The smell of warm vanilla and melty sweetness hits you right in the faceand suddenly you’re eight, licking a wooden spoon in your grandma’s yellow kitchen. These chocolate chip cookies are having a moment (again). Pinterest boards? Full of them. TikTok? Oozing with gooey centers.
This version leans into what we all crave: those crispy edges, thick soft centers, and little puddles of chopped chocolate. Just butter, brown sugar, and a pantry you can probably raid right now. Like the familiar onesbut thicker, better. Full details in the blog!
I first tested these while elbow-deep in a chaotic Sunday bake-a-thon with my daughter. Flour everywhere, someone turned the mixer on too fast, and stillabsolute gold came out of that oven. I’ve tweaked it since. You’ll love the secret!
Discover the perfect blend of chewy and crispy with these chocolate chip cookies. Featuring chopped chocolate chip cookies and extra chewy chocolate chip cookies, this recipe brings a delicious twist suitable for any occasion. Enjoy a treat that’s both classic and uniquely satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
1 1/4 cup brown sugar light or dark
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 2 egg yolks room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chunks
Instructions
Warm your oven to 350°F.
Combine the all purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and whisk to blend.
Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes until it bubbles and browns slightly, then remove from heat and allow to cool to avoid heat.
In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar and granulated sugar, then stir in the browned butter just until integrated. Add the egg, egg yolks, and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
Stir in the milk chocolate chips and semi sweet chocolate chunks and let the dough rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop dough portions sized about 1/4 to 1/3 cup onto the sheet, spacing them out with six cookies per sheet.
Bake the cookies for roughly 10 minutes until their edges turn golden while the centers remain soft.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling and enjoy.
Notes
For crisp tops, broil 2–3 minutes at the end
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Method:Baked
Nutrition
Calories:300 kcal
Sugar:25g
Sodium:200mg
Fat:15g
Saturated Fat:8g
Unsaturated Fat:4g + 3g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:40g
Fiber:2g
Protein:4g
Cholesterol:60mg
Why You’ll Love These Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you have a soft spot for warm, melty cookies fresh out of the oven, then these are for you. These cookies embody everything you dream of in your favorite treatcrispy edges, thick centers, and puddles of rich chocolate. Requiring no mixer and no overnight chilling, they are beginner-friendly and perfect for spontaneous baking cravings.
The real magic? Browning the butter. It adds a nutty, caramel-like depth that makes these cookies stand out from other chocolate chip cookie recipes. Plus, the mix of milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chunks ensures every bite is bursting with delightful texture and flavor.
So, whether you’re baking them for a cozy family night or enjoying one (or a few!) with your coffee, these cookies deliver the perfect balance of chewy, gooey magic, every single time.
Key Ingredients That Make These Cookies Perfect
Let’s break down what makes these cookies so irresistible. No fancy extras here, just pantry staples and a few simple steps to elevate them.
Butter: Browning unsalted butter gives these cookies their nutty, rich flavor. Don’t skip this stepit’s worth the extra 5 minutes!
Brown Sugar: The base for that chewy texture and caramel-like sweetness. Light or dark both work beautifully.
Egg Yolks: Extra yolks mean extra chewiness. Trust me on this one.
Chocolate: A dreamy mix of milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chunks adds balance and pools of melty goodness in every bite.
Pro Tip: Use good-quality chocolate chunks for those gooey puddles. Chopped chocolate bars also work wonders here!
Step-by-Step Instructions
If the thought of browning butter makes you nervous, don’t worryI’ve got you covered. This recipe keeps it simple with clear, easy-to-follow steps.
Prep your dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl to ensure even distribution and no clumps.
Brown the butter: Heat unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir constantly until it’s golden brown and smells like heaven (takes about 5-6 minutes). Allow it to cool slightly; it shouldn’t be hot when mixed with other ingredients.
Combine sugars with butter: In a large bowl, stir the brown and white sugars into the cooled butter. Mix until just combined.
Add eggs and vanilla: Add the egg, yolks, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick, transforming before your eyes.
Bring it all together: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet with a spatula. Then stir in the chocolate chunks and chips. Let the dough rest for 15–20 minutesit thickens beautifully as it sits.
