The Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies

Secrets to the Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies!

You know that woman I talk about a lot?

The one that my world revolves around?

No, not Oprah. (Mom, forgive them.)

My mother.

Mames.

Mumma.

Mum.

Secrets to the Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies!

That woman.

Well, she’s turning…Sorry, if I could just—ooone sec–I just need to grab my megaphone. [Tap] Is this thing on? Testing-tes-testing. There we go. Ahem. “SHE’S TURNING 55 TODAY!”

To celebrate, I’ve baked her favorite chocolate chip cookies. Because she deserves the best and I’m ever the celebrator.

Secrets to the Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies!

So, Ma?

Happy Birthday, Beautiful.

I love you as deeply as I know how to feel.

Secrets to the Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies!

3.13.11 2 072

This is a warm, gooey, relentlessly chewy, brown sugar cookie with chocolate chips that break mid-bite and melt. They will taste as tender and unconditional as the love that went into baking them from scratch.

My mom has baked fabulous chocolate chip cookies for as long as I can remember. And while I tend to hesitate to call anything other than Leonardo DiCaprio perfect, they are just that. Over the years I’ve tried millions of recipes for this classic cookie- everything from Nestle to my Nana- and have come to believe that I’ve found chocolate chip nirvana in this recipe.

3.13.11 2 076

The secrets to the perfect, chewiest chocolate chip cookie:

  1. Melting the butter makes the dough taste utterly deep and rich, almost like toffee, and ensures a chewy texture.
  2. Using mostly brown sugar. Since brown sugar has molasses added to it, it is already much moister than white sugar and will not only lend that wetness to a perfectly tender cookie, but it will impart a more caramelized flavor.
  3. Making large cookies. If you bake little, teeny-tiny mounds, the cookie will not have enough space to differentiate between the crisped edges and the soft, gooey center. You need at least a 2-3″ diameter to fully delight in the texture of a truly chewy cookie.
  4. Baking at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. I’ve found that 350° allows the cookies to bake up slowly- making sure that they cook evenly and you don’t end up with an overly crisped edge and underbaked interior.
  5. The final secret: Letting the dough rest in the fridge for up to 48 hours before baking the cookies. This, my friends, makes all the difference in the world. This takes a chewy cookie to the chewiest cookie. The difference between better and best.

3.13.11 2 077

I’m having two for the birthday girl.

Secrets to the Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Print Recipe
2 from 1 vote

The Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a warm, gooey, relentlessly chewy, brown sugar cookie with chocolate chips that break mid-bite and melt. They will taste as tender and unconditional as the love that went into baking them from scratch.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
refrigerate2 days
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brown sugar cookies, chewiest chocolate chip cookies, chewy chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip cookie recipe
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 213.7kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/2 sticks, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips one 12 oz bag

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave for one minute. Let cool slightly (about 4-5 minutes).
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • Beat the melted butter and sugars until well combined. The butter should be completely absorbed by the sugar and the mixture should look uniform in gritty texture. This should take about 2 minutes.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla and beat for 1 full minute to incorporate.
  • Gradually beat in the flour mixture on low speed. Do not overbeat or you will end up with tough, bread-like cookies.
  • Mix in the chocolate chips. Scrape down the bowl and give it one final stir. Cover and refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 48 hours. The longer you let the dough rest in the refrigerator, the chewier and better tasting they’ll be. Even thirty minutes makes a marked difference. Trust me on this one.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. You do not need to use parchment, the cookies will not stick, but it does make for a quick and easy removal.
  • Roll the dough into 24 even sized balls (each roughly the size of a golf ball). Space evenly on a cookie sheet and flatten each of them slightly with your fingers. This will help them to evenly bake. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are shiny on top and just beginning to turn a golden brown. You can slightly press the center and it will feel slightly firm yet a little underbaked. Always always always err on the side of underbaking them, as you can always just let them sit on the cookie sheet out of the oven for a few minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool. Since the cookie sheet retains its heat for a short while after it comes out of the oven, it will continue to bake the cookies and set the centers.
  • Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

(adapted from Cooks Illustrated)

Nutrition

Calories: 213.7kcal | Protein: 2.1g | Fat: 10.5g | Cholesterol: 32.9mg | Fiber: 1.1g
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90 thoughts on “The Chewiest Chocolate Chip Cookies

  1. Frieda

    Happy Birthday to your Mum.
    Alles gute zum Geburtstag für deine Mama.
    Joyeux anniversaire à ta mère.
    Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je moeders verjaardag.
    I don’t know more languages than that ;)
    Anyway please wish here a great day from me. She did a great job raising you from what we know so far so she must be a wonderful person :)
    She is also the same age as my mom (who is just the best, too) so something about those mothers born 1956 must be amazing :)

    Reply
  2. Halley

    Happy Birthday Andie’s Mom! Hope it’s another wonderful year.

