Mock Batches (Soft Batch Cookie Copy Cat)

Make and bake the cookies:Preheat the oven to 350° and have two parchment lined cookie sheets at the ready.Use a sieve to sift together the flour, cornstarch, and powdered milk. Set aside.In a medium bowl melt the milk chocolate, either in a microwave or over a water bath, and stir until it has cooled to body temperature. It's important the chocolate is not hot before proceeding to the next step. Once the chocolate has cooled, use a rubber spatula to stir in the oil, corn syrup, brown sugar, baking soda, egg yolk and vanilla extract. If you wish to use dye for a Soft Batch color match, use a toothpick to add just a little to the dough & stir it in with the spatula. Stir in the dry ingredients all at once with a spatula, fold in the mini-chips last (reserving 24 chips for garnish.)

Shape and bake the cookies:Use a #60 ice cream scoop to divide the dough into about 24 equal portions. If you don't have a scoop, you can use a plain spoon—just take care, Soft Batch cookies are really quite small. If you'd like especially authentic cookies, roll each portion of dough between your hands and into a perfect sphere. The dough is soft, so its shape will relax slightly after you place it on the cookie sheet.

Place 12 on each cookie sheet, spaced evenly.

Garnish each with one mini chip, placed somewhere off center.

Bake for approximately 6 minutes or until the dough has puffed but not fully set. You may need to experiment to find the perfect time, but the important part is to take them out of the oven when the edges appear fully baked, but the center still seems puffed and damp. Do not over bake.

Aging the cookies: Cool the cookies directly on the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container while still slightly warm.

Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between each layer, as the cookies will readily fuse together if touching. Close the lid of the container and age the cookies for at least 24 hours.