Last April, a lot of young people busied themselves during lockdown by cooking and baking; Hilton gave encouragement by publishing its DoubleTree cookie recipe.
The recipe was one of the hotel chain’s best kept secrets for several decades. That is why many home bakers made do with near-successful attempts to duplicate the delicious, big-as-a-hand chocolate chip cookies.
Each year, over 30 million DoubleTree cookies are consumed by fans of this brand. Like a cult, DoubleTree followers felt justified for being huge fans, when it became the first baked goody to have been experimented in orbit onboard the International Space Station.
Apparently aware that their signature cookie has a huge fan base, Hilton extended their help to anxious families during the COVID-19 lockdown by publishing this recipe of a well-loved, heart warming and comforting baked treat. The Senior VP and Global Head of the Hilton chain of hotels remarked:
“We know this is an anxious time for everyone.” “Our warm chocolate chip cookie cannot solve everything, but can bring a moment of happiness and comfort.
So without further ado, here’s the recipe.
Hilton’s Recipe for DoubleTree Signature Cookies
Ingredients: Makes 26 cookies
Two (2) sticks or ½ pound softened butter
Three-fourth (¾) cup plus one (1) tablespoon granulated sugar
Three-fourth (¾) packed light brown sugar
Two (2) large eggs
One-fourth (¼) teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
One and one-fourth (1 ¼) teaspoons vanilla extract
Two and one-fourth (2 ¼) cups flour
One (1) teaspoon baking soda
One (1) teaspoon salt
Pinch of cinnamon
One-half (½) cup rolled oats
Two and two-third (2 ⅔) cups Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips
One and three-fourth (1 ¾) cups chopped walnuts
Mixing Directions
1. Mix and cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in a stand-mixer bowl, for about two (2) minutes at medium speed.
2. Lower the speed, then add and blend in eggs, vanilla and lemon juice for about 30 seconds. Then at medium speed, blend the mixture for two (2) minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Mixture should be light and fluffy. The lemon juice will later react with the baking soda, to give the cookies a rise and make the texture chewier as well.
3. Bring the mixer back to low speed, then add flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and oats while mixing for about 45 seconds. Make it a point not to overmix. The rolled oats give texture and add flavor to the chocolate chip cookies. Adding a pinch of cinnamon gives the cookies a special aromatic flavor that smells amazing even as they bake.
4. At this point, you will no longer need the electric mixer. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts by stirring and folding while making sure they are evenly distributed. DoubleTree cookies have that extra nutty flavor because of the large walnuts.
Baking Directions
1. Preheat oven to 300°F
2. Scoop out cookie doughs using an ice cream scoop, then place each one about two (2) inches apart on lined cookie sheets. No need to chill the cookie doughs.
3. Bake for about 20 to 23 minutes. You’ll know it’s time to remove them from the oven, when the dough edges have turned golden brown. DoubleTree cookies are well-loved for having nice chewy centers and crunchy edges.
4. Let the DoughTree cookies cool on the baking sheet for about an hour before transferring to a cooling rack.
Enjoy!