Once you learn how to make the best chocolate chip cookies ever, you will have the perfect go-to pot luck dish, dessert for a casual party, and hostess gift for travel. They are by far the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had (recipe at For Me, For You), and they are my first pick in ideas for hostess gifts.*
First, a word on hostess gifts. They should probably modernize this term and call them host/hostess gifts since in most of the homes I visit, both heads of the household are partnering up when it comes to entertaining, cooking, cleaning stuff up, and generally making guests feel welcome. Gone are the days when Betty makes the birthday cake, mixes the drinks, and Don takes off half-way through Bobby’s party leaving her to do everything, but returning hours later with a random dog. For now, because I can’t think of anything better, I’ll call them hostess gifts. Now, onto the cookies.
Pictures + Recipe How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever
Why they make a great hostess gift: They travel well and they look as good as they taste. Even if someone’s on a diet, these cookies are worth it.
I read years ago in the New York Times that the secret to baking the best chocolate chip cookies is giving the dough a good, long rest in the fridge before baking. Agreed.
The other tip from the recipe that boosts them from good to outstanding, is using a combination of cake and bread flour. These two changes, and the additional tips from Kate Miss outlined before the recipe, make all the difference in the world.
They’re large enough that one is enough. That’s a 1/3 cup-sized measuring cup above. I find people (aka, myself) eat multiple standard-sized Toll House chocolate chip cookies in search of that awesome cookie taste. Now those cookies are great, but these are better, they are the Holy Grail, and will satisfy the cookie craving.
Oh my God. The sprinkle of sea salt.
These will travel really well, and are very easy to stack in a gift bag, wrap up in wax paper or clear plastic wrap tied with a bow, or box up in a pretty tin to give as a hostess gift.
I bought an inexpensive tin from Michael’s and lined it with wax paper. You could also tuck some small cocktail napkins in for a more festive display, but honestly: They don’t need it. These are the best chocolate chip cookies ever. They are stars requiring no additional accouterments to impress your host/hostess.
*I’ll be writing more about hostess gifts in a series.
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