Description
These bakery-style chocolate chunk cookies feature thick, gooey centers with crispy edges and a soft, cakey middle. Made with simple pantry staples and quality chocolate chunks, they deliver a cozy, indulgent treat perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, slightly softened but still cool
- 3/4 cup packed (150g) light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 oz (340g) chocolate chunks (mix of bittersweet and milk chocolate preferred)
- Optional: flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top before baking
Instructions
- Cream the softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes using a mixer on medium speed.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat until fully combined and shiny.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until no flour is visible. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chunks with a spatula, keeping the chunks intact.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour to control spreading and deepen flavor.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion dough onto sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Optionally press extra chocolate chunks on top.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are golden brown but centers look soft and slightly underbaked.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish setting.
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and to deepen flavor. Avoid overmixing after adding flour to keep cookies tender and chewy. Use chocolate chunks instead of chips for gooey pockets. Optionally sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a gourmet touch. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days; add a slice of bread to keep them soft. Dough can be frozen and baked from frozen with an additional 2-3 minutes baking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 17
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 27
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: chocolate chunk cookies, bakery-style cookies, thick cookies, gooey cookies, chocolate cookies, easy cookie recipe, homemade cookies