    I love those tips! I’ll have to try letting it sit for 48 hours.

    Have you tried browning butter? It’d add another dimension to the flavour. Sort of like caramel.

    Reply
  3. Johnny

    Well Happy Birthday Andie’s Mom!! I always thought that it was taboo to say a woman’s age! :) Well Andie’s Mom, My wife and I share something with you other than that wonderful daughter of yours!

    The cookies look great and are almost radically different from the toll house cookie recipe I grew up with so will have to try it and compare. They sure look gooeylishes!

    If the writing doesn’t pan out and the Starbucks gig doesn’t go well then you could always be a photographer! Those photos make me feel like I’m in your kitchen and I can smell that delicious chocolate!

    Have a great BLESSED day!!!

    Reply
  4. Nicole

    Happy Birthday to your mom!!! :) Oh, and my hubby just looked over my shoulder, saw the pic of the cookies, and said, “Can you make me those?” So I know what I’ll be cooking up this weekend!

    Reply
  5. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat

    These look beautiful! Happy Birthday to your mum! My mum is not a big baking fan and her idea of ‘baking cookies’ is sticking a store-bought one in the microwave and warming it up for a few seconds to make the kitchen smell nice!!

    Reply
  6. Melissa

    Happy Happy Birthday, Andie’s Mama!!!

    Brown sugar is the key to great chocolate chip cookies! I can’t wait to give this recipe a whirl. Thanks to your mom for having a birthday so you could share this with us. :)

    Reply
  7. Helena

    I love this line “I love you as deeply as I know how to feel.” You always write so beautifully :)

    Reply
  8. Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday

    I just made a KILLER chocolate chip and hazelnut cookie recipe (recipe here: http://gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthday/?p=3227)

    I made it for my husband to take on a school field trip and he apparently overheard the other teachers talking about the cookies and how they were the best cookies they’ve ever had. Best Compliment Ever

    This dough is a wetter dough. I use melted butter as well but I also use equal parts brown and white sugars and both baking powder and baking soda. Other than that, it’s a pretty similar recipe to yours.

    I agree with you about letting the dough rest in the fridge…it really does change the outcome of the final cookie.

    Reply
  9. Samantha @ Bikini Birthday

    I just made a KILLER chocolate chip and hazelnut cookie recipe (recipe here: http://gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthday/?p=3227)

    I made it for my husband to take on a school field trip and he apparently overheard the other teachers talking about the cookies and how they were the best cookies they’ve ever had. Best Compliment Ever

    This dough is a wetter dough. I use melted butter as well but I also use equal parts brown and white sugars and both baking powder and baking soda. Other than that, it’s a pretty similar recipe to yours.

    I agree with you about letting the dough rest in the fridge…it really does change the outcome of the final cookie

    Reply
  10. Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner

    Happy birthday to your mom!!

    And, YES! Finally someone understands that cookies need to be SOFT. I was looking for a chocolate cookie at the grocery store the other night (it may or may not have been 11pm) and I was poking the packages and none of them felt soft. My husband was like, what are you doing? I couldn’t find a soft one, so I had to do without. I will be making these asap!

    Reply
  11. Cindy

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your Mom!!!

    All I have to do is bake fresh chocolate chip cookies and all is well in my house.

    ahhhhh.

    I knew about the soft butter tip, and the cooking at low temp tip…but letting it sit for 48 hours I did not know. We always make them big…why would you not??

    OH and the brown sugar tip is a new one too.

    You may find me in my kitchen baking a batch of these in your Mom’s honor for us too!

    xo

    Reply
  12. Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)

    I Love, Love, Love chewy chocolate chip cookies. I never understood how people could like them crisp. And I love the idea of making them larger. I think you get the same amount of calories for eating one large cookie as you do for eating one small one! :)

    Reply
  13. Anna

    Despite my love for all sweets, nothing is better than the simplicity of an ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie. You’re mom is a woman after my own heart. Happy birthday to her!

