NYT Gochujang Caramel Cookies Recipe

When my school daughter shared a New York Occasions submit about gochujang cookies, I used to be intrigued. The thought of utilizing gochujang, a Korean chili paste, in cookies or any candy dessert had by no means crossed my thoughts.

Nevertheless, it made me suppose: if bacon is usually a donut topping or reworked into jam, why not experiment with gochujang in cookies?

Eric Kim’s Gochujang Caramel Cookies

These gochujang caramel cookies, launched final yr by Eric Kim, a meals columnist for the New York Occasions, initially sparked curiosity. However, very similar to many others, I used to be pleasantly shocked by their style after making an attempt them.

They boast a pleasant texture, crispy on the surface and chewy on the within, paying homage to basic snickerdoodle cookies. The cookies characteristic a delicate trace of caramelized gochujang, including a slight spicy notice that cuts by way of the sweetness, balancing the flavors with out being overwhelming.

Even my husband, who’s a self-proclaimed cookie purist, was impressed. He loved them a lot that he instructed we make them for the Christmas cookie change occasion. Maybe we are going to!

I’m including my very own contact to Eric Kim’s cookie recipe, with a barely totally different method to creating the dough. I additionally use an electrical hand mixer as a substitute of blending by hand, to make the method simpler.

Korean Gochujang Paste

Gochujang is an important Korean condiment, constructed from crimson chili peppers, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. This fermented Korean crimson chili paste is spicy, barely candy, and stuffed with umami taste, making it an important match for this distinctive gochujang sugar cookies recipe.

In Korean delicacies, gochujang is usually used so as to add heat and sophisticated taste. It’s a fundamental ingredient in ‘tteokbokki’, a dish with spicy, candy rice truffles, and in ‘bibimbap‘, a combined rice dish with greens and meat. Past these, it enhances stews, marinades, and sauces with its distinct Korean taste.

With the rising pattern of exploring various cuisines at house, discovering gochujang has change into extra handy. It’s sometimes obtainable within the Asian part of your native supermarkets, Korean or Asian grocery shops, or by way of on-line retailers.

For individuals who are inquisitive about making their very own gochujang at house, I’ve included a easy, fast recipe that exhibits you how one can make gochujang in simply 10 minutes. And take a look at my different submit for extra thrilling recipes utilizing gochujang.

Attempt my Korean Fireplace Hen recipe, often known as Cheese Buldak, when you’re enthusiastic about exploring the usage of gochujang. It’s a preferred Korean fusion dish that you simply’ll love when you can deal with some warmth.

Components You’ll want

This recipe combines on a regular basis pantry objects with the distinctive addition of Korean chili paste. Right here’s a breakdown of how every ingredient:

Butter: Gives richness and a tender texture. It additionally helps in creating a young crumb within the cookies.
Gochujang (Korean chili paste): The star ingredient! It provides a delicate warmth and depth, complementing the sweetness of the sugars.

Sugars (each white and brown): White sugar provides sweetness and helps in reaching a crisp texture, whereas brown sugar imparts moisture and a slight molasses taste.

Egg: Acts as a binder, giving construction to the cookies and contributing to their chewy texture.
All-purpose flour: The bottom of the cookie dough, it supplies construction and ensures the cookies maintain their form.

Baking soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and change into fluffy.

Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.

Cinnamon: Provides a heat, spicy notice that pairs fantastically with the gochujang.

Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with its candy, fragrant essence.

The way to Make Gochujang Caramel Cookies

Put together the Gochujang Caramel Paste:

• Combine 1 tablespoon of butter with brown sugar and gochujang to make a paste. Put aside.

Make the Cookie Dough:

• Beat the remainder of the butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla till creamy.
• In one other bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add this to the creamy combination. Stir effectively.
• Let the dough chill within the fridge for 10-Quarter-hour.

Marbling look with Gochujang Caramel Paste

• Take the dough out of the fridge. Add the gochujang caramel paste in small quantities.
• Gently combine to create a marbled look. Don’t overdo it – you need to see the caramel swirls.

Bake the Cookies:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Get two baking sheets prepared with parchment paper or silicone mats.
• Use a giant cookie scoop (3 tablespoons) to kind 12 cookies. Place 6 on every sheet, spaced aside. (If utilizing a smaller scoop, you can also make 24 cookies.)
• Bake for 11-13 minutes till they appear cracked on high and are golden brown on the edges. Midway by way of, swap the sheets within the oven.
• Allow them to cool a bit on the sheets, then transfer them to a cooling rack.

Storing the Cookies

Retailer the cooled cookies in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as three days. Nevertheless, it can disappear quickl