Mastering Katie Lee Biegel’s Goop Cookies: The Ultimate Chocolate, Cherry & Pecan Delight
Dive into the delightful world of what many affectionately call “Goop Cookies,” a standout recipe that originated from the Goop platform and was created by the talented Katie Lee Joel, now known as Katie Lee Biegel. Far from your average chocolate chip cookie, these treats boast a unique profile: they use half the butter of a traditional recipe, akin to the famous Magnolia Bakery cookies, yet deliver an explosion of flavor thanks to a generous medley of high-quality add-ins. This distinctive approach results in a dough that is not overly rich on its own but serves as the perfect canvas for luxurious dark chocolate, vibrant dried cherries, and hearty pecans. Prepare to elevate your cookie baking game with this exceptional recipe.
The Magic of Half the Butter: Texture and Balance
One of the most intriguing aspects of Katie Lee Biegel’s Goop Cookies is their innovative use of butter. While many traditional chocolate chip cookie recipes call for a full cup or more of butter, these cookies thrive on just half that amount. This deliberate reduction in fat isn’t a compromise; rather, it’s a design choice that profoundly impacts the cookie’s texture and overall experience. Instead of the super-rich, almost cake-like chewiness that high-butter cookies often have, Goop Cookies offer a wonderfully balanced texture. They are sturdy enough to hold their substantial fillings, yet tender and satisfying with every bite.
The reduced butter content allows the other flavors to truly shine. Without an overwhelming buttery richness, the nuanced notes of the dark chocolate, the tartness of the cherries, and the earthy crunch of the pecans come to the forefront. This creates a more complex and engaging flavor profile, making each cookie feel lighter yet still incredibly indulgent. It’s a clever trick that demonstrates how thoughtful ingredient ratios can lead to unexpectedly delicious results, proving that sometimes, less truly is more when it comes to certain components.
Understanding the Dough: Less Fat, More Flavor Carriers
The dough for these Goop Cookies acts as an ideal vehicle for its magnificent add-ins. With less butter, the dough is less prone to spreading excessively in the oven, ensuring that your cookies maintain a beautiful, plump shape. This also contributes to a slightly chewier, more substantial base that perfectly cradles the generous amounts of chocolate, fruit, and nuts. This is where the magic truly happens: the dough’s more modest richness is intentionally designed to be complemented, and even elevated, by the bold flavors and textures of the inclusions. Think of it as a blank canvas, perfectly prepared to absorb and highlight the vibrant colors and intricate details of the masterpiece it will soon become.
While some might initially be hesitant about a “less buttery” chocolate chip cookie, these Goop Cookies quickly win over skeptics. The ingenious formulation ensures that the richness you might expect from butter is more than compensated for by the cocoa butter in high-quality chocolate and the natural sweetness and texture of the dried fruits and nuts. This balance creates a cookie that feels satisfying without being overly heavy, making it a perfect treat for any time of day.
The Irresistible Trio: Dark Chocolate, Tart Cherries & Crunchy Pecans
The true stars of Katie Lee Biegel’s Goop Cookies are undoubtedly the add-ins. This carefully selected trio — dark chocolate, dried cherries, and pecans — creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is nothing short of irresistible. Each component plays a crucial role, contributing to the cookie’s unique character and making it stand out from typical chocolate chip recipes. The slight bitterness of dark chocolate, the tangy burst of cherries, and the earthy crunch of pecans combine to create a sophisticated and deeply satisfying experience. This combination is what truly defines the “Goop Cookie” and transforms a simple cookie into a gourmet delight.
The Allure of Dried Cherries: Sourcing and Flavor Profile
Dried cherries are an absolute game-changer in these cookies. While many recipes opt for dried cranberries, the cherries bring a distinct tartness and a rich, fruity depth that cranberries simply can’t match. This tartness is especially important in balancing the sweetness of the dough and the dark chocolate. My personal favorites are tart dried cherries, which I often seek out at specialty markets like Central Market. While those from Williams Sonoma were once a cherished find, the tart varieties generally offer the best flavor contrast.
When selecting your dried cherries, consider their texture. Plump, moist cherries will rehydrate beautifully during baking, offering a soft chewiness within the cookie. If your cherries seem a bit dry, a quick soak in warm water for about 10-15 minutes, followed by patting them completely dry, can revive them. Chopping them coarsely ensures that their flavor is distributed throughout the cookie, providing a delightful burst of fruit in almost every bite. This attention to the quality and preparation of the cherries is vital for achieving the signature Goop Cookie taste.
Elevating Your Cookies with Premium Chocolate: Chips vs. Chunks
For a cookie with fewer buttery notes, the quality of your chocolate becomes paramount. This recipe genuinely shines when you use a high-quality dark chocolate with a cacao percentage of 60% or higher. Such chocolate delivers a profound, complex flavor that complements the tart cherries and nutty pecans without being overly sweet. Initially, I felt compelled to seek out premium brands like “Dolfin,” which had been highly recommended for its exceptional flavor. While Dolfin is indeed a high-end choice, I’ve found that readily available, good-quality bittersweet chips, such as Ghirardelli, perform just as admirably. The key is to avoid lower-quality chocolate that can taste waxy or overly sugary.