    Reply
  14. hollie

    I make this same recipe. Although, I’ve never tried letting the dough sit for 48 hours. I am going to have to try it!
    But the problem is, now I’m craving cookies and don’t want to wait 2 days to get them!! :)

    Reply
  15. becky

    I use a very similar (possibly the exact same) recipe and I’ll second the suggestion of browning the butter. It makes them kind of glossy, chewy and caramel-ey.
    I have to make them, eat 2 and give them away. I cannot even pretend to control myself around these…

    Reply
  16. Gina

    Happy Birthday to your mom! I love your cookie tips. I once watched an Alton Brown episode on chocolate chip cookies nad it was fascinating! He talked through how different fats, sugars, etc affected the texture and chew of the cookie. I am thinking I may try a batch of these and send them to my mom for Mother’s Day!

    Reply
  17. Katie Photiadis

    Andrea, I have to say something important. And it may ruin our fictional, online friendship.

    But I’ll just spit it out. I am the best chocolate chip cookie baker. Ever. I mean, I’m not trying to drop the gauntlet or anything, but my cookies disappear like it’s no one’s business. And you want to know the secret? I take them out before they’re firm.

    I also use brown sugar, and super softened butter (I don’t microwave the butter). But I don’t refrigerate the dough. Hmmm…I will ponder that. And the next time I decide to risk having chocolate chip cookies in the house, I just…might…consider it ;)

    Wish your mom a happy birthday for me! 55 is a pretty awesome year =)

    Reply
  18. Kelly

    These look wonderful! I can not pass up cookies. Cake, browies, pie…eh…but cookies. YUM! I love how simple the ingredient list is. I am definitely going to be making these!!

    Reply
  19. Riss

    Mmm. Excuse me whilst I wipe the drool off my chin.

    I’ll make you a deal… A batch of the cookies you commented on from my blog for a batch of these lovelies! It’ll be like trading lunch goodies on the playground by the swings during 2nd grade recess!

    And I MUST wish a very, very Happy Birthday to your sweet mother. I know you would love to be there to celebrate with her in person.

    Reply
  20. Ally (oatsandspice)

    I love love love chewy cookies – this recipe looks especially delicious! I am definitely going to use some of your tips for making extra chewy cookies – I’d never heard of a few of them before… thanks for sharing :)

    Happy Wednesday chica! Have an amazing day!

    Reply
  21. Online Sunshine

    Oh, those sound so yummy! The best cookies I’ve had so far are baked by the store around the corner from me.
    I have to leave the cookie dough in the refrigerator for two days? Without eating it? I don’t know if that’s possible. :) But I’m willing to give it a try!

    Reply
  22. Caitlin

    So…chocolate cookies are in my top three dessert loves (brownies and ice cream being the other.) I have an entire Saturday evening off. I will be home alone. I have already given thought to a marathon of chick flicks. These would be the perfect companion. I hate you. I love you.

    Reply
  23. Maryellen

    Andrea,

    Thank you so much for the beautiful write up and thank you sincerely to all your readers for their wonderful birthday wishes. I am so grateful.

    Love always,
    Ma

    Reply
  24. Patricia

    Chocolate chip nirvana. I believe you!
    Your marinara sauce recipe and gooey 3-cheese lasagna took me to a higher level of ‘I love you, Mom’ and for that I am and ever will be grateful.
    Please tell your mom I said happy birthday all the way from Bangkok.

    Reply
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  26. Erin

    Best chocolate chip cookies ever! I have been looking and trying recipes forever and this is the one I am keeping, oh and the crab (tuna) rangoon was a hit too!!

    Reply
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  30. Tamara

    Hi, Stumbled upon your site the other night and saw your recipe for chewy chocolate chip cookies and had to try them. Followed the recipe exactly, even put them in the fridge for 24 hours. Unless there is something wrong with my oven, 350 is much too high for this recipe. They were crunchy on the bottom with the edges turning black. Did you mean 300? They still tasted really good, and the second batch I baked for only 9 minutes and they turned out really well. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  31. Lucy

    This looks amazing! I tried your Tuna Noodle Casserole last night and it was perfect for a rainy night to myself and my 80’s movies :) Now, the dough is in the fridge and I can’t wait!

