Chances are you’ve seen these cookies. I am, in fact, a full two years behind the buzz. See, when Kim Boyce came out with her Good to the Grain cookbook in 2010 the blogosphere went nuts for these whole wheat chocolate chip cookies. Orangette was sold. Marisa of Food in Jars raved about them. Sweet Amandine called them home. And me? I kept making my old Martha Stewart standbys like a sucker. Typically baked goods that call for whole wheat flour still use half all purpose flour to keep the texture in check. But these little daredevils use 100% whole wheat flour. Would that really be good? Wouldn’t they be dense little pucks?
I should have had more faith, both in Kim Boyce and in my fellow bloggers who lost their minds over these cookies. Because of course they’re that good. They’re firm and chewy, rich in flavor, sweet but not too sweet. They’re perfect. And they call for 2 cups and sugar and 2 sticks of butter so there’s no way you can call them health food. But maybe, just maybe, you can feel a little bit better about yourself because they’re packed with wholesome whole wheat flour.
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1½ tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) cold, unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a large baking tray with parchment.
- Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and whisk together. Set aside.
- Put the butter and sugars in another large bowl and mix until fully creamed and combined (a stand mixer makes easy work of this).
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating until each one is incorporated. Mix in the vanilla.
- Add the flour mixture and mix until just fully incorporated (use your hands if necessary).
- Scoop the dough, a few tablespoons per cookie, onto the baking sheet. (At this point cookie dough can be formed into balls and frozen on a baking tray before being transferred to freezer bags or containers in the fridge.)
- Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, or until light golden brown.
I too have held on to my old favorite but perhaps, just perhaps I should give this a try. 🙂
Old favorites are old favorites for a reason, but these are definitely with trying! I hope you enjoy them 🙂
The cookies look perfect and it is hard to believe that they are made from whole wheat flour! Bookmarked them. Thanks for sharing
I know! They’re great – I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
I welcome any excuse to eat more cookies!
I see you and I are on the same wavelength, Lynda 🙂
Yessss! I have been waiting for you to post these! They are SO good. May actually make them tonight 🙂
I know! I’ve been behind. I need to make another batch too! Thanks Beth 🙂
They do sound great. I wonder if cookies go well with buckwheat flour.
Thanks Lizzy! Great question – let me know if you give it a try. I haven’t baked with buckwheat flour.
I’m sure they are yummy, I will try these cookies for my son Katherine! Have a nice week!
I’m sure your son will love them, and you can rest a little easier knowing they are whole wheat 🙂 Hope you have a great week too!
Yup, I’ve been in the skeptical camp about these too. But you’ve sold me – I’ll definitely have to give these a try. (Or suggest them to my wife – she’s by far the better baker.) And who can resist a picture of cookies and milk? Love the overhead shot. Thanks.
I know, I held out for as long as I could! But I’ve never had so many recipe requests for cookies as when I shared these. I hope you and your wife enjoy them! And glad you like the overhead shot, thanks!
There is nothing like a good chocolate chip cookie. I can’t wait to try this version.
Amen! Hope you enjoy it Judee 😀
Delicious! I keep thinking of whole wheat chocolate chip cookies and want to make some version of them….these sure do look amazing!
Thanks Ann! These really were incredible, and with all whole wheat flour! Can’t wait to see what you come up with 🙂
Love these cookies! The whole wheat works so well with the chocolate. I like trying different flours and Kim Boyce’s book is a great resource. I just made her crumble bars using rye flour and they were terrific (and included lots of butter!).
It really does! I don’t experiment nearly enough with different types of flours, I’d like to start. I’ll have to check out her crumble bars, thanks for the recommendation!
Well, you’ve sold me, I’m now going to have to try these cookies!!!!
I hope you enjoy them Jennifer!! I sure did 🙂
Mmm. I love cookies like this. I am definitely going to have to try this.
Me too! The whole wheat actually adds great flavor. I hope you enjoy them!
I know my children would not say no to a batch of those yummy cookies! And I would not mind sneaking a little fiber in their tummies, too!
It’s a win-win! I’m sure your kids will love these – I hope they do!
oh yes, wholewheat and chocolate! I would love them too.
They’re the best! Now I need to make another batch…! 🙂
I have actually never had a cookie made with whole wheat flour, but it sure looks like it works deliciously. I will need to try to make better use of that flour and cookies are a great way to start! Inspiring post.
As I mentioned I’ve used whole wheat flour in cookies and baking before, but never entirely whole wheat! But these just work. Thanks so much Tina! I can’t wait to hear how your ventures with whole wheat flour come.
I’ve felt the same way…but now, with your endorsement, I will have to try these out on my family! They look amazing!
Haha I love it – I keep hearing this again and again. I’m happy I wasn’t alone in my trepidation! Anyway, I am sure you will love them Liz. Your family will be happy to be guinea pigs 🙂
Did you see Saveur’s list of the top 10 viral recipes? I think this was on it. I haven’t tried it, since I’m 100% in love with the NYT chocolate chip cookies (another recipe on that list). I wonder how they’d turn out with whole wheat flour …..
Yes, I think I did! I will have to try out the NYT recipe next time. And with whole wheat flour? Now you’re talking!
Do I need more excuse to eat more cookies? Glad these are whole wheat 😀
Haha I know I don’t! I know, the whole wheat somehow makes be feel *slightly* better about eating them 😉
I would have to switch them to white. No wheat allowed for Miss Bee. These look decadent like crazy. Great cookies Katherine.
Huh! Well I’m sure these would be great with regular flour as well – hard to go wrong with chocolate chip cookies!
Hmmm maybe the “whole wheat” part makes balances out those extra butter and sugar part? =) I’ve been seeing so many delicious cookie posts lately and I wonder how I’m going “not” to make these delicious cookies! Impossible! It seems like this is one of special recipes that we all should keep!
Haha, that is what I am hoping Nami! Thanks 🙂
I haven’t tried these yet, but I’m definitely putting them on my short list. They sound yummy, and there’s always room for another chocolate chip cookie recipe. 🙂
I couldn’t agree with you more Betty! I hope you give these a try soon, I know you’ll love them as much as I did!
love love love these cookies! I made them the other week and they were delicious. And the whole wheat cancels out the 2 sticks of butter right..? 🙂
Aren’t they the best?! And yes, whole wheat totally cancels out anything bad 😉
I made this recipe last night and they are AMAZING! I used imitation vanilla extract and sea salt substitutions because I did not have pure vanilla extract or kosher salt on hand. The cookies were soft and buttery. I will definitely be making these again andy I’m going to be back to your blog. So happy!
Montina I am so glad you liked it as much as I did!! Isn’t it a great recipe?! Thanks so much for reporting back!! 😀
These were Great!! I used 3/4 of a cup of extra lite tasting olive oil. My Husband had one when he got home and said ” I thought you were making Healthy cookies…”
I’m so glad you liked them! Great idea substituting olive oil. I love those kinds of reactions! Thanks for reporting back 😀
I’ve just made these cookies and they turned out perfectly 🙂 will definitely be using this recipe again
Yay! Isn’t it a great recipe? It’s hard to believe it’s all whole wheat.
I just baked these and MAN ARE THEY GOOD! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! The smell of them when they come out of the oven are absolutely heavenly! Thanks again 🙂
Hurrah!! So glad you enjoyed them as much as I did 🙂