Chocolate chip cookies

I had to guard the dough as if it was the Queen's jewels.

My husband was drawn to the dough as if it were quietly whispering his name, begging him to come closer and taste a piece - it was his precious.
It was a strenuous task leaving the dough to sit in the fridge for more than 24 hours without it slowly being whitled away by my stealthy spouse - I believe it was around the 48th hour that I finally caved and rolled the dough between my palms to be baked in the oven. And oh my, the smell was gloriously wonderful.

These cookies were destined for bookclub and the new neighbours. The first batch welcomed in a new family, and the second were to be nibbled on whilst watching The Time Traveler's Wife and then comparing the film to the book. Every two months or so, the three women (or sometimes girls) with whom I have been friends for the better part of two decades make the trip down to my house for snacks, films, books and lengthy chatter. I always smile when I watch them take their respective places in my lounge room. I always choose the corner closest to the kitchen, enabling me to jump up and hastily refill drinks or restock snacks as any good host should. My girlfriend S, chooses the middle of the L shaped couch closest to the window, often placing her glass or phone upon the window sill as she sinks back into the sofa, her feet outstretched with an apple in hand. K1 sits beside me, smack bang in the middle, bowls of chips, lollies, chocolates and everything a 8 year old dreams of beside her, she never comes without her junk food bounty. And last, but not least, K2 most often chooses the floor, belly to carpet with her notebook open as she draws and scribbles whilst we talk. I always look forward to these catch ups that often stretch from mid morning to early evening, like a ribbon unravelling down a hillside; time always flies so fast when we are together.

Despite the cookies being ready in wait for their taste-testing, they never made it to the bookclub. S had an unexpected work shift and had to cancel, so instead the cookies were split in two, half for my husband and I, and half for my father and grandmother who spontaneously stopped by. Although this batch didn't fulfil their book club destiny, I shall be making another for our rescheduled date two weeks from now. I feel as though I have found the perfect chocolate chip cookie, so it's only fair my friends get to taste them too, as perhaps their searches will also end with his little gem.

ease: 4/5.
prep time: 10mins plus 24-72hours chilling time.
cooking time: 12mins per batch, I made around 30 cookies.
total: 40mins plus chilling time.

taste: 4.5/5. I think I've found THE ONE.

I had a good feeling about these cookies from the start - my patience in letting them wait was well rewarded. The texture was perfect for me, crisp outer shell with a soft, chewy centre that was a perfect backdrop for the soft, bitter-sweet chocolate discs all topped off with a sprinkle of salt - the perfect sweet and salty combination. The only thing I would change would be to reduce the chocolate amount. I already reduced it to 500g but I think it was still too much chocolate-to-cookie, perhaps 400g would be the perfect amount.

would I make them again: Yes.

recipe:  Chocolate chip cookies