Hello, Good News! If you are a fan of chocolate chip cookies, you might have heard of the famous Metropolitan Market Cookie, also known as “The Cookie”. This is a giant, soft, and chewy cookie that is loaded with two kinds of Belgian chocolate, toasted walnuts, and a sprinkle of sea salt. It is widely regarded as one of the best cookies in Seattle, and many people line up to get a taste of this decadent treat.
But what if you don’t live in Seattle, or you want to make your own version of The Cookie at home? Well, you are in luck, because we have the perfect recipe for you. In this article, we will show you how to make the (almost) Metropolitan Market Cookie Recipe at home, using simple ingredients and easy steps. You will also learn some tips and tricks to make your cookies even better, and some fun facts about The Cookie and its history. So grab your apron and let’s get baking!
What Makes The Cookie So Special?
The Cookie is not your ordinary chocolate chip cookie. It has some unique features that make it stand out from the crowd. Here are some of them:
The Size
The Cookie is huge. It weighs about 4 ounces, which is equivalent to four regular-sized cookies. It is about 5 inches in diameter, and almost an inch thick. This means that one cookie can satisfy your sweet tooth for a long time, or you can share it with someone else (if you are feeling generous).
The Chocolate
The Cookie uses two kinds of high-quality chocolate: Callebaut semisweet and bittersweet chocolate. Callebaut is a Belgian brand that is known for its rich and smooth chocolate products. The semisweet chocolate has a balanced sweetness and a hint of vanilla flavor, while the bittersweet chocolate has a deeper and more intense cocoa flavor. Together, they create a complex and delicious chocolate experience in every bite.
The Walnuts
The Cookie also contains toasted walnuts, which add a nice crunch and nuttiness to the cookie. The walnuts are toasted in the oven before being chopped and mixed into the dough, which enhances their flavor and aroma. The walnuts also provide some healthy fats, protein, and fiber to the cookie.
The Salt
The Cookie is finished with a sprinkle of fleur de sel, which is a type of sea salt that has delicate crystals and a mild flavor. The salt adds a contrast to the sweetness of the cookie, and also brings out the flavors of the chocolate and the walnuts. The salt also creates a nice texture on the surface of the cookie.
How to Make The (Almost) Metropolitan Market Cookie Recipe
Now that you know what makes The Cookie so special, let’s see how you can make it at home. This recipe is adapted from [Female Foodie](^1^), who claims that it is the closest thing to the original Metropolitan Market Cookie. The recipe makes 12 large cookies, but you can adjust it according to your preference.
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnuts
- 1 cup butter, slightly softened*
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet Callebaut chocolate chunks or chips**
- 1 cup bittersweet Callebaut chocolate chunks or chips**
- Fleur de sel for sprinkling***
*To soften butter quickly, cut it into small pieces and microwave for 10 seconds at a time until slightly soft but not melted.
**You can use any high-quality chocolate that you like, but Callebaut is recommended for the best results.
***You can use any sea salt that you like, but fleur de sel is recommended for its delicate texture and flavor.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer and toast for 8-10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let them cool slightly before chopping them coarsely.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and mix well.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the chocolate chunks or chips and the walnuts with a wooden spoon or a spatula.
- Using a 1/4 cup measure or an ice cream scoop, scoop out the dough and place it on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches of space between each cookie. You should have 12 large balls of dough.
- Flatten the dough slightly with your fingers and sprinkle some fleur de sel on top of each cookie.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are slightly soft. Do not overbake.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy your homemade Metropolitan Market Cookies with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee!
How to Store and Freeze The Cookies
If you have any leftover cookies (which is unlikely), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze them, wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag or a container. To thaw them, let them sit at room temperature for about an hour or microwave them for 10-15 seconds until warm.
FAQs About Metropolitan Market Cookie Recipe
What is Metropolitan Market?
Metropolitan Market is a local grocery store chain in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1971 and has eight locations in the Seattle area. It offers organic, natural, and locally-sourced groceries, as well as prepared foods, bakery items, deli products, flowers, and gifts. It is known for its high-quality products and customer service.
When did Metropolitan Market start selling The Cookie?
Metropolitan Market started selling The Cookie in 2005, after its founder Terry Halverson was inspired by a chocolate chip cookie he had in New York City. He challenged his bakery team to create a cookie that was even better than the one he had tasted, and after many trials and errors, they came up with The Cookie recipe that is still used today.
How popular is The Cookie?
The Cookie is very popular among Seattleites and visitors alike. It has been featured in many local and national media outlets, such as Seattle Met , Seattle Refined , The Seattle Times , The New York Times , Food Network , and Oprah Magazine . It has also won several awards, such as Best Chocolate Chip Cookie by Seattle Magazine , Best Cookie by Evening Magazine , and Best Dessert by Seattle Weekly . According to Metropolitan Market’s website , they sell over 5 million cookies per year.
Can I order The Cookie online?
Yes, you can order The Cookie online from Metropolitan Market’s website . You can choose from different quantities and flavors, such as classic chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle, white chocolate macadamia nut, and gluten-free chocolate chip. You can also add a personalized message card to your order. The cookies are shipped nationwide via UPS Ground or UPS Next Day Air.
Can I make The Cookie vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, you can make The Cookie vegan or gluten-free by making some substitutions in the recipe. For vegan cookies, you can use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of butter, flax eggs instead of eggs, and vegan chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips. For gluten-free cookies, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of regular flour, and make sure that your baking soda, baking powder, salt, chocolate chips, and walnuts are gluten-free as well.
Can I use different nuts or chocolate in The Cookie?
Yes, you can use different nuts or chocolate in The Cookie according to your preference. You can use pecans, almonds, pistachios, or any other nuts that you like instead of walnuts. You can also use milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, or any other chocolate that you like instead of semisweet and bittersweet chocolate. However, keep in mind that changing the nuts or chocolate might alter the flavor and texture of The Cookie.