The Ultimate Mrs. Fields Cookie Recipe: Baking Perfection at Home
Craving the iconic, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Mrs. Fields cookies? You’re not alone! These legendary treats, known for their soft centers, chewy edges, and generous chunks of chocolate, have captivated cookie lovers for decades. While the original recipe remains a closely guarded secret, numerous variations and inspired-by recipes have emerged, allowing you to recreate that irresistible taste and texture in your own kitchen. This guide provides a comprehensive and meticulously tested Mrs. Fields cookie recipe, complete with detailed instructions, tips, and troubleshooting advice to ensure baking success. Get ready to embark on a delightful culinary journey and impress your friends and family with homemade cookies that rival the real deal.
Understanding the Mrs. Fields Cookie Magic
Before diving into the recipe, let’s explore the key characteristics that define a Mrs. Fields cookie and how we aim to achieve them:
* **Soft and Chewy Texture:** This is arguably the most defining feature. We’ll achieve this through a combination of ingredients, including brown sugar, cornstarch (optional but highly recommended), and precise baking time.
* **Rich and Buttery Flavor:** Butter is essential! Using high-quality butter and creaming it properly with the sugars will create a flavorful and tender cookie.
* **Generous Chocolate Chunks:** Forget chocolate chips; we’re using chunks! This ensures pockets of gooey, melted chocolate in every bite. Semi-sweet and dark chocolate are the classic choices, but feel free to experiment with milk chocolate or even white chocolate.
* **Slightly Underbaked Center:** The goal is to have a slightly soft and gooey center while the edges are golden brown and slightly crispy. This requires careful monitoring and precise timing.
* **Subtle Vanilla Aroma:** A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile and adds warmth to the cookies.
The Mrs. Fields Inspired Cookie Recipe
This recipe is inspired by Mrs. Fields’ signature cookies, aiming to replicate their texture, flavor, and overall appeal. It’s been thoroughly tested and tweaked to provide consistent results.
**Yields:** Approximately 24-36 cookies (depending on size)
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Chill time:** 30 minutes (optional but recommended)
**Bake time:** 8-12 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for added chewiness)
* 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks (or a combination of semi-sweet and dark chocolate)
* 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for added texture and flavor)
**Equipment:**
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Cookie sheets
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
* Cookie scoop (optional, for uniform cookies)
* Wire rack
**Instructions:**
**1. Cream the Butter and Sugars:**
* In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process is crucial for incorporating air into the dough, resulting in a lighter and more tender cookie. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
**2. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:**
* Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This step adds moisture and richness to the dough.
**3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:**
* In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch (if using). Whisking ensures that the ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of baking soda or salt in the cookies.
**4. 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, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Stop mixing when you no longer see streaks of flour.
**5. Stir in the Chocolate Chunks and Nuts (Optional):**
* Gently fold in the chocolate chunks and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
**6. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended):**
* Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. Chilling the dough helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in thicker and chewier cookies. It also allows the flavors to meld together.
**7. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets:**
* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
**8. Scoop and Arrange the Dough:**
* Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. For larger cookies, use a larger scoop.
**9. Bake the Cookies:**
* Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. The baking time will vary depending on your oven and the size of the cookies. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
**10. Cool the Cookies:**
* Remove the cookie 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 set slightly.
**11. 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 Perfect Mrs. Fields Inspired Cookies
* **Use Room Temperature Butter:** Softened butter is crucial for creaming properly with the sugars. If the butter is too cold, it will be difficult to cream, and if it’s too melted, the cookies may spread too much.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** Use the spoon and level method to measure your flour. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping the flour directly from the bag, as this can pack the flour and result in dry cookies.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough is optional but highly recommended. It helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allows the flavors to meld together.
* **Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
* **Don’t Overbake the Cookies:** The cookies should be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. They will continue to bake as they cool on the baking sheets.
* **Adjust Baking Time:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep a close eye on the cookies and adjust the baking time accordingly.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, nuts, and extracts to create your own unique Mrs. Fields inspired cookies.
Troubleshooting Common Cookie Baking Problems
* **Cookies are too flat:**
* Possible causes: Butter was too melted, dough was not chilled, oven temperature was too low, too much sugar.
* Solutions: Use softened but not melted butter, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, ensure your oven is properly preheated, reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
* **Cookies are too dry:**
* Possible causes: Overbaked, too much flour, not enough butter or sugar.
* Solutions: Don’t overbake, measure flour accurately, increase the amount of butter or sugar slightly.
* **Cookies are too hard:**
* Possible causes: Overmixed dough, overbaked, too much flour.
* Solutions: Don’t overmix the dough, don’t overbake, measure flour accurately.
* **Cookies are too crumbly:**
* Possible causes: Not enough butter or sugar, too much flour.
* Solutions: Increase the amount of butter or sugar slightly, measure flour accurately.
* **Cookies spread too much:**
* Possible causes: Butter was too melted, dough was not chilled, oven temperature was too low.
* Solutions: Use softened but not melted butter, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, ensure your oven is properly preheated.
Variations and Add-Ins
* **Double Chocolate Chip:** Use both semi-sweet and dark chocolate chunks.
* **Peanut Butter Chip:** Add 1 cup of peanut butter chips to the dough.
* **Oatmeal Chocolate Chip:** Substitute 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 cup of rolled oats.
* **White Chocolate Macadamia Nut:** Use white chocolate chunks and macadamia nuts.
* **Cinnamon Spice:** Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
* **Espresso Chocolate Chip:** Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
* **Salted Caramel:** Drizzle melted caramel over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with sea salt.
The Science Behind the Cookie
Cookie baking isn’t just about following a recipe; it’s about understanding the science behind the ingredients and how they interact. Here’s a brief overview:
* **Butter:** Provides flavor, tenderness, and richness. It also helps to create a soft and chewy texture.
* **Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps to create a crispy edge. Brown sugar also contributes to a chewy texture due to its molasses content.
* **Eggs:** Bind the ingredients together, add moisture, and contribute to the structure of the cookie.
* **Flour:** Provides structure and texture. All-purpose flour is the most common type of flour used in cookie baking.
* **Baking Soda:** A leavening agent that helps the cookies to rise and spread.
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Cornstarch:** (Optional) Adds chewiness to the cookies.
Why This Recipe Works
This Mrs. Fields inspired cookie recipe works because it focuses on the key elements that contribute to the signature texture and flavor of the original cookies. By using high-quality ingredients, creaming the butter and sugars properly, chilling the dough (optional), and carefully monitoring the baking time, you can create cookies that are soft, chewy, and bursting with chocolate.
Serving Suggestions
* Serve the cookies warm with a glass of cold milk.
* Enjoy them as an afternoon treat or dessert.
* Pack them in lunchboxes for a special surprise.
* Bring them to potlucks or gatherings.
* Give them as gifts to friends and family.
Storage Instructions
* Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Final Thoughts
Baking these Mrs. Fields inspired cookies is a rewarding experience that will fill your kitchen with the warm and inviting aroma of freshly baked treats. With a little practice and attention to detail, you’ll be able to create cookies that are just as delicious and satisfying as the ones you remember from your childhood. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of homemade happiness!
This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and add-ins to create your own signature cookies. Happy baking!