There’s something timeless and universally comforting about a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie. These Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies bring all the cozy, nostalgic joy you could ever want, super-sized. With golden, crisp edges and a soft, thick center loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips, each bite is an indulgent experience that brings bakery-quality deliciousness straight to your home kitchen.
Perfect for sharing (or not!), these cookies are as visually impressive as they are flavorful. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, gifting treats, or just craving something extraordinary, these oversized cookies make a stunning and satisfying sweet. Serve them warm with a glass of milk or stack them in a jar as a beautiful homemade gift.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup brown sugar, packed
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
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Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
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Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
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Fold in chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
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Using a ¼ cup measuring cup or large cookie scoop, portion dough onto baking sheets, leaving 2-3 inches between cookies.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are just set (do not overbake).
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Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 12 large cookies
The Ultimate Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Few things in life bring as much simple pleasure as biting into a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven. And when that cookie is giant, soft in the center, crispy on the edges, and packed with gooey chocolate chips, the experience is elevated to pure bliss. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a bake sale, or just craving a comforting treat, these Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver big-time flavor and classic cookie shop vibes, right in your own kitchen.
In this post, we’re diving into everything you need to know to bake the best giant chewy chocolate chip cookies ever. From the science behind the chewiness, tips for the perfect bake, ingredient substitutions, and variations, we’ve got all the cookie secrets you’ll need to master this classic recipe.
What Makes These Cookies So Good?
1. Texture That’s Just Right
The hallmark of a great chocolate chip cookie is the contrast of textures: crisp and golden on the outside, tender and chewy on the inside. These cookies achieve that balance with a few strategic ingredient choices and techniques. Using both baking soda and baking powder gives the cookies a bit of rise and softness. Meanwhile, a high ratio of brown sugar to white sugar boosts moisture retention, which is key to chewiness.
2. Big, Bakery-Style Size
These aren’t your average cookies. They’re oversized, which means more soft, chewy centers per bite. Scooping the dough into large portions not only gives that classic bakery look but also ensures a luxurious cookie-to-chocolate ratio and a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
3. Packed with Chocolate Chips
When it comes to chocolate chip cookies, there’s no such thing as too many chocolate chips. This recipe uses a full two cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring that every bite has rich, melty chocolate that complements the cookie’s buttery dough.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a specific role in achieving the ideal cookie texture and flavor. Let’s take a closer look:
- Butter: Softened unsalted butter provides flavor and richness, and the creaming process with sugars incorporates air into the dough, helping with the spread and structure of the cookie.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds not just sweetness but also moisture, which is essential for chewy cookies. The molasses in brown sugar also gives the cookies a hint of caramel flavor that deepens the overall taste.
- Granulated Sugar: White sugar contributes to the crisp edges and gives the cookie its structure. The blend of both sugars is what creates that chewy-crispy balance.
- Eggs: Eggs bind the dough and add moisture and fat. They’re essential for a tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: A quality vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile and rounds out the sweetness with its floral, creamy notes.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookie. Too much flour can make cookies cakey, while too little can cause them to spread too thin. The three-cup measurement is just right for thick, chewy cookies.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents give the cookies their rise and help with the soft, puffy center.
- Salt: Even in sweet recipes, salt is essential. It enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Chocolate Chips: The star of the show. You can use semi-sweet, dark, or even a mix of chocolate chunks and chips for variety.
Tips for Perfect Giant Cookies Every Time
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Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin. This allows for better mixing and more consistent cookie dough. -
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. -
Chill the Dough (Optional)
If you want extra-thick cookies with richer flavor, chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour before baking. This step helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much. -
Use a Cookie Scoop or Measuring Cup
To get even, bakery-style cookies, use a ¼ cup measuring cup or large cookie scoop. This ensures uniformity and helps each cookie bake evenly. -
Watch the Edges, Not the Center
Cookies continue to cook after they’re removed from the oven. Take them out when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Fun Variations to Try
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Double Chocolate: Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and use chocolate chunks instead of chips.
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Peanut Butter Swirl: Swirl ½ cup of creamy peanut butter into the dough just before scooping.
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Sea Salt Finish: Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top of the dough balls before baking for a sweet-salty contrast.
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Nutty Crunch: Stir in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra texture.
- Stuffed Cookies: Place a small square of chocolate or caramel in the center of each dough ball for a surprise molten middle.
How to Store These Cookies
- Room Temperature
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies.
- Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature or warm them briefly in the microwave for that just-baked feel.
- Freezing the Dough
Want fresh cookies on demand? Freeze the portioned dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Why You’ll Love These Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
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They’re nostalgic yet elevated: These cookies taste like childhood memories, only better. Bigger. Chewier. More chocolate.
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They’re easy to make: No complicated steps, just classic cookie-making techniques with guaranteed crowd-pleasing results.
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They’re a showstopper: Oversized cookies are always a hit at parties, bake sales, or as homemade gifts. They look impressive and taste even better.
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Perfect for any occasion: From holidays to casual cravings, there’s never a bad time for a chocolate chip cookie.
Conclusion
Baking the perfect Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies is both a joy and an art. With the right ingredients, a few smart techniques, and a bit of patience, you can achieve cookies that rival your favorite bakery’s. Whether you love the crispy edges or the gooey center (or both), these cookies offer a satisfying texture and rich chocolate flavor that make them irresistible.
More than just a dessert, they’re a mood-lifter, a comfort food, and a celebration wrapped into one chewy, buttery bite. So go ahead and grab your mixing bowl, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of cookies that are every bit as giant and delicious as your cravings demand.