Whether you choose chocolate chips or coarsely chopped chocolate bars is a matter of preference. Chocolate chips maintain their shape better, resulting in distinct pockets of chocolate. Chopping a high-quality bar, however, creates irregular shards and pools of melted chocolate throughout the cookie, often leading to a more luxurious mouthfeel and varied texture. Don’t be afraid to mix and match; a combination of a gourmet bar and reliable chips can offer the best of both worlds, providing both structure and luscious melt. The goal is a rich, authentic chocolate experience that elevates the entire cookie.
The Wholesome Crunch of Pecans: A Perfect Complement
Pecans introduce a wonderful textural contrast and a rich, buttery flavor to these cookies. Their natural sweetness and slightly soft crunch perfectly balance the tart cherries and dark chocolate. While listed as optional in the original recipe, I highly recommend including them, as they add another layer of complexity that truly completes the Goop Cookie experience. Their distinct flavor profile works in harmony with the other components, preventing the cookie from being solely about chocolate and fruit.
For an even deeper flavor, lightly toast your pecans before chopping them. Spreading them on a baking sheet and toasting them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant, intensifies their nutty notes. Allow them to cool completely before incorporating them into the dough. If pecans aren’t your preference, walnuts or even a mix of nuts can be a suitable substitute, though pecans are traditional for this specific recipe and contribute significantly to its unique appeal. Chop them coarsely to ensure their presence is felt in every bite without overpowering the other ingredients.
Beyond the Basics: Tips for Baking Perfect Goop Cookies
Achieving cookie perfection goes beyond just having a great recipe; it involves a few key techniques and considerations that can significantly impact the final outcome. These Goop Cookies, with their unique ingredient balance, particularly benefit from attention to detail. Follow these tips to ensure every batch turns out beautifully, boasting the ideal texture and flavor that makes these cookies so beloved.
Ingredient Quality Matters
As highlighted, the quality of your chocolate and cherries makes a substantial difference. But don’t overlook other ingredients. Using fresh, room-temperature butter and eggs is crucial for proper emulsification, leading to a smoother dough and better cookie texture. Room temperature butter creams with sugar more effectively, creating air pockets that contribute to a lighter, fluffier cookie. Similarly, room-temperature eggs incorporate more evenly into the batter. Always opt for unbleached all-purpose flour for a slightly better flavor and texture, and if possible, weigh your flour for precise measurements, as spooning and leveling can still vary widely.
Precision in Preparation
Follow the steps carefully, especially when creaming butter and sugar and adding eggs. Creaming until “light and fluffy” means incorporating enough air to give the cookies structure. Avoid overmixing once the flour is added; this can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Stirring in the flour mixture on low speed or by hand is often best. The folding-in step for chocolate, cherries, and pecans is also important to ensure even distribution without crushing the ingredients. Use a sturdy spatula to gently combine everything, ensuring every scoop gets a good mix of all three delicious elements.
Baking to Perfection
Preheating your oven to the exact temperature (375°F or 190°C) is key. An oven thermometer can help verify your oven’s accuracy. Baking for approximately 12 minutes, with a rotation halfway through, ensures even browning. Look for edges that are set and lightly golden, while the centers still appear slightly soft. Cookies continue to bake slightly on the hot sheet after coming out of the oven. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies, losing the tender chewiness that makes these Goop Cookies so delightful. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up and preventing them from getting soggy on the bottom.
Customizing Your Goop Cookie Experience (Variations)
While the original Goop Cookie recipe is a masterpiece in its own right, don’t hesitate to experiment with minor tweaks to suit your preferences. If you’re not a fan of pecans, walnuts or even almonds can be used, though they will subtly alter the flavor profile. For a different fruit twist, dried cranberries (especially tart ones) could work, or a mix of dried berries. On the chocolate front, if dark chocolate is too intense, a semi-sweet chocolate chip can be used, or even a mix of dark and milk chocolate for a richer, sweeter cookie. White chocolate chips could also provide a creamy contrast, especially with the tart cherries. Just remember that changing the add-ins might shift the balance of flavors, so consider how new ingredients will interact. These cookies are versatile enough to handle slight variations while still retaining their charm.
Storage and Enjoyment
Proper storage ensures your Goop Cookies remain fresh and delicious for days. Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, or for a warm, fresh-baked experience, gently reheat them in a microwave for a few seconds or in a low oven. These cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family, gifting during holidays, or simply enjoying as a well-deserved treat with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Chef Kate’s Goop Blondies
- Gluten-Free White Chocolate Cherry
- White Chocolate Cherry Almond Cookies
- White Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cherry Bread
Recipe
Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies from GOOP
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups unbleached (weigh or use a light hand)** (280 grams)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (114 grams)
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, VERY firmly packed (130 grams)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar (130 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 ounces dark chocolate coarsely chopped (be sure to use a high-quality chocolate with more than 60% cacao)
- 1 cup dried cherries about 6 ounces, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup pecans coarsely chopped (optional)
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375º F.
-
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
-
Beat the butter and both sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
-
Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until incorporated. Beat in vanilla.
-
On low speed or by hand, stir in the flour mixture.
-
Fold in chocolate, cherries and pecans. Scoop by heaping tablespoonful onto 2 cookie sheets
-
Bake for about 12 minutes, rotating after 6 min. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool and repeat process with remaining dough.
Notes
We hope you enjoy these unique and flavorful Goop Cookies as much as we do. Happy baking!