River Cottage

Whip up some classic choc chip cookies, River cottage style

Watch Hugh making his chocolate chip cookies.

Makes 14-16

• 125g unsalted butter
• 100g caster sugar
• 75g soft light brown sugar
• 1 medium egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 150g plain flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 100g dark or milk chocolate, chopped into smallish chunks

How to make chocolate chip cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/gas 5 and line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment.

2. Gently melt the butter in a small saucepan. Put both sugars into a mixing bowl, pour in the melted butter and beat well with a wooden spoon. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl and stir them in, then add the chocolate. You should have a pretty sloppy sort of mixture.

3. Dot heaped dessertspoonfuls of the mixture on to the baking sheets, leaving a good 4cm between them as they really spread out. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cookies are turning pale golden brown.

4. Remove from the oven and leave on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes to firm up. Then carefully lift the baking parchment on to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

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