These Ultra Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are the kind of bakery-style cookies that instantly grab attention, huge, chunky, golden on the edges, and unbelievably soft inside. I still remember the first batch I baked: the dough came together thick and sturdy, the cookies puffed up beautifully in the oven, and the moment we broke one open, it was gooey, warm, and packed with melty chocolate. They’re the cookies you bake when you want something extra special, thick like the famous NYC bakery cookies but easier and made with simple ingredients right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bakery-style thickness: These cookies bake up tall and chunky, thanks to a sturdy dough, chilled time, and the perfect ratio of flour to butter. No flat cookies, ever.
- Chewy centers + crisp edges: The outside gets a light golden crisp while the inside stays soft, dense, and chewy, giving you the perfect bite every time.
- Chocolate in every bite: Packed with both chocolate chips and chunks, each cookie is fully loaded for maximum flavor and texture.
- Chill time for perfect structure: Chilling gives the dough time to firm up and prevents spreading, helping the cookies stay thick and tall.
- Stays soft for days: These cookies maintain that bakery-style chew even after storage, making them great for gifting or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, cold
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate bar
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: Cream Butter & Sugars
- Beat Until Combined: Beat cold cubed butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until slightly creamy, about 2–3 minutes.
Tip: It won’t get fully fluffy because the butter is cold, and that’s perfect for thick cookies.
STEP 2: Add Eggs & Vanilla
- Mix Well: Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
Tip: Using cold eggs keeps the dough firm and prevents overspreading.
STEP 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
Tip: Cornstarch is key for chewiness and thickness.
STEP 4: Combine Dough
- Add to Wet Mixture: Slowly add dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix until a thick dough forms.
Tip: The dough should be thick and sturdy—if it’s sticky, add 1–2 more tablespoons of flour.
STEP 5: Add Chocolate
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Fold in chocolate chips and chocolate chunks.
Tip: Save a handful to press on top for a bakery-style look.
STEP 6: Chill the Dough
- Chill for 1 Hour: Refrigerate the dough to firm up and reduce spreading.
Tip: For extra thick cookies, chill up to 2 hours.
STEP 7: Scoop & Bake
- Form Large Dough Balls: Scoop ¼ cup portions and gently shape into tall mounds.
Tip: Taller mounds bake thicker than round balls. - Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers look slightly underdone.
Tip: Do not overbake, cookies continue to set during cooling.
STEP 8: Cool & Enjoy
- Cool on Sheet: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before moving.
Tip: This helps them stay thick and chewy without breaking apart.
Cooking Notes
- Cold butter ensures the cookies stay ultra thick.
- Cornstarch adds chewiness and soft centers.
- 375°F creates perfect crisp edges without overbaking.
- Chocolate chunks create pocket-melted pools that look like bakery cookies.
- Cookies stay fresh for 4–5 days in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with cold milk
- Crumble over vanilla or cookie dough ice cream
- Stack and tie with ribbon for gifting
- Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate for a fancy look
- Enjoy with hot cocoa or a mocha for a cozy treat
Tips
- Cold butter makes cookies thicker, don’t soften it
- Use both chips + chunks for bakery-style texture
- Chill the dough to keep cookies tall and thick
- Bake at higher heat for crispy edges and chewy centers
- Press extra chocolate on top before baking to make them picture-perfect
Variations
- Walnut Bakery Cookies: Add 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts.
- Triple Chocolate: Use white, milk, and dark chocolate.
- Salted Caramel: Add caramel bits + flaky sea salt on top.
- Brown Butter Version: Brown the butter first for a deeper flavor (chill afterward).
- Stuffed Cookies: Add a square of chocolate or Nutella inside the dough.
Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Nutritional Information
(Per cookie, based on 14 large cookies)
Approx. 320 calories, 17g fat, 38g carbs, 4g protein
FAQs
Why are my cookies not thick enough?
- Your butter may have softened too much, or the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Cold ingredients and a proper chill time are key for thick cookies.
Can I chill the dough overnight?
- Absolutely. Cover and chill up to 24 hours. Let it sit 10 minutes at room temperature before scooping.
Why do we use cold butter?
- Cold butter keeps the dough firm, prevents spreading, and creates a thick, bakery-style cookie with deep cracks and chewy centers.
Can I freeze the dough?
- Yes, scoop dough balls and freeze. Bake from frozen by adding 2–3 extra minutes.
Can I reduce the sugar?
- Not recommended; sugar contributes to texture, spread, and chewiness. Reducing it will change the final result.
Do I have to use both chocolate chips and chunks?
- You don’t have to, but using both creates the best texture, chips for structure, chunks for gooey melted pockets.
Conclusion
These Ultra Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything a bakery-style cookie should be, big, chunky, golden, and packed with chocolate. The combination of cold butter, extra flour, cornstarch, and the perfect bake-time creates a cookie that’s crisp on the outside and incredibly soft and dense inside. They’re impressive, indulgent, and so satisfying to break open and share. Whether you’re baking for your family, gifting them to friends, or treating yourself to something special, these cookies deliver bakery quality right at home. One batch, and you’ll see exactly why they’re unforgettable.
