Soft, chewy, irresistible chocolate chip cookies, with a surprise gooey center!
How do you make homemade chocolate chip cookies even better than they already are?
Some might say it can’t be done, but adding one secret ingredient to the center of each chocolate chip cookie before baking will turn ordinary chocolate chip cookies into something extraordinary.
Just look at the incredible gooey centers!
You wish you had some right now, don’t you?
These cookies can be all yours in under an hour – all you need is a few basic chocolate chip cookie ingredients and that one special ingredient for the centers:
The secret is that, right before baking, you open up each cookie dough ball and press a ball of Odense Almond Paste into the center before rolling it back up and baking in the oven. The result is that they will look like your average chocolate chip cookies on the outside… but take one bite, and you are greeted with a surprise gooey almond filling that compliments the melty chocolate and soft cookie so well that these might just become your newest favorite chocolate chip cookies!
Using actual almond paste instead of just almond extract in recipes yields results with a wonderfully rich flavor and soft texture. In the past, I’d only ever used almond paste for traditional Italian Pignoli Cookies at Christmastime, but the paste is good for recipes all year round, not just during the holidays. Use it anywhere you want that classic marzipan or almond paste flavor– in cakes, bars, cookies, muffins, or mixed with melted chocolate and then re-hardened for the most amazing chocolates, reminiscent to those famous Ritter chocolate marzipan bars.
You can find Odense almond paste in the baking section of most mainstream supermarket chains nationwide, as well as at Whole Foods, gourmet markets, and even at Walmart or Target.
Gooey Middle Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
Gooey Middle Chocolate Chip Cookies
Print This Recipe
[mrp_rating_result show_count="false" show_rich_snippets="false"]
Ingredients
- 2 cups spelt, white, or oat flour
- 1 cup unrefined sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup milk of choice
- 1/4 cup veg or melted coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp pure almond extract (can be omitted)
- 1 package Odense Almond Paste (7oz)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 F. Combine first five ingredients in a mixing bowl, then stir in all remaining ingredients except almond paste to form a dough. Only if needed, add no more than 2 tbsp extra milk of choice – I needed just 1 tbsp extra. It will be dry at first, so keep stirring until a cookie-dough texture is reached. Roll into balls. Then roll the almond paste into balls as well—one ball per cookie. Cut cookie ball in half with a knife, smush a ball of almond paste in the middle, then roll the cookie ball back up. (Note: If your dough is too soft to roll for some reason, refrigerate or freeze until it is firm enough to roll into balls.) Place cookie balls on a greased baking tray, and press down if flatter cookies are desired. Bake 10 minutes – they will look underdone when they come out of the oven, which is what you want. Let them sit 10 minutes, during which time they firm up.
Almond Paste Giveaway Opportunity:
To be entered to win six boxes of almond paste—a retail value of $39.24—simply leave a comment below mentioning one way you might use the almond paste if you win, whether it be in muffins, candies, cakes, or even to make these chocolate chip cookies! Thank you to Odense for sponsoring this giveaway and post, and if you do try these gooey chocolate chip cookies, I hope you love them as much as I do!
Be sure to check back, as a new winner will be selected each week for the entire month of April.
Link Of The Day:
Sara says
Well, I’d make these cookies, of course! Chocolate chip and gooey – yes!
Tiffany says
Ooh, these cookies sound amazing. ? I’d love to win some almond paste to give them a try!
Sandra says
Almond paste is yummy and not too sweet. I would make an almond raisin brioche I’ve been waiting to bake. What s great breakfast bread! A cup of hot tea or coffee and some warm almond brioche…. mmmm!
Kathryn says
How interesting! I’ve never heard of almond paste, but would love to try it in these cookies or in something cherry flavored.
Michele A. Moore says
I usually purchase almond paste in a can. Oh so much nicer to have it in a packaged bar. Can’t wait to try this brand out.
Odense will surely be on my grocery list. Thank you for this kind offer.
Sophie says
I’d use almond paste for a lovely surprise middle in a pan of black bean brownies! Almonds are the best <3
Michele Moore says
I love the taste of almond…sure would like to win!
Sarah Flores says
What a wonderful combination, I would definitely like to use the almond paste to make these cookies. I want to treat my friends and family with this recipe. If you are in search of great food deals nearby don’t forget to check it on http://www.kojji.com which will be launched soon.
Judy says
I don’t have chocolate chips. Can you use chocolate bars cut up?
Jason Sanford says
Sure why not? 🙂
Hannah says
If I won almond paste I would definitely make these cookies and almond scones!! And I’m sure I could cone up with many other delicious uses ?
Valerie Jaske says
Almond paste in cookies? Count me in
Lisa in Las Vegas says
Awesome!! The first time I made these they were huge and I was only able to get 12 cookies. The baked cookie was more almond paste than cookie. So the second time, I cut the amount of Almond Paste in-half but still was only able to get 12 cookies. She’s so right that if you let the cookie dough get sticky, it’s practically impossible to use.
I found out about these cookies on Odense’s website. I followed their adjustments to the flour mix, and their lower sugar quantity.
Thanks Katie!!