds air to the dry ingredients to make the cookies better.
Cracking the Egg: Show them how to crack an egg without getting bits in the batter. A pro tip is to crack the egg into a small bowl first, so any shell bits are easy to find.
Scraping Down the Bowl: Show them how to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure all ingredients are incorporated evenly. This is a good opportunity to remind them of the importance of thoroughness in all tasks.
Portioning Dough: Guide them in portioning the cookie dough. It's a good opportunity to explain how uniform size ensures even baking.
Spacing on the Cookie Sheet: Teach them to leave enough space between each cookie on the baking sheet. This ensures the cookies don't melt into each other and bake evenly.
Process of cooling: Let them know how crucial it is to let the cookies cool down slightly before moving them. This step is essential as the cookies continue to firm up during cooling.

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"Cooking with children is not just about ingredients, recipes, and cooking. It's about harnessing imagination, empowerment, and creativity." - Guy Fieri, Celebrity Chef and Television Host.