This recipe introduces the "Gohan Gooey Butter Cookies," a unique confection developed by pastry chef Ellary Collins at The Wayland Mill in Seattle, recognized as one of the top new restaurants of 2026. These cookies ingeniously marry the beloved qualities of classic Midwestern gooey butter cake with a distinct toasted rice essence, resulting in a treat that is delightfully crisp on the exterior and wonderfully chewy within. The key to their distinctive flavor and texture lies in a specially prepared puffed rice brittle. The recipe details the creation of this brittle, emphasizing the importance of precise sugar caramelization to a honey-like hue before incorporating baking soda and puffed rice cereal. The instructions also cover the preparation of the cookie dough, which features a blend of granulated and brown sugars, unsalted butter, eggs, vanilla, all-purpose flour, malted milk powder, baking powder, and cream of tartar, culminating in a dough that is then mixed with chopped white chocolate and the homemade rice brittle. The process concludes with chilling the dough and baking the cookies to a golden, cracked finish.
At The Wayland Mill, a culinary hotspot in Seattle, pastry chef Ellary Collins has mastered the art of transforming traditional dessert concepts into innovative delights. Her Gohan Gooey Butter Cookies are a testament to this, drawing inspiration from the comforting flavors of Midwestern gooey butter cake while infusing an unexpected twist: toasted rice. The name "Gohan," meaning "rice" in Japanese, was bestowed upon these cookies by chef Yasuaki, who found their taste remarkably reminiscent of the Midwestern classic from his childhood. This fusion highlights a thoughtful culinary approach, bridging different culinary traditions to create something both familiar and novel.
A crucial element in these cookies is the puffed rice brittle. Its preparation requires careful attention to detail, particularly when cooking the sugar mixture. The sugar and butter are gently heated with water until they achieve a deep honey color and emit a fragrant aroma. This stage is vital as it sets the foundation for the brittle's flavor. Once the desired color is reached, the mixture is swiftly combined with puffed rice cereal, followed by baking soda and kosher salt. The baking soda reacts to create a light, airy texture, and the mixture is then spread onto a lined baking sheet, sprinkled with flaky sea salt, and allowed to cool and harden before being chopped into small pieces. This brittle not only provides a unique toasted rice flavor but also contributes a delightful crunch to the final cookie.
The cookie dough itself is a rich blend of ingredients, beginning with the creaming of granulated and light brown sugars with room-temperature unsalted butter until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla bean paste or extract are then incorporated, enhancing the dough's richness and aroma. Dry ingredients, including all-purpose flour, malted milk powder, baking powder, salt, and cream of tartar, are gradually mixed in until a soft dough forms. Malted milk powder, readily available in most grocery stores, adds an extra layer of depth to the flavor profile. Finally, coarsely chopped white chocolate and the prepared rice brittle are folded into the dough, ensuring an even distribution of these delightful inclusions. The dough is then portioned, rolled into balls, and chilled for at least an hour, a step that is essential for developing flavor and texture before baking. The cookies are baked until golden and cracked, with firm edges and soft centers, promising a truly irresistible treat.
These cookies offer a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, combining the comforting richness of a classic American dessert with an intriguing hint of toasted rice. The meticulous process of crafting the puffed rice brittle ensures each bite delivers a satisfying crunch, perfectly complementing the soft, chewy cookie base. The addition of malted milk powder and white chocolate further elevates the flavor profile, making these cookies a memorable creation from The Wayland Mill's esteemed pastry chef.