Compost Cookie from Milk Bar features a unique blend of chocolate chips, oats, pretzels, butterscotch, and coffee grounds, baked into a thick, chewy cookie that delivers a perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors.
Equipments
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Wire cooling rack
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground coffee
- 2 cups potato chips
- 1 cup mini pretzels
Your choice of ingredients like unsalted butter and light brown sugar significantly impacts the flavor and texture of the Compost Cookie from Milk Bar. Mini chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and the inclusion of ground coffee create the distinctive sweet and slightly bitter notes that define this cookie. Using potato chips and mini pretzels adds the essential salty crunch, giving the treat its unique balance of flavors. Precise measurements and fresh ingredients ensure the best chewy and thick cookie consistency. You can recreate the Compost Cookie from Milk Bar at home by carefully replicating these specific ingredient proportions for a copycat version that matches the original's complex taste profile.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and corn syrup with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until well incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, oats, and ground coffee.
- Carefully fold in potato chips and mini pretzels, trying not to crush them too much.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Gently flatten each mound of dough slightly.
- Chill the assembled cookies on the baking sheets in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and centers look set but slightly underdone.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Substitution
The Compost Cookie from Milk Bar copycat recipe combines a diverse mix of ingredients like chocolate chips, oats, pretzels, butterscotch, and coffee grounds to mimic the original's signature flavor profile. If you don't have butterscotch chips, substitute with white chocolate chips or caramel bits to maintain sweetness and texture. In absence of potato chips, crushed salted corn chips or crispy rice cereal can replicate the salty crunch. Ground coffee can be replaced with instant espresso powder for a stronger coffee flavor without altering texture. When mixing, avoid overworking the dough to keep the cookies thick and chewy, ensuring your final product matches the original's perfect balance.
Tips
Make sure to chill the cookie dough on the baking sheets for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and preserve the cookie's thick, chewy texture. When folding in the potato chips and pretzels, do so gently to keep their crunch intact, enhancing the cookie's signature texture contrast. Use parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, while spacing the cookies a few inches apart to allow proper expansion. Your cookies are perfectly done when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone, locking in softness as they cool.
Nutritions
Compost Cookies from Milk Bar provide a rich source of calories, primarily from butter and sugars, supplying energy through a balanced mix of fats and carbohydrates. The inclusion of oats and mini pretzels adds dietary fiber and sodium, which influence digestion and flavor profile. Chocolate and butterscotch chips contribute antioxidants and small amounts of minerals like iron and magnesium. Your treat's caffeine intake is subtly elevated by the ground coffee, offering a mild stimulant effect.
Storage
Store your Compost Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their chewy texture and preserve the balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors. If you want to keep them fresh longer, place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. For extended storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to three months, thawing at room temperature before enjoying.
Variation or Alternatives
For a twist on the Compost Cookie, you can substitute ground espresso powder for the ground coffee to intensify the flavor without adding bitterness. Swap potato chips for crushed tortilla chips or sea salt kettle chips to introduce a different type of crunch and saltiness. Replace mini pretzels with chopped salted almonds or pecans for a nutty variation that complements the sweet and salty profile. Refrigerate your cookie dough overnight instead of just 30 minutes to enhance flavor development and create a chewier texture.
Allergies
Compost Cookies from Milk Bar contain common allergens such as eggs, butter (milk), and wheat from the all-purpose flour, which may trigger reactions in individuals with egg, dairy, or gluten sensitivities. The inclusion of oats could also pose a risk to those with oat allergies or gluten intolerance if the oats are not certified gluten-free. Your awareness of these ingredients is essential to avoid any allergic reactions while enjoying this treat.
Why this recipe?
Milk Bar's Compost Cookie menu is beloved for its unique blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy ingredients, featuring unexpected elements like pretzels, potato chips, and coffee grounds. These complex flavors and textures create a distinct taste experience that sets it apart from traditional cookies. Making a copycat version allows you to enjoy the innovative and addictively tasty treat at home while experimenting with its signature ingredient combinations. Your homemade Compost Cookies can capture Milk Bar's iconic flavor profile without needing to visit the restaurant in person.