History of Cookies: From Ancient Treats to Modern Favorites
Ever wonder where that good cookie you’re enjoying with your coffee originated? Cookies have a long history dating back thousands of years to ancient Persia in the 7th century, where they were first baked using sugar. As sugar spread throughout the Mediterranean through the Crusades, the cookie concept traveled with it.
By the 14th century, what is now commonly known as cookies had gained great popularity in Europe, especially as far up as Spain and Italy. The term “cookie” actually originated from the Dutch word “koekje,” literally meaning “little cake.” With a common root, different regional additions made variegated cookies suit tastes from place to place.
Fast forward to the colonial period of America’s history, when Europeans arrived with their cookie recipes. These cookies were early American—simple and delicious, influenced by the different traditions brought in by immigrants from England, Dutch, and Scotland. Today, cookies re-invent themselves with the passing years into Choco Chips Cookies and Blossom Cookies, among many others, to become a favorite snack all over the world.
Choco chip cookies
The choco chips cookies recipe is the primary mainstay in almost every household. Cookies are quintessential favorites due to their perfect crispness on the edges and soft, chewy middles, but more significantly, that sudden burst of chocolate at every bite; they can be versatile, easy to whip up, and universally loved by both kids and adults. Freshly baked, dunked in a cold glass of milk, or packed in lunchboxes for that special treat, Choco Chips Cookies will always bring smiles to faces.
Ingredients
One cup of soft salted butter
One cup of granulated sugar
One cup of light brown sugar
Two tsp of pure vanilla extract
Two eggs
Three cups of maida or all-purpose flour
One tsp of baking soda and half tsp of baking powder
A single tsp of sea salt
Two cups of chocolate chips
Choco chips cookies Recipe:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add baking powder, baking soda, all-purpose flour, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugars together until well combined.
4. Beat in the eggs and vanilla essence for about a minute (60 seconds), making it light and fluffy.
5. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Roll 2-3 Tbsp of dough into balls. Place 2 inches apart onto baking sheets.
8. Bake until the edges turn brown, approximately for eight to ten minutes.
9. Let the chocolate chip cookies cool down on the baking pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Blossom Cookies
Blossom cookies recipe is very simple, therefore making them a traditional holiday cookie. Some of their key characteristics are a soft, chewy peanut butter base and the chocolate chips in the middle. These make for not only great-tasting cookies but also turnabout visual appearances, liked at cookie swaps and holiday parties, that come with Blossoms. The peanut butter and chocolate combination is just a classic duo that drops taste buds with delight in every bite.
Read also: Why Ordering From An Online Cake Shop Takes The Cake!
Ingredients
Ingredients For Base blossom cookie dough
Three cups or 396grams of maida or all-purpose flour
One teaspoon of baking soda
One teaspoon of kosher salt.
Three-fourth cup or 185 grams of unsalted butter at room temperature.
One cup or 200 grams of granulated sugar
Half cup or 100grams of light brown sugar
Two eggs
Two teaspoons of vanilla extract
Melted chocolate
Ingredients For Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie Dough
One-fourth cup or 60 grams of smooth peanut butter
Two tablespoons of maida or all-purpose flour
Powdered sugar
Ingredients For Chocolate Blossom Cookie Dough
Two and a half tablespoons of Dutch-processed cocoa powder
One tablespoon of milk
Chocolate Sprinkles for coating the cookies
Ingredients For Sugar Blossom Cookie Dough
One and a half tablespoons of flour
Sprinkles for coating the cookies
Ingredients For Gingerbread Blossom Cookie Dough
One and a half tablespoons of molasses
Three tablespoons of maida or all-purpose flour
Half a teaspoon of ground ginger
One-fourth teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Demerara or raw sugar for coating the cookies
Blossom cookie recipe
1. In four small bowls, segregate the granulated sugar, chocolate sprinkles, colorful sprinkles, and raw sugar for rolling the cookie dough.
2. In a medium bowl, sieve the flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream, butter, and sugars together until light and fluffy.
4. Then, add the eggs and vanilla essence to the same bowl and whisk until smooth.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients. It will look thick and crumbly after each addition but keep mixing, it will come together.
6. Then, split the dough into four equal parts in individual bowls. If you are going for extreme accuracy, each would be 245g.
7. In separate bowls, add the ingredients of peanut butter, chocolate, sugar, and gingerbread.
8. Mix each dough well with a spoon. Some of the doughs will be tougher and mix less willingly.
9. Scoop cookie dough onto a large plate or pan. For peanut butter, use a heaping tablespoon; for the others, use a regular tablespoon.
10. Smooth each ball of dough between your hands, and then coat them with respective toppings. If your sprinkles do not show up on the sugar cookies, dampen your hands before rolling in sprinkles, as shown above.
11. Place the balls onto the baking sheet about 2.5 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
12. While the cookies are baking keep chocolate chips handy. As soon as the cookies are done place the choco chips on the center of each cookie.
13. Place the cookies on a cool rack and bake the remaining dough.
14. Serve the cookies warm or at room temperature.
Conclusion
Baking cookies is far from a culinary task, for it is a bridge to the past, culture, and loved ones. The act of mixing dough and seeing it baked into golden-colored and great-looking treats can be very satisfying. And so, the next time you bake a batch of cookies, remember their journey to your kitchen. Enjoy the journey, savor the results, and then share with others.
The blog is not merely informative but has a history of cookies in its curriculum; it keeps interest by mentioning favorites, such as Chocolate Chips Cookies and Blossom Cookies, inviting readers to bake cookies amid this rich baking tradition.