How to make chocolate chip cookies
Makes 2415 min prep10–12 min bake350°F / 175°C
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt
- ¾ cup (170 g) butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, ½ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two trays with parchment.
- Whisk flour, baking soda and salt together.
- Beat butter and both sugars for 2 minutes until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
- Stir in the dry mix just until combined, then fold in the chips.
- Scoop heaped tablespoons 2 inches apart.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden and centers look slightly soft.
- Cool on the tray for 5 minutes before moving.
Chewier cookies: chill the dough for 30 minutes to 24 hours. It spreads less and develops deeper flavor.
How to make banana bread
Makes 1 loaf15 min prep55–65 min bake350°F / 175°C
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp baking soda, pinch of salt
- 1½ cups (190 g) flour
- Optional: ½ cup walnuts or chocolate chips
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix bananas and melted butter. Stir in sugar, egg and vanilla.
- Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the batter, then stir in the flour just until no dry streaks remain.
- Fold in nuts or chocolate, then pour into the pan.
- Bake 55–65 minutes. A skewer in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then on a rack before slicing.
Not ripe enough? Bake whole, unpeeled bananas on a tray at 300°F (150°C) for 15–20 minutes until the skins turn black, then cool and mash.
How to make fudgy brownies
Makes 1615 min prep25–30 min bake350°F / 175°C
Ingredients
- ½ cup (115 g) butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla
- ⅓ cup (30 g) cocoa powder
- ½ cup (65 g) flour
- ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang.
- Whisk melted butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla for 1 minute.
- Sift in cocoa, flour, salt and baking powder and fold until just combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips and spread in the pan.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until the edges set and a skewer shows moist crumbs.
- Cool completely for clean slices.
Bake time and doneness at a glance
| Bake | Temperature | Time | Done when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cookies | 350°F / 175°C | 10–12 min | Edges golden, centers soft |
| Banana bread | 350°F / 175°C | 55–65 min | Skewer clean or few crumbs |
| Brownies | 350°F / 175°C | 25–30 min | Edges set, moist crumbs |
Troubleshooting
Flat cookies
Butter too warm or dough not chilled. Chill 30 minutes and check oven temperature.
Dense banana bread
Overmixing develops gluten. Stir only until the flour disappears.
Cakey brownies
Too much flour or overbaking. Measure flour by weight and pull them early.
Dark outside, raw middle
Oven too hot. Use an oven thermometer or tent loaves with foil.
FAQ
Can I freeze cookie dough?
Yes. Scoop balls onto a tray, freeze, then bag them. Bake from frozen with 1–2 extra minutes.
How do I store banana bread?
Wrap tightly at room temperature for 2–3 days, or slice and freeze for up to 3 months.
Why do my brownies have a crinkly top?
Whisking the sugar and eggs well creates a thin meringue-like crust that cracks as it bakes.
Can I use margarine?
Butter gives better flavor and texture. If you use a spread, choose one with at least 80% fat.