Honey Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Spring is in the air, graduate school has wrapped up for the spring semester, and the wind carries the feeling of renewal. The next two weeks will be filled with more rest and leisure than I have had in the last four months combined—a welcome break to stretch my limbs and a chance to play around in the kitchen. Even though I have a summer of classes before me (and a graduation date looming on the horizon), the job hunt has already begun.

Reality can never quite escape me completely.

Each job application represents a new road, an unknown path, a concrete possibility in a world filled with dreams. Each application is a window into a potential future, a peak at what my life might become. Even though the process can be arduous, each time I hit the submit button, I take a deep breath as a bright future flashes before me. The moment is brief, but exhilarating. I take a second breath to calm myself down and remind myself not to get my hopes too high. While full of hope and opportunity, job applications can also bring about feelings of rejection and sorrow.

The trick is to keep your head held high, your feet facing forward, and to replace lost dreams with new possibilities. To add new roads to the map of life.

My job search has led me down interesting paths, as I send off applications to other states and cities I have never been. It feels a bit like fishing; I have cast my line and now I must hope the fish are biting. As I anxiously awaited replies (or a lack thereof) this weekend, I made a batch of cookies to calm my nerves. Baking has a way of bringing peace into my life, as I mix ingredients by hand and move slowly around the kitchen to make the moment last longer.

While these Honey Chocolate Chunk Cookies will not make time pass faster, they bring about a sweetness that makes the wait much more bearable.

Honey Chocolate Chunk Cookies have a coveted soft-baked texture that lasts for days. A classic chocolate chunk cookie batter has a few added tablespoons of honey, which lend a soft flavor and chewy nature to the cookies. The addition of whole wheat flour gives the cookies a nutty undertone. Fresh from the oven, warm with melted chocolate, these cookies are a sweet fantasy.

One Year Ago: Tiramisu Cake and Peanut Butter Cornmeal Cookies
Two Years Ago: Vanilla Pear Muffins and Chocolate Filled Buns

Honey Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Yields about 3 dozen cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick or 113 grams) butter
1 cup (195 grams) dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cups (125 grams) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (90 grams) whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces (170 grams) chocolate, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir in the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold in the chocolate chunks. Refrigerate the cookie dough for 15-20 minutes, or until chilled. Do not skip this step. The cookies will spread out too much if the dough is warm or room temperature.

Drop cookies by the tablespoon onto a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow the cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for a few minutes to firm up before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Comments

[Belinda @themoonblushbaker]

I can relate to your experience with job application, oh the waiting and decline can bring a girl down but I always remember some one will hire you if you have passion. such a wonderfully sweeten cookie, i would love to add a couple grind of lavender to give herb back tone.

[Kierstan]

The cookies look delicious - and your photos, too!

Good luck with the job hunt. It is an exciting, nerve racking time - enjoy it!

[Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar]

These look absolutely perfect! Sweetened with honey?? Yes, please!!

[Hollee]

In maybe the quickest turnaround time yet on one of your recipes, I have already made these and brought them in to school. They're so good and so sweet! I'd caution against underbaking unless you like your cookies very gooey (thanks to the honey!)

[Todd Wagner]

I love your use of big chocolate chunks in these cookies, they look amazing. I can imagine how the honey and whole wheat flower would give them deep flavor and a nice texture. Thanks for sharing your recipe, good luck with the job search!

[Becca from Cookie Jar Treats]

Good luck with all the job stuff. I'm trying to get a job for the summer, but so far no luck :/

These cookies look so beautiful and the addition of honey sounds amazing!

[Janet]

I just found a job after being unemployed for 6 months. It is tough but hang in there. I found it is a good time to reflect on the waste and the real needs f my life. I was so suprised to see how wasteful I was in the past. I start my new job at a much lessor pay but a good attitude and new budget. I am excited to start a new chapter. God luck to you

[Kiran @ KiranTarun.com]

It's tough times out there, so believe in yourself that when the right time and opportunity comes, it'll be awesome!

I want a few of this delectables to go, please? :D

[madscar]

Iiii this looks amazing! I love it thanks :)

[Leigh]

Good luck with the job hunt! These cookies sound lovely.

