There are many different desserts that can be baked but without a doubt the easiest and the most fun are cookies. Cookies in Chicago are one of the first things that most children are taught to make, they are simple and quick.
Although there are many different types of cookies many are made from common ingredients. Cookies are broken into dry and wet ingredients; the basic dry ingredients are flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. The sweetness of a cookie, or the lack of it, comes from sugar, either granulated or brown. The wet ingredients are fat which can be butter, margarine, shortening or vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract. The different flavors and textures of cookies in Chicago come from the addition of chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, oatmeal and various spices.
Making the dough for the cookie is very straight forward, all that has to be done is to mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl; in a large bowl cream together the butter with the sugar and once this is done, add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat this mixture gently to break the egg yolks and integrate all the wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients and mix well using either an electric mixer or hand mix. Once the mix is well along, the added ingredients are introduced; this can be a handful of chocolate chips, raisins, nuts or oatmeal. Once everything is together the dough is prepared in accordance with the recipe, in some cases dough is simply dropped onto the cookie sheet, in other cases it is flattened with a fork or perhaps dusted with sugar.
Like all baked goods, the best cookies start with the best ingredients. Use only fresh ingredients, if the recipe calls for butter then use butter, not a less expensive alternative and the standard for any cookies are large eggs, not medium or small.
Cooking is something which is often done with the tongue, baking is something that is best done from a recipe. All ingredients must be measured accurately for the best results and while making the cookies, keep the dough cool between batches. While you will no doubt want to dive in and eat the results the moment they come out of the oven, let them cool for five minutes or so on the tray.
For a delicious array of cookies in Chicago you are invited to drop in at La Patisserie P. For satisfying cookies, cakes, bread and pastries, there is no better place.
