Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Malcolm Livingston II

Adapted by Jeff Gordinier

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 minutes, not including time to chill
Rating
4(652)
Notes
Read community notes

At WD-50 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the pastry chef Malcolm Livingston II specializes in building delicious and visually arresting desserts out of ingredients that seem to have been thrown together like strangers at a co*cktail party. (A recent example: “verbena mousse, plum, buckwheat, camelina oil.”) But when it comes to the family meal, when members of the kitchen team meet up for a mass nosh, Mr. Livingston is known for baking something more traditional: chocolate chip cookies. “I think they stand out because of the texture,” he said, citing his blend of all-purpose flour, bread flour and melted butter. Pay attention to the process, though. “When making them at home, set aside enough time for your dough to be chilled,” he advised. “The cookies bake better when they are going straight from freezer or fridge directly into the oven.” —Jeff Gordinier

Featured in: Foraging for a Pastry Chef in the Bronx

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Ingredients

Yield:3 dozen cookies

  • 11tablespoons/150 grams unsalted butter, melted
  • ½cup/100 grams packed dark brown sugar
  • ½cup/88 grams granulated sugar
  • 1egg plus 1 yolk
  • 1cup/150 grams bread flour
  • cup/50 grams all-purpose flour
  • 1teaspoon/4 grams salt
  • ¼teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾cup/125 grams chocolate chips

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (36 servings)

89 calories; 4 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 46 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar for 3 minutes. Add the egg and yolk and whip for another 6 minutes or until light in color and fluffy.

  2. Step

    2

    Sift together the flours, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Switch to the paddle attachment on the mixer and add the dry ingredients and chocolate chips. Mix on low speed until all ingredients are incorporated and mixture looks hom*ogeneous. Dough will be slightly wet.

  3. Step

    3

    Chill the dough until set enough to scoop with an ice cream scoop. Or transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper and roll into a log. Wrap it in the paper and twist the ends tightly to secure, and chill until firm enough to cut into 1-inch slices, at least 1 hour.

  4. Step

    4

    When ready to bake, heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, scoop the dough or slice, and space cookies at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown on the edges but still soft in the middle.

Ratings

4

out of 5

652

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Jessica D.

Very good results. Specifically, I froze the dough into a log and have been slicing off portions to make cookies on the fly in case of a cookie emergency.

Mark

Tried this numerous times. Reluctantly, will become a "go from" recipe. Too much time and effort for dubious results. The 9 minutes of whipping yields cookies that are more "cakey" than chewy. Also, if making these increase quantity of chocolate chips to a full cup.

Joshua

These cookies were very easy to make and delicious. Perfect balance of chew/crunch...will DEFINITELY make again.

Kaitlin

Cookies are significantly better after sitting for a day or two - they taste exactly like Tates!

Christopher Todd

I love your emergencies!

kmg

I love the science of this recipe. I have made this recipe with variations on the ratio of brown and white sugar and have come to respect the authors recipe except I add a pinch of flake sea salt instead of a teaspoon and I add more chips. I use a tablespoon scoop to layout 28-34 cookies freezing them for an hr before cooking. For the remainder of frozen raw cookies, I just store them in a freezer bag and cook unthawed at 375 degrees for 13 minutes. I truly love that this recipe is different

Shrrrrn

How could anyone get 3 dozen cookies from this recipe? I got 16. They're fairly large but not enormous. The recipe should specify a crazy-long skinny snake wrapped in parchment if you're supposed to cut it into 36 pieces.

not enough

Does not yield as much as it claims. I only got 14 cookies using this recipe.

Mia

Everyone was right! You need to have a full cup of chocolate chips! Also I added half a cup of walnuts but could definitely use a cup. A half a cup of sugar was the perfect sweetness for us but if you are going to turn down the sugar I found out that you also need to turn down the salt! Excellent cookies! I rolled them which made it so easy to cut them and throw in the oven!

thepotterswife

I love these cookies. I can make them on the spur of the moment because the butter is melted not plan-ahead softened. Although the first time I made the cookies I followed the specific mixing times, I now ignore those directions with no consequences and simply judge when the sugar and eggs are sufficiently mixed and fluffy. I increase chips to one cup-yum! I bake a small batch right away and freeze the rest of the dough in a log and cut off as desired.

sara e. wilson

chill the bowl sufficiently to roll the dough into a log.

sara e. wilson

We don’t have a stand mixer so I mixed by hand (oops, I slightly over mixed), which that meant there was one less thing to wash at the end.

RachelYVR

at this point just add a whole cup of chocolate

Shirley

Changes:1/2 c. Margarine1/3 c. Each white and brown sugar1 eggAdded nuts.

Stina

I didn’t have bread flour so I just used all-purpose flour and they still turned out wonderful. Also, I forgot to put the whisk attachment on in the beginning and didn’t realize it until it said to put on the paddle attachment. I honestly don’t think it made a difference for this recipe. I think the only thing I might change next time will be to add vanilla. I thought it was strange that the recipe didn’t include it, but I think I’ll try it next time just to see if I like it even better.

eva

I love these cookies and I added 1 Tsp vanilla, chopped pecans and a mixture of milk, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate.

