Student essays + recipe advice?

[luzula]

My job now is to give detailed writing feedback on 50 student papers on coronavirus modelling, using the classic SIR model. On the bright side, the students are much more aware than they usually are that a model =/= reality, compared to last year when the topic was Lotka-Volterra population dynamics. I guess this is because of media attention on disagreement between epidemiologists? On the not-so-bright side, they can't write any better than usual. Augh. /o\

Relatedly, I feel the need to bake chocolate chip cookies, preferably ones that are very chocolatey (like, cocoa in the batter as well). Does anyone have a favorite recipe, and how do I get them to be more chewy as opposed to brittle?

Comments

[james]

I have a cookie recipe that consistently works very well.

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa (we like to use dark chocolate cocoa powder if we have it)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 salt
chocolate chips (bittersweet or dark chocolate works really well)

Beat butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla together. In separate bowl mix dry ingredients well, add to wet ingredients. Add chocolate chips.

Bake 8-10 minutes at 350º.

For chewy - undercook them a tiny bit and let them sit on the pan for a minute or two, to finish cooking without overcooking. (Also, the type of pan you use can affect how well they bake, so take a look at what you're using and web search for how it will affect your cookies, if you need to adjust temperature or time.)

This is a great 4 part article on how different changes affect the outcome of a chocolate chip cookie, so you can design your perfect cookie!

[hurry_sundown]

Thanks for sharing this. I'm passing that article along to my daughter, who is the family stress-baker. We've had all manner of chip cookies since we went into lockdown.

[luzula]

Oh, thank you! And thanks for the link to the experimentation as well, that is very cool.

Er, actually I have now acquired a tub of artisan gelato instead, so I am not going to be baking today. But I'll save the recipe up for another time. : )

[seascribble]

I have not made these specific cookies, but in general I love everything I've made from this blog. https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/12/the-browniest-cookies/

[luzula]

Thanks for the tip!

And hey, you changed your username? But the icon is still the same. : )

[seascribble]

See my latest post. *aggrieved face*

[luzula]

Ugh, that sucks. /o\ Best of luck with it!

[seascribble]

Thank you. <3

[regshoe]

I remember doing SIR models at uni—must be a lot more relevant for today's students...!

Ooh, I feel like doing some baking this weekend (fingers crossed I can find flour), I'll have to have a look at these recipes :D

[luzula]

Yes, I guess it's nice for them to have a modelling project that feels immediately relevant to them!

Good luck with the baking--I hope you get some flour.

[chestnut_pod]

"On the not-so-bright side, they can't write any better than usual." -- Oh, deep sigh of commiseration.

This recipe for cookies that are essentially brownies, with extra chocolate chips, is my go-to for extreme chocolate overload via small handheld pastry.

[luzula]

Ugh. I mean, I enjoy giving writing feedback, but there comes a point where you just want to bang your head against a wall.

Thanks for the recipe and the sympathy! : )