Irresistibly Chewy Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Delightful Discovery

There’s something uniquely comforting about a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, but imagine that classic treat elevated with a distinct, nostalgic malt flavor. These Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies are exactly that: a perfect blend of familiar comfort and exciting new taste. They are designed to be thin, wonderfully soft, and delightfully chewy, delivering a full-bodied malt essence with every bite. If you’re looking to add a touch of unexpected magic to your cookie jar, you’ve come to the right place. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a testament to unexpected culinary adventures, born from a rather unconventional kitchen mishap.

Recently, my world was turned upside down by a home improvement project – I decided it was time to refresh the look of my kitchen, dining, and living rooms with a fresh coat of paint. The process was, as expected, a whirlwind of moving furniture, covering surfaces, and generally making a delightful mess. I promise to share photos of the new, vibrant spaces very soon! However, amidst the chaos of shifting everything around, I made an unwelcome discovery: the presence of a tiny, scurrying visitor. Or rather, visitors. So far, we’ve successfully (and thankfully!) caught two of them. My fingers are crossed that this marks the end of our rodent saga. To be frank, I am not a fan of rodents. Those tiny, beady eyes and slender tails are definitely not my cup of tea, not even when safely contained in a pet store cage.

The unsettling presence of these little creatures, though unwelcome, served as a powerful catalyst for an unexpected, full-blown cleaning spree. It wasn’t just a surface wipe-down; it was a mission. Every single item was pulled out of the cabinets, shelves were meticulously wiped clean, and every box and container was inspected with a fine-tooth comb for any suspicious teeth marks. Anything that hinted at contamination or simply looked out of place after years of neglect was unceremoniously tossed. Without a second thought, items that had long overstayed their welcome found their way to the discard pile. This intensive decluttering, fueled by a desire for a pristine, pest-free home, surprisingly led to a wonderful culinary rediscovery.

This intense cleaning expedition made me realize that I truly should organize my cabinets more often. Especially those cavernous corner cabinets that seem to swallow everything. They inevitably become the catch-all zones in any kitchen – the default destination for anything that doesn’t have an obvious home elsewhere. Need to store a large coffee can? Shove it in there. Various vases, an overflowing stash of Ziplock bags, reusable water bottles, whimsical popsicle molds, and even bags of marshmallows all reside in these culinary black holes. They truly are the ultimate catch-all cabinets, a treasure trove of forgotten items and hidden potential.

And it was in one of these very catch-all cabinets, tucked away behind a battalion of marshmallows, a jar of straws, plastic silverware, and stacks of paper plates, that I found it: a forgotten container of malted milk powder. I had completely forgotten I even possessed such a delightful ingredient! It was buried deep in the back, seemingly trying to hide from the curious eyes of my children. Its discovery sparked an immediate craving and inspiration, leading directly to the creation of these incredible Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies. Sometimes, the most delicious discoveries are made when you’re least expecting them, often spurred by something as mundane as a deep clean.

The Magic of Malted Milk: Why It Elevates Your Baking

If you’ve never experienced the unique charm of malted milk, you are truly missing out on a delightful flavor profile. I like to think of it as a subtly candied powdered milk, but that description barely scratches the surface of its appeal. It possesses a distinct, toasty, and slightly caramel-like sweetness that is incredibly versatile. Traditionally, it’s stirred into a glass of cold milk for a comforting beverage, or blended into milkshakes and homemade ice cream for an extra layer of richness. It’s sweet, but never cloyingly so, offering a balanced and complex taste that is genuinely hard to fully describe – you simply have to try it! And for the chocolate lovers out there, it also comes in a wonderful chocolate flavor, offering even more possibilities for delicious treats.

Beyond its incredible taste, incorporating malted milk powder into your cookies offers remarkable textural benefits. It’s a secret ingredient for achieving that coveted soft and chewy texture that makes cookies utterly irresistible. The malt powder helps to tenderize the dough, resulting in a cookie that is moist on the inside and perfectly pliable. For these Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies, this means they come out thin and flexible, making them ideal for stacking (if you can resist eating them all immediately!). Be warned: once you start, it’s incredibly difficult to stop at just one. You might find yourself reaching for five or six before you even realize it!

Baking Tips for Perfect Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Achieving the perfect Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies is all about paying attention to a few key details. Firstly, ensure your butter is genuinely softened, not melted. Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugars, incorporating air that contributes to the cookies’ light texture. When adding the eggs, make sure they are also at room temperature; this helps them emulsify better with the butter mixture, leading to a smoother, more uniform dough.

Malted milk powder can sometimes clump, so whisking it briefly with the vanilla before adding it to the wet ingredients can ensure even distribution. When combining your dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda) with the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher cookies. For these particular cookies, which tend to spread, give them ample space on your baking sheet. Placing them about 3 inches apart will prevent them from merging into one giant cookie. Keep a close eye on them in the oven; the edges should just barely begin to turn golden. Pulling them out at this stage, even if the centers look a little underdone, is key to achieving that wonderfully soft and chewy interior after they cool.

Finally, patience is a virtue when it comes to cooling. Allowing the cookies to rest on the hot baking sheet for 10 minutes helps them set and firm up without becoming brittle, making them easier to transfer to a cooling rack. Once fully cooled, store them in an airtight container to maintain their softness and freshness for days. These small steps will ensure your Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything you dreamed of: thin, soft, chewy, and bursting with delightful malt flavor.

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Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup malted milk powder
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Cream together softened butter and sugars (granulated and brown) until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 5 minutes with an electric mixer. This step incorporates air, making the cookies lighter. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined.
Stir in the vanilla extract and the malted milk powder. Continue beating on low speed until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet batter, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Once the dough is mostly formed, gently stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips by hand until they are evenly distributed.
Spoon rounded tablespoons of dough (a medium cookie scoop works perfectly) onto an ungreased baking sheet, ensuring they are placed approximately 3 inches apart. These cookies tend to spread quite a bit during baking. Bake in a preheated 350-degree Fahrenheit (175°C) oven for 9-10 minutes, or just until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft.
Once baked, allow the Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a full 10 minutes. This critical step allows them to set and continue cooking slightly from the residual heat. After 10 minutes, carefully transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness and chewiness.

Notes

Recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com

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My Favorite Products for Making Perfect Cookies Every Time

To ensure your cookies come out perfectly every time, having the right tools makes all the difference. These are some of my go-to products that help achieve consistently excellent results, from mixing to baking and cooling:

Want More Irresistible Cookie Recipes?

If you’ve fallen in love with these Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies and are eager to explore more delightful baked goods, you’re in luck! My kitchen is always busy concocting new and exciting cookie variations. Whether you’re craving nostalgic flavors, unique twists on classics, or something entirely new, there’s a cookie here for every preference. Dive into some of these other fantastic recipes to fill your cookie jar with even more deliciousness:

Root Beer Float Cookies

Iced Oatmeal Cookies

Caramel Apple Toffee Cookies

Pumpkin Spice White Chocolate Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

Jello Sugar Cookies

Pie Crust Cookies

50 Cookie Recipes to Fill your Cookie Jar