Savannah Guthrie’s Go-To Cookie Recipe: A Detailed Guide
Savannah Guthrie, the beloved co-anchor of NBC’s *Today* show, is known for her warm personality and engaging presence on television. But beyond the news desk, she’s also a passionate home cook and baker. While she keeps many of her personal recipes close to the vest, she has generously shared her go-to cookie recipe over the years, offering a glimpse into her family’s kitchen. This recipe, often touted as a classic chocolate chip cookie variation with subtle twists, has become a favorite among her viewers and online followers. This guide provides a deep dive into recreating Savannah Guthrie’s famous cookies, with detailed instructions, helpful tips, and variations to make them your own.
## What Makes Savannah Guthrie’s Cookies Special?
Before we jump into the recipe, let’s explore what makes Savannah’s cookies so popular. While it’s ultimately a chocolate chip cookie, several factors contribute to its appeal:
* **Simplicity:** The recipe utilizes readily available ingredients found in most pantries, making it an accessible baking project for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
* **Classic Flavor Profile:** It adheres to the comforting and familiar taste of a chocolate chip cookie, appealing to a wide range of palates.
* **Customization:** The recipe is versatile and can be easily adapted to accommodate different preferences, such as adding nuts, using different types of chocolate, or adjusting the level of sweetness.
* **Texture:** The cookies are known for their balanced texture – slightly crispy around the edges and soft and chewy in the center – a result of the careful ingredient ratios and baking techniques.
* **Nostalgia:** Baking these cookies evokes a sense of warmth, tradition, and family, reminiscent of childhood memories and cozy gatherings.
## The Recipe: Savannah Guthrie’s Go-To Cookies
While the exact recipe might vary slightly depending on the source, this compilation represents the most commonly shared and replicated version of Savannah Guthrie’s cookies. This recipe yields approximately 24-36 cookies, depending on the size.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 large eggs
* 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or a combination)
* Optional: 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts)
**Equipment:**
* Mixing bowls (large and medium)
* Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking sheets
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
* Cookie scoop (optional)
* Wire rack for cooling
**Instructions:**
**Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets**
* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure your oven rack is positioned in the center.
* Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
**Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients**
* In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents (baking soda) and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
**Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars**
* In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, which contributes to the cookies’ light and tender texture.
* Creaming usually takes about 3-5 minutes on medium speed. The mixture should become visibly lighter in color and increase in volume.
**Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla Extract**
* Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture before adding the next.
* Stir in the vanilla extract. Vanilla enhances the flavor of the cookies and complements the chocolate chips.
**Step 5: Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients**
* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in tough cookies. Mix until the flour is mostly incorporated, with just a few streaks remaining.
**Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips (and Nuts, if using)**
* Remove the mixing bowl from the mixer and use a spatula or wooden spoon to fold in the chocolate chips (and chopped nuts, if using). Distribute the chocolate chips and nuts evenly throughout the dough.
**Step 7: Drop by Rounded Tablespoons onto the Prepared Baking Sheets**
* Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This allows the cookies to spread evenly during baking. Using a cookie scoop can help ensure uniform size and shape.
**Step 8: Bake the Cookies**
* Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the cookies.
**Step 9: Cool the Cookies**
* Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to firm up slightly and prevents them from breaking.
**Step 10: Enjoy!**
* Serve the cookies warm or at room temperature. They are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
## Tips for Baking the Perfect Savannah Guthrie Cookies
* **Use Room Temperature Butter:** Softened butter is crucial for creaming properly with the sugars. Make sure your butter is at room temperature, but not melted. To soften butter quickly, you can cut it into cubes and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or microwave it in short intervals (5-10 seconds) on low power, being careful not to melt it.
* **Measure Ingredients Accurately:** Baking is a science, so precise measurements are essential for consistent results. Use measuring cups and spoons specifically designed for baking, and level off dry ingredients with a straight edge.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined, with a few streaks of flour remaining.
* **Chill the Dough (Optional):** Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight) can improve the flavor and texture of the cookies. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. If chilling, cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap.
