The classic chocolate chip cookie is a go-to favorite for the sweet-toothed; it's one of those iconic desserts that give you a lift and provide comfort on those days when a little extra indulgence is needed.
But while that classic design is hard to beat, it's also one of the most versatile, with a seemingly infinite number of variations that can make these treats even more delicious.
In this article, we'll share some ideas for jazzing up your chocolate chip cookie game, from simple changes, such as adding nuts or dried fruits, to totally different spins for the more adventurous.
Different Types of Chocolate Chip Cookie Ingredients
You can do a lot with just three basics: fats, flour, and sweeteners. Just by playing with different combinations of these, you can create some really interesting variations.
Mixing it Up with Different Flours
When it comes to chocolate chip cookies, it's not just the chocolate that can be mixed and matched to create different flavors and textures. You can transform chocolate chip cookies with only a single ingredient switch: flour!
Put that all-purpose flour back in the cupboard and try some exciting alternatives.
For a heartier, more rustic flavor, why not try using whole wheat or oat flour in your cookie dough? Or, for a lighter, more delicate texture, you can use almond flour or coconut flour.
But don't stop at just one type of flour - try using a blend of flour for an even more unique cookie. You could try a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour or almond flour and oat flour.
If you're following a gluten-free diet, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the deliciousness of chocolate chip cookies. There are plenty of tasty gluten-free flours out there that make it easy to enjoy them, and they're just as easy to work with as regular all-purpose flour.
Changing the Sweetness
Substituting the sugar with different kinds of sweeteners or syrups will also add a little uniqueness to your chocolate chip cookies.
For a more conservative option, use brown sugar instead of white. You will also get different flavor notes if you use light or dark brown sugar. Brown sugar also contains more moisture than white, which can help to keep your cookies soft and chewy.
If you are a honey connoisseur, you'll know that honey, like wine, can have a variety of complex flavors depending on the type of flower. Grab a pot of your favorite honey, and switch it up for sugar in your cookie recipe for floral and earthy flavors.
Why not go for a healthier option? Try replacing the sugar with unrefined sugar like coconut or date sugar or natural sweeteners like stevia or agave nectar. These alternatives are not only lower in calories than refined sugars but also bring unique flavor profiles into the equation.
Experimenting with Different Fats
Instead of relying on butter as your go-to fat for cookies, mix it up with some other oils or fats.
A favorite of ours is coconut oil, with its nutty, tropical richness, which is particularly good when paired with white chocolate chips.
Or go a bit nutty in the kitchen. Nut butter is all the rage and is delicious when used in cookie recipes. Almond butter, cashew butter, or good old peanut butter all make for a rich, nutty flavor. Nut butter can be intense so mixing it with some natural butter helps to temper the flavor a bit.
Chocolate Chip Variations
So, that's the base ingredients covered. But there's one crucial element that we can't do without: chocolate chips!
The classic chocolate chip that you'll find in your Grand Ma's recipe book is the semi-sweet chocolate chip. But these days, it's just as common to see milk and dark or white chocolate chips gracing the cookie tray.
Milk chocolate chips - are a crowd-pleasing favorite when it comes to those with a serious sweet tooth. These delectable morsels are made from cocoa solids, milk, and sugar, giving them an ultra-creamy texture that makes them just perfect for baking.
Dark chocolate chips - with a higher percentage of cocoa solids and less sugar, dark chocolate makes for a more intense, slightly bitter flavor. These are the chips for you for those who prefer a more sophisticated, mature palate.
White chocolate chips - are made with cocoa butter, milk, and sugar and don't contain any cocoa solids like milk and dark chocolate. Adding them to your cookies will give them a subtle sweetness and creamy flavor.
Of course, there are no rules against mixing it up and adding combinations of all three types; the cookie police won't come knocking at your door if you do that. We have yet to begin to explore all the craziness that you can get up!
Add Some Dried Fruit or Nuts
There's nothing that adds flavor and texture as mix-ins for your chocolate chip cookies as dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. Cranberries, cherries, raisins, and apricots are all great choices for adding a tart and tangy flavor to your cookie dough.
If a crunchier texture is what you had in mind, then the nut route is the way to go. Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds - not only are they delicious and crunchy but full of healthy fats and minerals too.
Ditto for pumpkin and sunflower seeds, little bites of goodness that will give your cookies an extra special nutty twist.
How About a Little Spice?
Common spice rack staples such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom are fantastic for adding something extra to your chocolate chip cookies. Just a pinch of each can really bring out the flavor in your dough and give it an amazing aroma that can't be matched.
And for those who like things a little bit more daring, plenty of other natural flavors can spice up your chocolate chip cookies. We've tried lemon zest, matcha green tea, and even some chili powder for a slightly spicy kick - all delicious!
Talking about a kick, coffee enthusiasts might prefer espresso powder as their special ingredient - it will definitely give your cookie an extra punch.
Different Methods of Preparation: Thick and Chewy vs. Thin and Crispy
You can create different textures in your chocolate chip cookies by experimenting with different ratios of fat to flour and using different baking techniques.
The battle between the two camps – thick and chewy versus thin and crispy – still rages on. We happen to like both. Thin and crispy go great with a cup of tea (especially for dunking) and thick and chewy pair perfectly with a creamy cold glass of milk.
The secret to thin and crispy chocolate chip cookies is less flour and more butter while doubling up on egg yolks is our trick for thick and chewy.
Popular Chocolate Chip Cookie Variations
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - for those of you who prefer the chewy style cookie, oatmeal makes a great addition. It adds extra crunch and helps keep the cookie moist and chewy. With its rustic texture, it makes for a satisfying treat on those long winter days when you crave something a little more hearty.
M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies - substituting M&M candy for chocolate chips is like taking a classic and making it into a party in your mouth. They make a great festive or birthday celebration treat. These small, round candies are not only colorful but also come with a hard outer shell and a chocolate center, adding a crunchy element to the cookie.
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - If you haven't already included peanut butter in your cookies, then what are you waiting for? Peanut butter and chocolate chips together are a flavor pairing that can't be beat. This blend of sweetness and saltiness creates an unbeatable taste experience.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies - Mint, with its refreshing flavor, pairs exceptionally well with chocolate. You can use peppermint extract or purchase mint chocolate chips and add them to your regular cookie dough. You can also add a touch of green food coloring to make these mint cookies stand out from your traditional chocolate chip cookies.
How About These More Creative Options?
If you’re feeling brave and want to experiment with some more unusual ingredients, try these, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how good they taste.
Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies - No, this isn't a joke! You've really got to experience this savory take on the classic cookie. Mix in some crispy bacon bits with your dough, and we can guarantee you'll be hooked.
Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies - You might have come across red velvet cake, but what about red velvet cookies? The subtle red hue gives these cookies an elegant touch. All it requires is a touch of food coloring and some cocoa powder added to the mix. You can even go a step further and add some cream cheese to give it an extra tangy flavor. This red velvet cookie also goes really well with white chocolate chips.
In Conclusion
When Ruth Graves Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie in the thirties, it was an accident gone right. There's no reason why we can't follow in her footsteps and tailor cookies to our own tastes by experimenting in the kitchen.
With so many ingredients to choose from there's no shortage of ideas for making your chocolate chip cookies extraordinary.
