Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons/140 grams unsalted butter
softened, 1 1/4 sticks
- Scant 3/4 cup/140 grams dark brown sugar
- 2/3 cup/110 grams superfine sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons/250 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Maldon sea salt
or kosher salt
- 6 ounces/170 grams dark chocolate
chopped into large chunks, bittersweet
Directions
- 1
Put the butter and both sugars in a stand mixer or mixing bowl. Cream together using a paddle attachment on medium speed, a handheld electric whisk or a wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes until paler but not fluffy. (Do not mix for too long; if you beat the mixture until super light and fluffy, that will cause the cookie to deflate later when cooking.)
- 2
Add the egg and beat over medium speed until evenly combined.
- 3
In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (all the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt), then fold into the butter mixture using a rubber spatula until combined.
- 4
Add the chopped chocolate and fold into the dough until evenly distributed.
- 5
Immediately scoop out heaping 1/4-cup portions (about 60 grams), roll into balls and place on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 12 hours. (If space is tight, you can condense them on one sheet before refrigerating then redistribute among two sheets before baking.)
- 6
The next day, heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- 7
Make sure the dough balls are evenly spaced out among two baking sheets, as they will spread. Bake the cookies for 13 minutes (or 15 minutes if baking from frozen), until the cookies are puffed and golden at the edges. You want the middle to be ever so slightly not-quite set.
- 8
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet; they will continue firming up as they cool. Once cooled, eat! (These cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The balls of dough will keep for up to 2 days in the fridge or 2 weeks in the freezer.)
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 8,328 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a chocolate chip cookie that truly lives up to its name? Forget sad, flat discs—this recipe for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies delivers everything you dream of: plump, chewy centers, crisp edges, and dramatic puddles of rich, melted dark chocolate.
Why These Cookies Work
The secret to these exceptional cookies lies in the meticulous attention to detail from pastry chef Ravneet Gill. Every instruction serves a purpose, from the specific sugars used to the crucial overnight chill time. This isn't just a recipe; it's a blueprint for cookie perfection, ensuring a result far superior to your average bake.
What truly sets these perfect chocolate chip cookies apart is the structured approach to dough handling. Chilling the dough overnight is non-negotiable, preventing spread and concentrating flavor. Rolling the dough into balls before chilling is another key technique that guarantees those coveted domed, plump cookies you crave, rather than thin, flat ones. You'll taste the difference that careful execution makes.
What to Expect
Prepare for a sensory delight. Each bite of these dark chocolate chip cookies offers a compelling contrast: a slightly crisp exterior giving way to a soft, deeply satisfying chew. The star, of course, is the chocolate—large, chopped chunks of bittersweet chocolate melt into dense, gooey puddles that provide a luxurious, intense cocoa flavor. The subtle hint of sea salt balances the sweetness beautifully, creating a sophisticated and utterly irresistible treat that will remind you of your favorite bakery.
Customization & Variations
While the integrity of the recipe is important, there's a little wiggle room for your pantry. If you don't have Maldon sea salt, another flaky sea salt or even kosher salt can be used to provide that essential flavor balance. However, resist the urge to swap the specified dark (bittersweet) chocolate for milk chocolate; the intense flavor of the dark chocolate is crucial to the cookie's signature depth and richness.
Serving & Context
These perfect chocolate chip cookies are ideal for any occasion that calls for a truly indulgent treat, whether it's a special dessert after dinner or a comforting snack with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. They are sure to impress even the most discerning cookie connoisseurs.