The Best Big, Thick, Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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Baking the most incredible chocolate chip cookies has become my delightful obsession lately.

My kitchen constantly smells like warm, buttery goodness when I experiment with different techniques.

Thick, golden-edged cookies with gooey centers are pure magic for sweet lovers.

Crisp exterior and soft middle create the perfect textural balance everyone craves.

Professional bakers know small tweaks can dramatically improve classic recipes.

Chocolate chunks scattered generously make each bite feel like a decadent surprise.

The Ultimate! Big, Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies Unveiled

  • Savor Nutty Depth: Toasting walnuts transforms their flavor, adding a rich, complex taste that elevates these chocolate chip cookies beyond the ordinary.
  • Master Texture Magic: Chilling the dough and creating large cookie balls ensures thick, perfectly structured cookies with crispy edges and soft, gooey centers.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Easy to adjust baking time for personal preference, whether you love slightly gooey centers or more set cookies, making this recipe adaptable for every cookie lover.
  • Impress Without Stress: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean even novice bakers can create bakery-quality chocolate chip cookies that look and taste professionally made.

Ingredients for The Best Big, Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies

For the Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure and body of the cookie.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft texture.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures a tender and thick cookie with a soft interior.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
For the Sweeteners:
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes and sweetness to the cookies.
For the Binding and Flavor:
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds richness to the cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Offers a warm, classic flavor to the cookie base.
For the Mix-Ins:
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds rich chocolate pockets throughout the cookie.
  • Walnuts: Introduces a nutty crunch and depth of flavor after toasting.
For the Preparation:
  • Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and carries the cookie's flavor.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cookie removal.

How to Bake The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Nutty Base

Toast walnuts in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet and let them cool completely.

Toasting releases their deep, rich flavor and adds extra crunch to the cookies.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a small bowl and combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Cornstarch

Whisk these ingredients together until perfectly blended and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together:
  • Softened butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Beat these ingredients on low speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Gently fold in the dry ingredient mixture until just combined.

Step 4: Fold in Delicious Extras

Carefully stir in the cooled toasted walnuts and chocolate chips. Make sure the walnuts have completely cooled to prevent melting the chocolate.

Step 5: Chill and Develop Flavor

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This crucial step helps the cookies maintain their thick, luscious shape and allows flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Masterpieces

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out 6 generously sized dough balls, spacing them 2 inches apart.

For extra chocolate goodness, press additional chocolate chips on top of each cookie.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven preheated to 350°F.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. For gooey centers, aim for the shorter end of the time range.

The edges should be set, and the centers should look just barely done.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Allow cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet.

Transfer to a wire rack if desired. Serve warm with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate cookie experience.

Pro Tips for Perfectly Thick and Chewy Cookies

  • Toast walnuts beforehand to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and create a deeper taste profile in your chocolate chip cookies.
  • Chill the cookie dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain thick, perfectly shaped cookies during baking.
  • Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother mixing and better cookie texture that ensures even distribution of ingredients.
  • Press extra chocolate chips on top of cookie dough balls before baking to create a more visually appealing and chocolatey finish.
  • shorter time for gooey centers, longer time for crispier edges, keeping an eye on the cookie's appearance.

Creative Variations on Big, Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same rich texture and flavor.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based alternative that's equally delicious.
  • Nutty Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies: Substitute walnuts with sliced almonds and add almond extract for a different nutty profile that enhances the overall cookie experience.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of brown and granulated sugars, reducing total sugar content while keeping the cookie's satisfying sweetness.

Pairing Suggestions for Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Savor Smooth Milk Pairing: Rich, cold whole milk perfectly complements the warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the buttery chocolate flavors.
  • Brew Bold Coffee Match: Strong, freshly brewed dark roast coffee creates a robust contrast with the sweet cookies, bringing out the deep nutty undertones from the toasted walnuts.
  • Elevate with Vanilla Bourbon: Smooth vanilla bourbon provides a sophisticated adult twist, its caramel and vanilla notes harmonizing beautifully with the chocolate and walnut elements in the cookies.
  • Indulge with Salted Caramel Gelato: Creamy, cold salted caramel gelato offers a luxurious accompaniment, balancing the warm cookies with a cool, silky texture and complementary sweet-salty profile.

Storing The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Correctly

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, separating layers with paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to cooking time.
  • Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container between wax paper layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

FAQs

  • Why do I need to toast the walnuts?

Toasting walnuts enhances their natural flavor by releasing oils and creating a deeper, nuttier taste. It adds complexity and richness to the cookie’s overall flavor profile.

  • What does cornstarch do in the cookie recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender texture by interfering with gluten formation. It also helps the cookies stay thick and prevents them from spreading too much during baking.

  • Why should I chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough allows the butter to solidify and the flour to absorb moisture, which prevents cookies from spreading too thin. It helps maintain the thick, chunky shape and improves the overall texture of the cookies.

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The Best Big, Thick, Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

The Best! Big, Thick, Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Massive chocolate chip cookies promise pure indulgence with rich, gooey centers and crispy edges. Bakers will discover bakery-style perfection through simple ingredients and expert techniques that deliver ultimate cookie satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix-ins:

  • 2 cups (340 grams) chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (100 grams) chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Activate nutty essence by toasting walnuts in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes. Allow nuts to cool completely while preparing subsequent components.
  2. Craft dry mixture by blending flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch in a separate vessel. Reserve for later integration.
  3. Create creamy base by whipping butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and aerated using low-speed mixing technique.
  4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into creamy mixture, ensuring minimal stirring to maintain delicate texture.
  5. Gently incorporate cooled toasted walnuts and chocolate chips, distributing evenly throughout dough without overmixing.
  6. Refrigerate dough for minimum 60 minutes, enabling ingredients to meld and helping cookies maintain robust structure during baking.
  7. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper. Construct substantial cookie portions, approximately 6 generously sized spheres, strategically positioned with 2-inch intervals.
  8. Optional enhancement: Press additional chocolate chips onto cookie surfaces for visual appeal and concentrated chocolate zones.
  9. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, monitoring carefully. Seek golden-edged cookies with centers transitioning from wet to set appearance.
  10. Remove from oven, allowing slight cooling period. Serve warmly, potentially accompanied by classic milk pairing for ultimate indulgence.

Notes

  • Enhance nut flavor by toasting walnuts, which releases deeper, richer nutty notes and adds crunch to the cookie texture.
  • Refrigerate dough for minimum one hour to prevent cookie spread, ensuring thick, bakery-style cookies with perfect shape and dense consistency.
  • Experiment with chocolate chip variations like dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate to customize flavor profile and suit personal preferences.
  • Adapt recipe for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend, using vegan butter alternatives, or replacing egg with flax egg for different nutritional requirements.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-table cooking, Seasonal recipe creation, Culinary storytelling, Food photography and styling​

Education

The Chef’s Academy (Indianapolis, IN)

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on sustainable cooking practices, regional American cuisine, and recipe development.​

Ethan didn’t just fall in love with food, he grew into it, surrounded by fields, farmers’ markets, and family meals that told a story.
After sharpening his skills at The Chef’s Academy, he took his passion straight into the farm-to-table movement, working side-by-side with local growers and seasonal flavors.
He believes every recipe should feel like a walk through a summer market: colorful, fresh, and full of possibility.
Outside the kitchen, Ethan’s idea of a perfect day is hiking mountain trails, digging into heirloom vegetables, and hosting casual dinners where seconds are always encouraged.

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