Comfort In The Form Of A Chocolate Chip Cookie

Here’s something fun today! Two weeks ago someone’s Instagram story stopped my scroll. I’m sorry I can’t remember who it belonged to, but the image that gave me pause was of a gooey chocolate chip cookie. Of course, that image alone stopped my scroll. But the words on the image caused my eyes to widen, “Double Tree by Hilton Reveals Official Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.” What?? They are sharing their amazing cookie recipe? Because, goodness, those are some of the best cookies on the planet, right?

Double Tree’s chocolate chip cookies are amazing.

When our family goes on vacations or on overnight trips, we tend to look for and stay at Hilton hotels because of their reward program, their amazing customer service, and their clean facilities. They have continued to rise above the rest in our opinion. Their Double Tree hotels offer a special dose of warm hospitality with their amazing chocolate chip cookies. (No, this isn’t an advertisement for Hilton, nor do I get any compensation for writing this. Just sharing another of my favorites.)

So, after seeing the inviting chocolate cookie image, I took to Google and searched for the recipe. Sure, there were lots of other copycat recipes available, but I found the actual article which shared this amazing recipe. You can find it here or keep reading below for the recipe. They, at Hilton, decided to share the recipe during this anxious time to “bring a moment of comfort and happiness” to families everywhere. Isn’t that incredible?

Comfort in the form of a chocolate chip cookie.

I couldn’t wait to make them. Double-checking to make sure I had all the ingredients, two days later I fired up my mixer. Within an hour our home was filled with the aroma of fresh-baked cookies, and our kitchen was filled with cookie sheets of the most glorious-looking cookies on the planet. But, nothing could compare to the taste. Nothing. I will likely never make or purchase another kind of chocolate chip cookie again. They were that good. And I can make them in the comfort of my own home! Bonus!

On second thought, however, is that such a good thing?? To have access to this recipe and the ability to make these cookies anytime I want? I mean, that batch of cookies lasted just a matter of days in our home, and now I want to make more! This could be disastrous! But in all seriousness, comfort did come in those cookies, and I’m thankful Hilton did their small part of sharing their comfort with me and the rest of the world. Even if it came in the form a cookie.

So, here’s the recipe!

Double Tree Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Makes 26 cookies

½ pound butter, softened (2 sticks)
¾ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 ¼ cups flour
1/2 cup rolled oats (I used old fashioned)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch cinnamon
2 2/3 cups Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 3/4 cups chopped walnuts (I used 1 cup)

Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes. 

Add eggs, vanilla and lemon juice, blending with mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl. 

With mixer on low speed, add flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, blending for about 45 seconds. Don’t overmix. 

Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart. 

Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and center is still soft. 

Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for about 1 hour.

Cook’s note: You can freeze the unbaked cookies, and there’s no need to thaw. Preheat oven to 300°F and place frozen cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden brown and center is still soft.

There you go! Enjoy this form of comfort with your family. Just one of the many good things coming from this season of pandemic.

Blessings!