When I asked Melissa (Smells Like Brownies) to help me become a better baker, I specifically asked to do these cookies.  If you have ever stayed at a Doubletree Hotel, then you know the joy of being handed one of these giant cookies when you check in.  It’s probably one of the most searched for cookie recipes, and it has some secret ingredients that I wouldn’t have guessed.

So, let’s get started!  The first step is to mix the dry ingredients, which include finely ground dry oats.  This is one of the secret ingredients that makes these cookies so good – it makes the texture so lovely.  There’s also a bit of cinnamon in there, yum.

Next, cream butter with both granulated and brown sugar, vanilla, and the next secret ingredient – lemon juice.  I would never have guessed to use lemon juice in a chocolate chip cookie, but it keeps them tender.

Mix the dry into the wet, then stir in chocolate chips and toasted chopped walnuts.  The original recipe didn’t call for toasting the walnuts, but I think it makes the texture nicer and brings out the nutty flavor. (more…)