If there’s ever been a cookie to steal hearts and become the talk of every bake sale, it’s the legendary Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Slightly crispy edges give way to tender, gooey centers studded with melting pockets of rich chocolate — every bite is a blissful moment. Whether you’re fueling a cozy movie night or surprising a friend with a homemade gift, these cookies never disappoint. The magic comes from their irresistible simplicity and that classic, bakery-style charm.

Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the secret: each ingredient in these Chocolate Chunk Cookies plays a starring role, creating a chewy, flavorful, golden-brown bite. Gather your baking essentials and discover how every component brings out the absolute best in this classic recipe.

All-purpose flour: Gives structure and a tender crumb to the cookies, keeping them thick without being dense.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough, creating those signature crispy edges and soft centers.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the chocolaty flavors.
Unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness, a delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture, and that unmistakable homemade taste.
Granulated sugar: Ensures the cookies are sweet and gives a little crunch to the outside.
Packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and depth, hinting at caramel with every bite.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and create perfect chewiness.
Pure vanilla extract: Warms up the flavor and rounds out the chocolate’s richness.
Semi-sweet chocolate chunks: The hero ingredient, delivering satisfying bursts of chocolate in every mouthful.
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Add nutty crunch and balance the sweetness if you’re in the mood for a little extra texture.

How to Make Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Tools

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you gather your ingredients. Line your baking sheets with parchment or leave them ungreased for easier cookie release. This simple step sets you up for baking success and ensures golden, even results every time.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures that the leaveners distribute evenly throughout the dough — a crucial detail for those perfect Chocolate Chunk Cookies you crave.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar in a large bowl until the mixture looks fluffy and pale. This aerates the dough, giving your cookies just the right lift while creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each goes in. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until everything is beautifully combined. This step gives the cookies body and an inviting aroma even before they hit the oven.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently and stop when you no longer see streaks of flour — overmixing can make the cookies tough instead of tender.

Step 6: Stir in Chocolate Chunks and Nuts

Fold in the chocolate chunks and, if you desire, add those chopped walnuts or pecans for a little crunch. Every stir is a preview of the gooey, chocolate-studded cookies to come.

Step 7: Portion the Dough

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. This gives each cookie enough room to spread into those perfect, bakery-style circles.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are gold and the centers look set but soft. Give the cookies a couple minutes to firm up on the hot baking sheet, then move them onto wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy your irresistible Chocolate Chunk Cookies warm or at room temperature!

How to Serve Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Garnishes

Try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt onto your cookies just before baking. It brings out the chocolate’s richness and adds a gourmet touch. You can also drizzle a little melted chocolate on top or dust with powdered sugar for a festive finish.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs with Chocolate Chunk Cookies quite like a cold glass of milk — but don’t stop there! They’re also delightful with hot coffee, creamy hot chocolate, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream when you want to turn dessert into a sundae.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cookies in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon for a sweet gift, arrange them in a cookie jar at home, or build a playful cookie tower for parties. For holidays, tuck them into colorful treat boxes or add handwritten labels for a charming, personal touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Chocolate Chunk Cookies soft and fresh, tuck them into an airtight container as soon as they cool. They’ll stay delicious for up to a week at room temperature — perfect for lunchbox treats and easy snacking.

Freezing

For longer storage, place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, using parchment between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to three months, making it easy to enjoy homemade cookies anytime the craving strikes.

Reheating

If you prefer your cookies warm and gooey, just pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat several on a baking sheet at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. The chocolate chunks soften, and the aroma is heavenly — just like fresh from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use chocolate chips instead of chunks?

Absolutely! Chocolate chips work well, but using chunks gives larger pools of chocolate throughout your cookies, creating that bakery-style bite everyone loves in Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

Do I have to chill the dough?

It’s not required, but chilling for even 30 minutes can help prevent spreading and make your cookies a bit thicker and chewier. If you’re in a hurry, though, you’ll still get wonderful results baking right away.

Can I make these cookies nut-free?

Yes, you can easily skip the walnuts or pecans. The Chocolate Chunk Cookies will be just as tasty and perfectly safe for anyone with nut allergies.

Why did my cookies turn out flat?

Flat cookies can be caused by butter that’s too soft or overly warm dough. Try chilling the dough before baking and double-check your baking soda’s freshness to ensure a good rise.

How can I get perfectly round cookies?

For picture-perfect, round Chocolate Chunk Cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough and gently shape the edges with a spoon right after baking while they’re still warm and pliable.

Final Thoughts

Baking Chocolate Chunk Cookies at home truly is an act of love — you get chewy, chocolate-filled treats and the sweet reward of sharing something homemade. Give these a try for your next celebration or quiet weekend bake; I promise you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again!

Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 29 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 36 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the classic goodness of homemade Chocolate Chunk Cookies. These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with gooey chocolate chunks and optional crunchy nuts.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Mix-ins:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chunks and nuts if using.
Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft.
Cool and enjoy: Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie before baking.
Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American