Zach

I used an electric hand mixer instead of the stand mixer and got excellent results. Felt like the hand mixer got the dough to the place it needed to be quicker. Definitely add an extra quarter cup of choc-chips.I love the specificity of this recipe. The creator must've tried many iterations to get this nailed down. The result is a crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside when cooled. Optimally consumed 5 min out the oven, but they tasted great after a trans-Atlantic flight, too!

Shrrrrn

How could anyone get 3 dozen cookies from this recipe? I got 16. They're fairly large but not enormous. The recipe should specify a crazy-long skinny snake wrapped in parchment if you're supposed to cut it into 36 pieces.

April

This is a go to recipe! First try was a bit meh because there’s was only light brown sugar after the Thanksgiving festivities. But we were intrigued and knew we were on to something. So recommend you keep that brown sugar dark, brown that butter, up the chips (mix of milk and semi sweet) and add a splash of vanilla. Yumminess awaits!

Beverly

I followed every step except increasing the butter and browning it and then measuring out exactly what the recipe called for. My cookies are darker because of the browned butter but it has a nice nutty rich flavor. This recipe is a keeper. These cookies are done around the 12 minute mark. Superb.

whats up

Use one cup of Chocolate chips.

AndrewL

Thanks Jeff! Made with gluten-free flour and added walnuts. Delish! Cakey center, crisp edges. Added some kosher salt out of the oven. Maybe I cut wrong but only made about 18 large cookies (not 24).

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Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making cookies soft and chewy? ›

Cornstarch gives the cookies that ultra soft consistency we all love. Plus, it helps keep the cookies beautifully thick. We use the same trick when making shortbread cookies. Egg yolk: Another way to promise a super chewy chocolate chip cookie is to use an extra egg yolk.

Why are my chocolate chip cookies crunchy and not chewy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Is it better to use butter or oil in chocolate chip cookies? ›

Indeed, cookies made with butter are usually softer and more tender than those made with oils. And last but not least, butter in cookies helps achieve that perfect texture. That's because butter melts at a lower temperature than other fats, allowing cookies to spread evenly while baking.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

How do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

What ingredients make for a chewy rather than a crunchy cookie? Eggs, brown sugar and a fat mix of 50/50 butter and shortening are some of the ingredients that will help make a cookie chewier. Also, fluff the flour with a whisk before measuring it — too much flour will make a cookie dry.

What not to do when making cookies? ›

15 Common Cookie Baking Mistakes You Might Be Making
  1. Your cookies aren't baking evenly. ...
  2. You use eggs straight from the fridge. ...
  3. You use the wrong kind of flour. ...
  4. You measure flour the wrong way. ...
  5. You soften butter too much — or not enough. ...
  6. You use stale baking powder or baking soda. ...
  7. You overwork the dough.
Nov 4, 2020

Do you flatten cookie dough before baking? ›

Flattening the cookie dough provides more surface area that comes into contact with the ice bath, shortening the time it takes to chill. Then submerge the dough in the ice water and let it chill. After 20 minutes the dough will be completely chilled and ready for baking.

What is the best flour for chewy cookies? ›

You don't absolutely HAVE to use bread flour, but it adds a ton of chewy texture to these cookies that's worth the extra trip to the store. If you can't get bread flour, then use all AP flour in its place.

Why do my chocolate chip cookies get hard so fast? ›

Don't Overbake! This isn't a revolutionary tip and is probably quite obvious, but if you leave your cookies in the oven for even a few minutes longer than necessary, the mix will dry too quickly and lead to more rigid, dry cookies.

What does brown sugar do in cookies? ›

Brown sugar, meanwhile, is dense and compacts easily, creating fewer air pockets during creaming—that means that there's less opportunity to entrap gas, creating cookies that rise less and spread more. With less moisture escaping via steam, they also stay moist and chewy.

Why are my chocolate chip cookies hard after baking? ›

Overbaking: If you bake your cookies for too long, they can become dry and hard. Make sure to check your cookies frequently as they bake and remove them from the oven when they are just starting to turn golden brown around the edges.

Is it better to use Crisco or butter in cookies? ›

Which One Should I Use in Cookies? Basically, cookies made with butter spread more and are flatter and crisper if baked long enough. However, they are more flavorful than cookies made with shortening. Cookies made with shortening bake up taller and are more tender, but aren't as flavorful.

What is the trick to keep baked goods like cookies soft? ›

This simplest kitchen hack you'll ever love!

If you bake too many cookies (as if there is such a thing!) and are concerned about them going stale, just add a slice of white bread to the storage container to keep them from hardening.

What makes cookies soft and fluffy? ›

When added to dough, baking soda releases a carbon dioxide gas which helps leaven the dough, creating a soft, fluffy cookie.

Why are my cookies hard instead of chewy? ›

Hard cookies: you are over mixing, baking too long, baking at too high a temperature, or some combination of these. Cakey cookies: not enough brown sugar, too much or too little egg, too much flour, maybe you used baking powder instead of baking soda?

What determines the moistness of a cookie? ›

Butter contributes milk solids and water to a cookie, both of which soften it. Brown sugar contributes molasses – again, a softener. Using lower-moisture sugar (granulated) and fat (vegetable shortening), plus a longer, slower bake than normal, produces light, crunchy cookies.

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