If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that hits every note of deliciousness, look no further than this Really Good Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies are pure comfort wrapped in golden-brown edges with impossibly soft and chewy centers that practically melt in your mouth. The subtle touch of browned butter adds a nutty depth, while a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top elevates the classic chocolate chip cookie to something truly special. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or craving a sweet solo treat, this recipe delivers that perfect balance we all crave—rich, gooey, and utterly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things delightfully simple, yet each ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting cookies with impeccable texture and flavor. From the nutty browned butter to the combination of brown and granulated sugars, every component is chosen to create that iconic chew and taste you won’t want to miss.
- 1 1/2 sticks salted butter: Browning the butter adds a warm, nutty flavor that deepens the cookie’s richness.
- 3/4 cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and chewiness due to its molasses content.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Helps with a subtle crisp edge contrast to the chewy center.
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk: Eggs provide structure, but the extra yolk increases richness and softness.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and complements the chocolate.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, giving it body and chewiness without heaviness.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps with the cookies’ rise and spread for the perfect shape.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups chopped chocolate chunks or chips: Melts beautifully to create pockets of gooey chocolate throughout.
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling: Adds a delightful crunch and flavor highlight on top of each cookie.
How to Make Really Good Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Browning the Butter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, swirling constantly. Watch carefully as it foams and turns golden brown—this takes about 2 to 4 minutes. Once it achieves a fragrant, nutty aroma, immediately transfer it to a bowl so it stops cooking. This step builds incredible depth in your cookies that you won’t get with plain melted butter.
Step 2: Mixing the Sugars and Eggs
Into the browned butter, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, the whole egg, the extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Whisking until smooth creates a silky base that results in a tender, chewy texture. This mixture is where the cookie’s warmth and richness starts to blossom.
Step 3: Combining Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding just until everything is combined. Overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so gently fold to keep them soft and chewy.
Step 4: Adding the Chocolate
Now it’s time for the magic—fold in the chopped chocolate chunks or chips. Using chunks can give you lovely pockets of molten chocolate, while chips melt evenly throughout. Either way, you’ll get generous little bites of chocolate in every mouthful.
Step 5: Shaping and Chilling the Dough
Roll the cookie dough into rounded tablespoon-sized balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet. Pop the tray into the freezer for about 10 minutes—this chilling step helps the cookies hold their shape and keeps them from spreading too thin in the oven.
Step 6: Baking to Perfection
Bake the cookies initially for 6 minutes, then rotate the pan. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter once or twice to help gently flatten the cookies, ensuring even thickness. Continue baking for another 2 to 3 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain just glossy and soft. Remove from the oven and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while the cookies are still warm. Let them cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack.
How to Serve Really Good Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt is perfect to finish these cookies, accentuating the sweet and buttery flavors while adding a delicate crunch. For a fun twist, try topping some with a drizzle of melted caramel or a few extra chocolate chips right after baking for an irresistible look and flavor boost.
Side Dishes
These chewy chocolate chip cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of rich coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. If you want to elevate your cookie time, consider serving alongside fresh fruit like strawberries or a warm cup of spiced chai tea for comforting balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching two cookies with a generous scoop of ice cream or frosting in between for a decadent treat. You can also crumble them over yogurt or whipped cream for added texture and sweetness. Presenting your cookies in a rustic tin with parchment paper makes for a charming gift or party favor too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Really Good Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to 5 days, thanks to the moisture-retaining brown sugar and that special browned butter touch.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or freeze baked cookies in airtight containers. Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months, simply thaw in the refrigerator or bake from frozen by adding a minute or two to the bake time. Baked cookies freeze beautifully, too—just let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To restore that fresh-baked warmth and softness, pop your cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This brings back the gooey texture and melty chocolate in a flash.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Absolutely! Just be sure to keep the 1/2 teaspoon of added salt in the recipe so the flavors stay balanced. Salt really helps brighten the sweetness and chocolate.
What type of chocolate is best for these cookies?
Chopped high-quality chocolate chunks work beautifully because they create pockets of melted chocolate. Semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolates offer a nice balance, but feel free to mix in milk or dark chocolate chips to suit your taste.
Why do I chill the cookie dough before baking?
Chilling the dough helps control spreading, leading to thicker cookies with that coveted chewy center. It also allows flavors to meld so each bite is deeper and more pronounced.
Can I substitute other flours or make this gluten-free?
All-purpose flour provides the ideal structure and chew. Gluten-free blends might work but results can vary. If you’d like to try gluten-free, choose a blend made for baking and watch the dough’s consistency.
How do I get the cookies to be chewy and not cakey or crispy?
The combination of browned butter, brown sugar, extra egg yolk, and minimal mixing all help create that perfect chewy texture. Baking them until the edges set but centers stay glossy is key to avoiding cakey or crispy cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie that feels homemade and utterly delicious, and this Really Good Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe nails it every time. From the rich browned butter to the melty chocolate chunks and finish of flaky sea salt, it’s a recipe that turns cookie cravings into sheer bliss. I can’t wait for you to make these and share the joy of fresh-baked goodness with your loved ones. Happy baking!
Print
Really Good Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Really Good Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies feature browned butter for a rich, nutty flavor and a soft, chewy texture. With a touch of flaky sea salt on top, they offer the perfect balance of sweet and salty, making them an irresistible treat for cookie lovers.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/2 sticks salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped chocolate chunks or chips
Finishing
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Bake the Butter: Place the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook the butter while swirling the pan, allowing it to brown lightly, which should take 2-4 minutes. Remove the butter from the heat and transfer it into a mixing bowl.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk the browned butter together with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in the flour, baking soda, and salt, and stir just until combined to avoid overmixing. Then gently fold in the chocolate chunks or chips.
- Shape and Chill: Roll the dough into rounded balls about 1 tablespoon each and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze the dough balls for 10 minutes to help them hold their shape while baking.
- First Bake: Bake the cookies for 6 minutes at 350°F. Then remove the baking sheet and rotate it for even baking.
- Flatten the Cookies: Tap the baking sheet gently on the counter one to two times to help the cookies spread and flatten.
- Second Bake: Return the cookies to the oven and bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers remain slightly glossy, indicating chewy perfection.
- Cool and Finish: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet to firm up and then sprinkle the tops lightly with flaky sea salt for a gourmet touch.
Notes
- Room temperature eggs and butter help create a smoother dough and better texture.
- Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the cookie taste.
- Freezing the dough balls before baking helps the cookies retain their shape and results in a chewier texture.
- Adjust the baking time slightly depending on your oven for desired chewiness.
- Use high-quality chocolate chunks or chips for the best flavor and texture.
- Sprinkling flaky sea salt enhances the sweet and salty contrast in each bite.