Scoop and bake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 1/4 to 1/3-cup sized dough balls, spacing them out (6 per sheet). Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. They will be golden at the edges and soft in the centerbe careful not to overbake!
Note: Let the cookies cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. The residual heat firms them up perfectly!
Pro Tips & Customizations
Want to make these the best thick gooey chocolate chip cookies of your life? Here are a few swaps and little tweaks to customize them for any mood.
For Extra Thickness: Chill the dough for 30 minutes if you want a thicker, bakery-style cookie.
Mix up the chocolate: Swap in dark chocolate or white chocolate chips for a different twist.
For thinner cookies: If you prefer a thinner, chewier cookie, reduce the flour by 2 tablespoons.
Nutty Bonus: Add 1/2 cup of chopped toasted nuts for a crunchy contrast to the gooey centers.
Pro Tip: Experiment with apple cider vinegar chocolate chip cookies by adding half a teaspoon of vinegarit amps up the chewiness!
How to Serve & Store
These cookies are pure magic warm from the oven, but they’re just as amazing the next day (if they last that long). Here’s how to keep them fresh:
Storage Method
Steps
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Add a piece of bread to keep them soft!
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Reheat for a few minutes in a 300°F oven.
Freeze Dough
Roll dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.
Serving Idea: These pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Warm them up just slightly for that fresh-from-the-oven feel!
Expert Says
Chocolate chip cookies achieve their classic texture through the balance of ingredients: butter adds richness and moisture, while the combination of brown and white sugar controls spread and chewiness. Proper chilling of dough helps prevent excessive spreading, ensuring cookies remain thick and tender during baking.
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The Journey to Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
After many attemptssome cookies burnt, others too flatI finally found the sweet spot for these chocolate chip cookies. It took lots of tasting and tweaking, but now they’re perfectly chewy with just the right balance of sweet and chocolatey. This recipe is the result of real kitchen lessons and a few laughs along the way.
FAQs (Chocolate Chip Cookies)
How do I make my cookies chewier?
For extra chewy cookies, use more brown sugar than white sugar, which adds moisture and softness. Incorporate an extra egg yolk to boost richness and chewiness, and avoid overbakingremove cookies when edges are set but centers are still soft. This recipe balances those perfectly for a tender, chewy bite.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. Allow the dough to chill overnight in the fridge to enhance flavors and texture. Chilling helps control spread during baking, resulting in thicker, more flavorful cookies. Just bring dough to room temperature slightly before baking if it feels too firm.
What type of chocolate works best?
Using chopped semi-sweet chocolate gives the best melt and texture for this dish. Chopped pieces melt unevenly, creating pockets of rich chocolate. While bittersweet or milk chocolate can be used, semi-sweet offers the sweetest balance that complements the dough without overpowering.
How can I prevent flat cookies?
Prevent flat cookies by chilling the dough and not over-mixing once flour is added. Also, avoid using too much butter or melted butter, which causes excess spreading. Use parchment paper or a silicone mat, and bake immediately after shaping for the best rise.
Can I substitute any ingredients?
Yes, you can swap all-purpose flour for bread flour to add chewiness, or use light brown sugar instead of dark for milder flavor. For a twist, add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to tenderize the dough, as seen in some versions. Just avoid ingredients that add too much moisture, which can affect texture.
Conclusion
These chocolate chip cookies come together in under 30 minutes, delivering the perfect combination of crispy edges and thick, gooey centers you’ve been dreaming about. The smell alone will draw everyone into the kitchen. You’ll love how each bite melts with rich, buttery, caramel notes and those luscious, melty chocolate puddlesit’s pure comfort straight from the oven to your heart.
For a little twist, try adding a pinch of apple cider vinegarit’s a secret trick that boosts chewiness without any fuss. Feel free to swap chocolate types or toss in some toasted nuts for crunch. Leftovers? Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft.
Now it’s your turn! Did these cookies remind you of a favorite childhood treat? Share your photos and stories; I love seeing your kitchen adventures. Pin this recipe, save it for a cozy night, and pass the joy along to someone you care about. Baking these is more than a recipeit’s a little bite of home.
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
