Two-Day Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are absolutely dangerous. Homemade toffee. Brown butter. 6" in diameter. Prepare to make a lot of friends. (Taken from the "Tasty" Youtube Video)



PREP TIME: 45 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 2 DAYS 65 MINUTES
Makes 12 big cookies
6846 C/batch, 570 C/cookie, prices using typical Walmart numbers $12.86/batch, $1.07/cookie or 532 Cal/Dollar (cheaper than Little Caesars!)

INGREDIENTS

Toffee
6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter (612 C, $1.40)
¾ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed (560 C, $0.36)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (0 C, cheap)
Water, as needed

Cookie Dough
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (1626 C, $3.74)
4 ice cubes
¾ cup granulated sugar (580 C, $0.14)
1½ cups light brown sugar, packed (1254 C, $0.81)
2 teaspoons kosher salt (0 C, cheap)
½ teaspoon baking soda (0 C, cheap)
2 large eggs (156 C, $0.18)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (0 C, $0.52 @ Costco)
2½ cups all-purpose flour (sometimes +½c or so more)(1138 C, $0.40)
6 ounces 50-70% cacao chocolate, chopped      (920 C $5.31 I typically use the 4oz Girardelli 60% Dark Baking Bars)
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (0 C, cheap)

Also Useful
Parchment Paper
Candy Thermometer

PREPARATION

1. Make the toffee: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium nonstick saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and salt, stirring until evenly incorporated. If there are grainy lumps or if the fat starts to separate, add a couple splashes of water and stir vigorously to emulsify. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 290°F (143°C), about 10-15 minutes. *If it burns slightly it's not the end of the world because you now have "burnt toffee" cookies.
3. Pour the toffee onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out slightly with a spatula. Freeze until ready to use, about 30 minutes.

4. Make the cookie dough: Add the butter to a pretty big nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns dark brown and smells nutty. Watch carefully so the butter does not burn. Remove the pot from the heat.
5. Add an ice cube to the butter and slowly let it melt. It may froth and bubble. Add the remaining 3 ice cubes and gently stir until melted.
6. In a large bowl, combine the granulated and brown sugar, salt, and baking soda.
7. Pour the brown butter into the sugar mixture and mix until combined. Don’t worry if it looks separated.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla. Pour into the sugar and butter mixture and whisk until glossy and smooth.
9. Add the flour and fold with a rubber spatula to incorporate until the dough has no visible flour streaks.
10. Remove the toffee from the freezer (it should be a frozen disc) and break it into chunks that will fit inside a gallon zip-top bag. Double bag the toffee and seal both bags. With a rolling pin, break the toffee into small pieces.
11. Fold the crushed toffee and chopped chocolate into the dough until evenly distributed.
12. Using a large ice cream scoop or a ½ cup measure, scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Wrap the baking sheet in plastic wrap, but leave a small opening at the corner of the tray.
13. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours. This will allow the flavor to develop and the dough to dry out a little as it rests, which will result in less spread when it bakes. *They still taste good if you cook them immediately, but the 2 days is a good way to pace yourself. I find myself eating them over the course of a week.
14. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line 2 baking sheet with parchment paper.
15. Arrange the cookies on the baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between the cookies and away from the edges of the pan.
16. Bake until the cookies are golden brown with crispy edges, but are still slightly soft in the center. *Original recipe says 18-20, but I do 22-24 minutes.
Immediately sprinkle the cookies with flaky sea salt. then let cool completely. The cookies will be very soft at first but will set after they are fully cooled.
17. Enjoy! (With milk!)