If you’ve ever wanted to recreate those giant bakery-style chocolate chip cookies at home — the kind with golden, crispy edges and soft, gooey centers — this is the recipe you need. These cookies are thick, loaded with chocolate, and taste like they came straight from a high-end bakery.
No chill time required. Just mix, scoop, and bake. Whether you’re baking for guests, gifting, or simply craving a cafe-style treat, these cookies deliver both looks and flavor.
Why These Cookies Are So Good
- Big and bold: Oversized with bakery-style thickness
- Crispy edges: Caramelized for texture
- Gooey centers: Slightly underbaked for the perfect chew
- Loaded with chocolate: Every bite is packed
- No chilling: Get cookies on the table faster
- Versatile recipe: Customize with nuts, different chocolates, or festive mix-ins
The secret is in the cold butter and dough stacking. Combined, they create dramatic, chunky cookies that don’t spread too much in the oven.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Core Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (use high-quality)
Optional: Sprinkle of flaky sea salt after baking
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the cold cubed butter with brown and white sugar until creamy. This takes about 2–3 minutes. The cold butter gives structure, creating that thick, bakery-style height.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each. Stir in vanilla extract until everything is smooth.
Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients
On low speed, mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined — the dough will be thick.
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate
Gently stir in chocolate chips or chunks. Make sure they’re evenly distributed for rich bites throughout.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
Scoop large dough balls (about 1/4 cup each). Stack or double-stack them to add height and prevent overspreading.
Step 7: Bake
Place on baking sheet, spacing cookies about 3 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Edges should look golden; centers should look just a bit underbaked.
Cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Use cold butter straight from the fridge for thick cookies
- Don’t flatten the dough balls — tall dough = thick cookies
- Let them rest on the tray after baking to finish setting
- Use chopped chocolate bars for gooey pockets of chocolate
- Add sea salt flakes on top right out of the oven for a gourmet touch
Add-Ins and Variations
Flavor Twists:
- White chocolate and macadamia nuts for a bakery-style spin
- Dark chocolate chunks and a pinch of espresso powder for richness
- Seasonal add-ins: Crushed peppermint during holidays, toffee bits, or mini marshmallows
Dough Ideas:
- Brown the butter first for nutty, deeper flavor (cool before using)
- Chill the dough if you want even less spreading
Storage Tips
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 4 days
- To refresh: warm in microwave for 10 seconds for soft centers
- Freeze dough balls raw for fresh-baked cookies anytime — bake straight from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container
Nutrition Information (Per Cookie – Based on 16 cookies)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Saturated Fat | 11 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use cold butter?
Cold butter slows down the spreading of cookies while baking, helping them stay thick and tall — just like bakery-style ones.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be refrigerated up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temp for about 10 minutes before scooping.
Can I use different types of chocolate?
Absolutely. Try a mix of chips and chopped bars. Milk, dark, and white chocolate all work well.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Portion into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes.
How do I get gooey centers?
Don’t overbake! The cookies should look slightly underdone when removed. Let them rest to finish baking on the tray.
Can I make them smaller?
Yes, but reduce baking time by 2–3 minutes. Smaller cookies will be less gooey and thick but still delicious.
Final Thoughts
Bakery-style chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate comfort treat. With a few simple tricks — like cold butter, large scoops, and stacked dough — you’ll get thick, chewy, golden cookies that feel straight out of your favorite bakery.
They’re easy to bake, fun to share, and even better to eat warm with a glass of milk. Once you try this version, it’ll be your new go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies (Thick, Crispy & Gooey)
Ingredients
Core Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
Add-Ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks use high-quality
- flaky sea salt optional, for sprinkling after baking
Instructions
- Preheat & prep: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter & sugars: In a large bowl, beat cold cubed butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed until creamy, 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs & vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: On low speed, mix in flour, baking soda, and salt just until combined; dough will be thick.
- Fold in chocolate: Stir in chocolate chips/chunks until evenly distributed.
- Shape tall scoops: Scoop about 1/4 cup dough per cookie; stack or double-stack pieces to create tall mounds. Do not flatten.
- Bake: Place 3 inches apart on sheets. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden and centers look slightly underbaked. Cool on pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Sprinkle flaky sea salt if using.