Nina's Special Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt

History has it that these cookies fueled my nephews’ high school football teams for 8 years through summer 2 a days straight on to the championships. As each moved on to college these goodies were the much anticipated highlight of mid terms, finals, and random care packages sent to their frat houses. Anyone that has been treated to one wishes my sister Nina would open a business and sell them.

Made with extra virgin olive (instead of butter) and so much love, these cookies are indeed special; just like Nina ❤️ . This recipe is for big boys with big appetites and will yield 3 dozen 4” diameter treats.

Should you want to make a half recipe jump to the very bottom.

If you are not a fan of dark chocolate they can be made with milk chocolate chips as well or a combination of both kinds of chocolate chips (as depicted in the photo)

Try these with a nice glass of Pinot Noir as an after dinner treat 😋😋

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

 2 tsp baking soda

 3 tsp of COARSE sea salt. (i.e. not granulated). You can also use coarse Pink Himalayan Salt . (coarse salt you would find for use in a grinder or for salting water)

2 cups of Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Make that chocolate flavor POP big time . Use TRAMPOLINI BLACK LABEL EVOO

 3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 ¼ cups brown sugar packed.

3 tsp good vanilla extract

 4 large eggs- at room temperature

 5 cups (3 bags) of dark chocolate morsels. Ghirardelli or another brand with 72% Cacao.

 STEPS :

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In medium bowl sift together flour, baking soda and then mix in coarse salt. MIX well with a wooden spoon.

In a large bowl do the following ONE STEP AT A TIME: Do not use an electric mixer.  This should all be done by hand.

1. Add EVOO

2. Add sugar. MIX In with wooden spoon

3. Add brown sugar. MIX in with wooden spoon.

4. Add vanilla extract.

MIX all of the above until very creamy. (Think of “creaming” the butter & sugar from other recipes)

Next mix in eggs ONE egg at a time. As each egg gets incorporated you will notice how these ingredients will begin to emulsify and come together as a paste.

Next SLOWLY mix in the dry ingredients 1 cup at a time, 

After all the above is mixed well add in chocolate morsels folding them well into the mixture. 

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, measure the dough , scoop out into your hands and roll into a ball placing them onto an ungreased cookie sheet (parchment paper works best). They should fit 6 on a pan as they will spread.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Each oven is different so start with 9 minutes. If you use dark cookie sheets you need to keep an eye out as they will brown the cookies quicker.

Place cookies immediately on cooling rack and sprinkle top of each cookie with Sea Salt. 

HALF RECIPE :

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp of COARSE sea salt. (i.e. not granulated). You can also use coarse Pink Himalayan Salt . (coarse salt you would find for use in a grinder or salting water)

1 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil . Make that chocolate flavor to POP big time . Use TRAMPOLINI BLACK LABEL EVOO

1/4 cup PLUS 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup PLUS 2 tablespoons brown sugar packed.

 1 1/2 tsp good vanilla extract.

2 large eggs

2 1/2 cups (about 2 bags) of dark chocolate morsels. Ghirardelli or another brand with 72% Cacao.