    Reply
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  35. Kelly

    These are the best cookies! Just baked them tonight, and now I should be going to bed, but all I can think about is sneaking another cookie! They also pair perfectly with icecream. Thanks!

    Reply
  36. jeri

    thanks for sharing this recipe,have tried & baked them, they were delicious—-tastes like subway’s chocolate chips cookies…..=)

    Reply
  37. Arusa

    I’m going to try out this recipe now cause it looks delicious! And your mom and I share the same birthday! :)

    Reply
  38. kelly

    this is hands down my favorite choc chip cookie recipe, my only alteration is I use 1 cup cake flour for one of the 2 cups of flour. oh YUM!

    Reply
  39. Tabitha

    I just made a batch of these! Delicious!!! I was too impatient to let them sit in the fridge for long :) And I also didn’t have vanilla so I used syrup.

    Reply
  40. Megan

    Wow! I made these cookies, and they are the best cookies EVER! Everyone keeps asking for the recipe! And you’re right, putting it in the fridge really does make the difference! Thank you so much for putting this recipe up!

    Reply
  41. Carolyn

    Ok I have a few questions. I made the dough last night, and after I mixed all the flour in, the dough was SO thick and stiff! I could barely even mix the chocolate chips in, is that normal? Its in my fridge right now, and this morning I tried to steal a spoonful of dough to eat, and it is ROCK HARD! Am I supposed to chisel out the dough while its still hard & cold and roll it into the golf-ball sized balls? Or do I pull it out and let it “thaw” for a bit first to let it soften up? Thanks!

    Reply
  42. arlene

    I always refrigerate cookie dough for a few days before baking, but here is the newer trend. Please try this, it’s amazing. When removing dough from the fridge, wrap the dough around a Oreo cookie. Make sure the dough covers the Oreo completely. Then bake as usual. This will blow your mind especially when you don’t tell anyone what’s in it before they take their first bite. Bon appetit!

    Reply
  43. Shan

    Alright girlfriend, trusting you on this. The mix is in the frig for 30 and we’ll be trying them out tonite. I have been on the hunt for the ”perfect’ chocolate chip cookies for a long time.
    Found you on pinterest and look forward to checking around the rest of your blog.
    Blessings,
    The How to Guru

    Reply
  44. Christine

    Thank you, Andie! You’ve solved my chewy, chocolate chip cookie problem. The brown sugar tip was particularly helpful.

    So now you’ve got me wondering if I can improve the texture of my brownie recipe by using brown sugar instead of white. Hmm… I may have to give that a try!

    Reply
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    1. Grace

      by that I mean add the amount of carbs to the nutritional information section. haha.. that could have been read wrong :)

      Reply
  46. Roger Bedard Jr

    Alton Brown gave these exact same tips and the scientific breakdown as to why it all happens as it does. His overall recipe is slightly different and I naturally tweaked it a bit on my own as well, but the main two things for the chewier cookies is the melted butter and the refrigerated cookie dough prior to cooking. Good stuff!

    Reply
  47. Claudia

    Hi Andie, could you please be so kind to tell me how much does a butter stick weights in your country? it´s hard to measure accurately 12 spoons of butter and I don´t know the weight of a butter stick in the US. Thank you!

    Reply
  48. Rene

    Exactly the cookie I’ve tries years to make!!! I did ALL the wet ingredients together and blended well. Then added salt, baking soda, and a dash of cinnamon to the wet and blended a little more. Finally, I added the flour. Then the chocolate chips. The batter was a little loose. I immediately baked some. They are the best I’ve ever made. Thank you! I think melting the bitter makes all the difference. And try that dash of cinnamon!

    Reply
  49. Alexander

    The recipe doesn’t work I follow the exact steps and now there aren’t going to be any cookies for the party tomorrow

    Reply
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  52. SL

    2 stars
    I followed all the steps in this recipe, either the baking degree is too high or the bake time is too long! I did 15 min and they were rock hard and dry. “15-20 minutes” with 15 being the least time. I know you said or until golden but nobody knows when that is. My kiddo still ate them but this was disappointing.

    Reply

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