* **Use High-Quality Chocolate Chips:** The quality of the chocolate chips will significantly impact the flavor of the cookies. Use high-quality chocolate chips that you enjoy eating on their own. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate.
* **Bake in a Preheated Oven:** Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking the cookies. This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and develop the desired texture.
* **Don’t Overbake the Cookies:** Overbaking will result in dry and crumbly cookies. Bake the cookies until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
* **Cool Completely Before Storing:** Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This prevents them from becoming soggy.
## Variations and Adaptations
One of the best things about this cookie recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few variations to try:
* **Nutty Cookies:** Add 1 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts) to the dough for a nutty flavor and texture.
* **Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies:** Replace 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour with 1/2 cup of rolled oats for a chewier and heartier cookie.
* **Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:** Add 1/2 cup of peanut butter to the wet ingredients for a peanut butter flavor. Reduce the amount of butter by 1/4 cup to compensate for the added fat.
* **Double Chocolate Chip Cookies:** Substitute 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour with 1/4 cup of cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor. Use dark chocolate chips for an even more intense chocolate experience.
* **White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies:** Substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips and add 1 cup of chopped macadamia nuts.
* **Vegan Cookies:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg), and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
* **Gluten-Free Cookies:** Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You may need to add a bit more liquid to the dough to achieve the desired consistency.
* **Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped caramel candies to the dough and sprinkle the cookies with sea salt before baking.
* **Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies:** Add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients for a coffee-infused flavor.
## Troubleshooting Common Cookie Problems
Even with the best recipe and instructions, sometimes things can go wrong in the kitchen. Here are some common cookie problems and how to fix them:
* **Cookies are Flat and Thin:**
* **Cause:** Butter was too warm or melted, too much sugar, not enough flour, oven temperature too low.
* **Solution:** Use room temperature butter, measure ingredients accurately, chill the dough before baking, increase the oven temperature slightly.
* **Cookies are Hard and Dry:**
* **Cause:** Overbaking, too much flour, not enough butter or sugar.
* **Solution:** Bake for a shorter time, measure ingredients accurately, use the correct ratios of butter and sugar.
* **Cookies are Too Cakey:**
* **Cause:** Too much flour, overmixing the dough, too much baking soda.
* **Solution:** Measure ingredients accurately, don’t overmix the dough, use the correct amount of baking soda.
* **Cookies are Too Crispy:**
* **Cause:** Overbaking, too much sugar, not enough butter.
* **Solution:** Bake for a shorter time, use the correct ratios of sugar and butter.
* **Cookies Spread Too Much:**
* **Cause:** Butter was too warm or melted, oven temperature too low, not enough flour.
* **Solution:** Use room temperature butter, chill the dough before baking, increase the oven temperature slightly, add a tablespoon or two of flour to the dough.
* **Cookies are Not Spreading Enough:**
* **Cause:** Dough was too cold, too much flour, not enough butter or sugar.
* **Solution:** Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes before baking, measure ingredients accurately, use the correct ratios of butter and sugar.
## Serving Suggestions
Savannah Guthrie’s go-to cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be enjoyed in a variety of ways:
* **Warm and Fresh:** Serve the cookies warm straight from the oven with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee.
* **Ice Cream Sandwiches:** Use the cookies to make ice cream sandwiches with your favorite flavor of ice cream.
* **Cookie Crumbles:** Crumble the cookies and use them as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or parfaits.
* **Dessert Platter:** Include the cookies on a dessert platter with other treats such as brownies, cupcakes, and fruit.
* **Gift Giving:** Package the cookies in a decorative tin or box and give them as a thoughtful gift to friends and family.
## Conclusion
Savannah Guthrie’s go-to cookie recipe is a classic for a reason. It’s simple, delicious, and versatile, making it a perfect choice for any occasion. With this detailed guide, you can recreate these cookies in your own kitchen and enjoy the warm, comforting taste of homemade goodness. Whether you follow the recipe exactly or experiment with variations, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of Savannah Guthrie’s famous cookies!