[Sarah Cayless]

I love chewy cookies so I baked these up last night, but they came out very flat. They rose while baking and then sank. I had cooled the dough for about 40 minutes in the fridge. Do you know why this may have happened? They almost seemed like they needed more flour or less butter. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much!!

[Vickie]

mmm, these look & sound awesome!

[shelly (cookies and cups)]

These are outrageously pretty! Love the addition of honey, definitely gonna try that!

[Rachel @ Baked by Rachel]

Those giant chocolate chunks are calling my name! Holy moly!

[Hannah @ All-Purpose and Semi-Sweet]

I can totally relate about the ups and downs about job searching...but I love how your optimism shines through. Any company would be lucky to have you...what field are you interested in?

[Rachel]

Just made these cookies - They're AMAZING! The addition of honey makes them chewier than other cookies which I absolutely love. These rank very highly in my top cookie recipes x

[Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen]

These look so delicious, I love the idea of adding honey to chocolate chip cookies! Wishing you loads of luck with the job hunt!

[Emma]

I also am very calmed by whipping up a recipe in the kitchen. Like you I really like to savour the moment.
These cookies look like they would complement the tea I'm having at the moment very well...great recipe!

[Francesca]

Oh looking for a job is a total bummer, but you have to stay positive and know that for every closed door, theres an open one that you never would have thought of. Plus your blog is a big living resume! And if your success here is any indication, you're off to do great things :D

[Mary]

All I can say is WOW... What a fabulous recipe. I cannot wait to try it. Your pics are also amazing. Thank you for sharing. Happy Spring!

[Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today]

Lewis Carrol is right. I'd take this cookies on a way.

[Surina]

These cookies look amazing! Now, I'm out of whole wheat flour at the mo & also an active job seeker, so I wonder if there is a way to make them without? I cannot remember if the flours can be subbed straight across or if there's a ratio to follow. Anyway, thanks for the recipe!

[Kristin Rosenau]

Surina-- You can absolutely sub all-purpose flour for whole wheat for any recipe on this website. The ratio is 1 to 1 so there is no math to do!

[Kris]

These look soooo tempting! Was wondering if you have a vegan equivalent??

[Kristin Rosenau]

Kris-- Unfortunately, these cookies wouldn't be the best to make vegan because of the honey base. For vegan chocolate chunk cookies, I'd suggest this recipe: http://www.pastryaffair.com/blog/vegan-chocolate-chunk-cookies.html. I really enjoyed them!

[Isobel]

What beautiful writing, photos and recipe. These look amazing!

[Leigh]

These cookies are great!

[Kris]

Thanks so much for the reply, I've pinned the vegan recipe to a board on my Pinterest page and I will definitely give them a try as soon as I'm done with my exams, can't wait!

[Nat]

These sound amazing, I can't wait to try them, but what kind of chocolate chucks did u use, milk or dark chocolate?
Thanks
Nat

[Kristin Rosenau]

Nat-- I used semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Really though, you could use whichever suit your tastes. I'm a dark chocolate girl at heart, but a few close family members are bent on milk chocolate. Use what will make you the happiest!

[andrea]

I tried these cookies and they were amazong. the combination with honey is so good.
the only problem I had was, that they turned out really flat. Is there something special you did that yours are not so flat?
greetings from switzerland, andrea

[ARH]

Can I use light brown sugar instead?

[Kristin Rosenau]

ARH-- Absolutely!

[puja sharma]

hello...just saw ur recipe...its fantastic...want to make it soon...but can u pls tell me
do i have to grease the baking sheet before baking ?
r these chocolates chunks normal cooking chocolate bars cut into small pieces ?
u said to chill the cookies...do i have to wrapped it in cling film n than chill ?
plsss help....thank u... :-)

[Kristin Rosenau]

puja sharma-- You do not have to grease the baking sheet beforehand. Yup, just bars cut into small pieces. And yes, that's exactly how to chill it.

[Rachel]

Your recipes and words are always such a delight. This one blew me away! I made it on a whim right before a roadtrip, and the cookies stayed good for a solid week afterward. They received dozens of compliments, even from people who don't usually go near whole wheat flour or natural sugars. Thank you so much!

[Mary]

What a fabulous recipe! Amazing pictures and ingredients. They turned out great. TY