Going Cookie Extreme: Southwest Chile Chip Cookies

Is there anyone who doesn't like freshly made cookies? Of course there is nary a soul who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies. How can anyone resist biting into a chocolate chip cookie and having that little morsel of yumminess smearing their lips. Somethings are just meant to be enjoyed and homemade cookies are one of those!

Here at Casa de Cuisine we do our chocolate chip cookies a little different. We amp up their flavor and texture. We amp up the flavor by adding a little chile powder to the fun. This greatly enhances the flavor of both the chips and the dough. We amp up the texture by not using butter. Instead we use a vegetable shortening and this give us a chewy cookie and really doesn't reduce the richness of the cookie itself. Of course we also present them different in that we don't add the chips to the dough. Once the cookies are out of the oven, we put the chips on by hand. In doing this, the chips will "slow-heat" from the cookie and they will not only melt into place but they will stay creamy longer.

So the next time you want to make some chocolate chip cookies, go on an adventure and make them the way we do in the great Southwest!

For a complete how-to slideshow on making Southwest Chile Chip Cookies, go to the free Facebook page for ChefLarryEdwards (yes, all one word):

Ingredients needed to make Southwest Chile Chip Cookies (amount depends on size):

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 Tbs. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. chile powder
• Flavored chips (we use chocolate, white and butterscotch)

Steps:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone sheet.
2. In a mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the shortening and brown sugar until creamy.
3. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat until smooth.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt and chile powder.
5. Add the flour mixture and beat until a dough is formed.
6. Using a cookie scoop, scoop out portions of the dough and place on the prepared pan.
7. Place into the oven and bake 10 minutes (depending on size).
8. Remove from the oven and place the chips on the cookies.

The new cookbook from Chef Larry Edwards is now available from Amazon.com and bookstores worldwide. One of the most anticipated cookbooks of the year, "Edwardian Cooking: Inspired by Downton Abbey's Elegant Meals."