When I went to New York City last year, we tried the cookies from Momofuku’s Milk Bar, which I really enjoyed–especially the corn cookies. These giant cookies are chewy, sweet, with just a subtle corn flavor. A few years ago I also made their famous Compost Cookies, but the corn cookies are definitely my favorite.
I love anything corn (cornflakes, creamed corn, cornbread, etc), so these really spoke to me. I’ve been wanting to make them for a long time, but never got around to it until now. Most of Christina Tosi’s recipes served at the Milk Bar are available on their website and their cookbook, and this is one of the easier ones, though it does need some preparation ahead of time.
For instance, you will need to refrigerate the dough for at least one hour otherwise, the cookies just don’t turn out right.
I originally had planned to make these for a dinner party, but then realized halfway through that I needed to refrigerate the dough, which I didn’t plan enough time for. Don’t you hate it when you don’t read instructions all the way through? You’d think I’d learn from my mistakes…
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought these might also make a great alternative for the traditional corn flavored recipes usually served, like corn bread.
Special ingredients you will need:
freeze-dried corn powder: I purchased mine from the store (also available on their website). You can also buy freeze-dried corn from Whole Foods or Amazon* and then turn it into powder
corn flour: Not to be confused with cornmeal. I purchased Bob Mill’s corn flour from Whole Foods. It’s also on Amazon*.
Below is the recipe with some additional notes based on my experience.
Momofuku Milk Bar's Corn Cookies
Ingredients
- 225 g butter at room temperature OR 16 tablespoons (2 sticks)
- 300 g sugar OR 1 1/2 cups
- 1 egg
- 225 g flour OR 1 1/3 cups
- 45 g corn flour OR 1/4 cup
- 65 g freeze-dried corn powder OR 2/3 cup
- 3 g baking powder OR 3/4 teaspoon
- 1.5 g baking soda OR 1/4 teaspoon
- 6 g kosher salt OR 1 1/2 teaspoons
Instructions
- Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and cream together on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the egg, and beat for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour, corn flour, corn powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until the dough comes together, no longer than 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Using a 2 3/4-ounce ice cream scoop (or a 1/3-cup measure), portion out the dough onto a parchment-lined sheet pan. (I weighed 2 3/4 oz on my scale and was able to get exactly 10 cookies) Pat the tops of the cookie dough domes flat. Wrap the sheet pan tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 1 week. Do not bake your cookies from room temperature--they will not bake properly. (I tried a small batch after 40 minutes and they did not work. The rest I made after refrigerating the dough 24 hours)
- Heat the oven to 350°F.
- Arrange the chilled dough a minimum of 4 inches apart on parchment- or Silpat-lined sheet pans. (no more than 4 cookies per large baking sheet) Bake for about 18 minutes (on lower oven shelf). The cookies will puff, crackle, and spread. After 18 minutes, they should be faintly browned on the edges yet still bright yellow in the center; give them an extra minute if not. Cookies are done when crackling is all the way through including the center of the cookies.
- Cool the cookies completely on the sheet pans before transferring to a plate or to an airtight container for storage. At room temp, the cookies will keep fresh for 5 days; in the freezer, they will keep for 1 month.
Notes
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
I’ve seen recipes calling for corn flour for the crunch topping on pineapple buns. Do you think these cookies are reminiscent of the pineapple bun topping?
it is not like the pineapple bun topping.
the corn cooks at momfoks was def da best evs
now you can make your own!
I saw corn powder in Whole Foods and was wondering what the heck you do with it. Now I know – thanks for the recipe!
haha! I don’t know what else it is used for. Maybe flavoring macarons, etc. Also some people like eating freeze dried corn, like freeze dried berries. But yes, now you know!
I’m making two of the banana cream pie from the same book for Thanksgiving. I’ve found it can be made easily in one pot with an immersion blender to save tim and clean-up. Thankfully, it will rescue me from the industrial pumpkin pie that’s sure to be at dinner.
nice! I really want to make the crack pie, but it seems to time consuming. one of these days…
I tried every cookie on the menu while I was there. These hands down were my favorite. They’re great with a cup of black coffee for breakfast, but don’t tell anyone my secret. 🙂
ooh that sounds like a good idea. I love how ridiculously chewy they are. so good!
Those look fab! I love Momofuku Milk Bar’s cookbook, so many great ideas–and I’ve been meaning to make these cookies, but never got around to getting corn powder. Maybe soon 🙂
I love the desserts but so many of them take a lot of work or special ingredients. This one is pretty easy though once you get the corn powder.