The perfect chocolate chip cookie has arrived, and it’s thick, chewy, and oozing with melty chocolate chips. These bakery-style cookies are made without any fancy tricks—no chilling, no special flours—just pure classic goodness with a chewy center and golden-brown edge. What makes these cookies truly stand out is the short baking time and the smart use of cold butter and cornstarch, resulting in an indulgently soft center that holds its shape just enough. Whether you’re baking them for family, friends, or just yourself on a cozy afternoon, these cookies deliver every single time.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1¼ cups all-purpose flour
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3 tablespoons cornstarch
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ cup cold butter (1 stick), cut into chunks
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6 tablespoons granulated sugar
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6 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 egg
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 bag (10-11 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
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¼ cup walnut pieces (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat cold butter chunks with both sugars, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
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Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined.
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Fold in chocolate chips and optional walnuts. Do not overmix.
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Use a tablespoon to scoop dough balls onto the baking sheet. For extra-large cookies, use 2 tablespoons.
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Bake for 6-7 minutes (or 9-10 for large cookies), until tops are just golden.
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Let cool slightly on the baking sheet to finish cooking inside.
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Enjoy warm for maximum gooey goodness!
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 7 minutes | Total Time: 17 minutes
Kcal: 265 kcal (approx., per cookie) | Servings: 12 standard cookies
The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Experience
Chocolate chip cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re a nostalgic bite of comfort, tradition, and joy. The recipe featured here, inspired by Smart School House, takes the beloved cookie and elevates it to a bakery-style experience. These ultra-thick chocolate chip cookies stand out for their golden-brown edges, irresistibly gooey centers, and rich, buttery flavor. Whether enjoyed straight from the oven or saved for an after-dinner treat, they never disappoint. Here’s everything you need to know about why this particular cookie recipe deserves a permanent place in your kitchen and your heart.
A Bit of Cookie History
Chocolate chip cookies originated in the 1930s when Ruth Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, added chopped chocolate to her butter cookie dough. She expected the chocolate to melt entirely, but instead, the chunks held their shape—giving birth to what we now know and love as the chocolate chip cookie. Since then, countless variations have emerged, but the thick, bakery-style cookie has always held a special place for cookie lovers seeking a more indulgent version.
Why These Chocolate Chip Cookies Are the Best
There are thousands of chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, so what makes this one special? The secret lies in the texture and balance of flavor.
- Thickness and Gooey Center: The use of cornstarch and cold butter ensures a cookie that holds its shape while remaining soft and gooey inside.
- No Need to Chill: Unlike many recipes that require chilling the dough for hours, this one skips that step entirely—perfect for impatient bakers.
- One Bowl Simplicity: The recipe comes together with just a few mixing bowls, no stand mixer required.
- Quick Baking Time: At a high temperature (475°F), these cookies bake in just 6-7 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute dessert cravings.
Baking with Cold Butter? Absolutely.
You might be surprised to see cold butter on the ingredient list, but it plays a crucial role. Using cold butter, cut into small pieces, helps the cookies stay thick and prevents them from spreading too much in the oven. It also contributes to that rich, dense texture that’s so satisfying to bite into.
The Power of Cornstarch
Cornstarch may not be a traditional cookie ingredient, but in this recipe, it’s the game-changer. Just a few tablespoons added to the flour mixture help tenderize the dough and add thickness. Cornstarch works as a softening agent, making the interior pillowy without drying out the edges. It’s the reason these cookies stay chewy even after cooling.
The Flavor Combo: Chocolate and Vanilla
A generous helping of semi-sweet chocolate chips brings that classic, melty goodness to every bite. Combined with a touch of vanilla extract, the flavor profile becomes both familiar and elevated—like your childhood cookie, but with a gourmet twist. The optional walnuts are a bonus, offering a bit of crunch and an earthy contrast to the sweetness.
Texture Perfection: Crispy on the Outside, Soft Inside
The high oven temperature plays a big part in achieving this perfect contrast. The cookie tops brown quickly while the inside remains underdone just enough to finish cooking on the tray. This results in a cookie with crispy, caramelized edges and a gooey, decadent middle.
Simple Ingredients, Stunning Results
Here’s the beauty of this recipe: it uses pantry staples. You probably already have everything you need—flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and chocolate chips. No need for specialty flours or tools. It’s a straightforward recipe with truly bakery-quality results, making it accessible even for beginner bakers.
A Recipe for All Seasons
These cookies aren’t just for holiday trays or birthday parties—they’re an all-season staple. Whip them up on a rainy afternoon, pack them in lunchboxes, or sandwich them with vanilla ice cream in the summer. They’re perfect for any occasion, from casual family nights to elegant dessert spreads.
Kid-Friendly and Parent-Approved
Not only do kids love eating them, but they’re also a fun recipe for little hands to help make. Mixing, scooping, and sneaking chocolate chips from the bowl—these cookies make baking an experience the whole family can enjoy. Plus, they contain no preservatives or mystery ingredients, so you know exactly what your kids are eating.
Tips for the Best Results
To make sure your cookies turn out perfect every time, here are a few insider tips:
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix until ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Use Quality Chocolate: The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor. Go for semi-sweet chips or chunks with a high cocoa content.
- Size Matters: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to ensure even baking. If you want bakery-sized cookies, double the dough per scoop and extend the bake time by a few minutes.
- Watch the Oven: Because these bake at a high temp, keep an eye on them. Pull them out once the tops are just golden—they’ll finish baking on the pan.
How to Store These Cookies
If you somehow manage to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Want to keep them longer? These cookies freeze beautifully. Place cooled cookies in a freezer bag, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Just microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore that warm, gooey center.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips
You can also freeze the dough! Form the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, place the dough on a sheet and bake straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time. Perfect for spontaneous cookie cravings!
Allergy and Dietary Considerations
This recipe contains dairy, eggs, and wheat. However, substitutions can be made:
- Egg-Free: Use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce in place of the egg.
- Nut-Free: Simply skip the walnuts.
- Gluten-Free: Swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary needs without sacrificing texture.
Creative Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered this recipe, why not mix it up?
- Add White Chocolate Chips and Macadamia Nuts
- Swirl in Peanut Butter or Nutella Before Baking
- Top with Flaky Sea Salt for a Sweet-Savory Combo
- Stuff the Dough with a Mini Caramel or Chocolate Truffle
The base dough is incredibly versatile and can handle all kinds of creative spins.
Perfect for Gifting and Sharing
Few things make better gifts than a batch of homemade cookies. Wrap them in parchment, add a cute ribbon, and you’ve got a heartfelt present for teachers, neighbors, or friends. They’re also ideal for cookie swaps, bake sales, or as a thoughtful addition to care packages.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, what makes this recipe the best isn’t just the golden exterior or the melty chocolate. It’s how easy it is to make. It’s how reliably delicious it turns out every time. And most of all, it’s how it brings people together—kids rushing to the kitchen, friends sharing laughs over dessert, or quiet evenings made better with a still-warm cookie.
This is more than just a chocolate chip cookie recipe—it’s a keeper. It’s the one you’ll pass down, the one you’ll crave, and the one you’ll bake on repeat.