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How to Make Perfect Chewy Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Lynsey Macdonald
Looking for the perfect recipe for chocolate chip cookies? Look no further!
These cookies are the absolute pinnacle of perfection - buttery, rich, chewy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Ideal for any family gathering, afternoon tea or weekend treat. They also make a perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth!
This recipe makes 12 cookies, but can simply be doubled or tripled to cater for any occasion!
Ingredients Needed for Chocolate Chip Cookies:
150g melted butter
150g soft brown sugar
190g plain flour
1 large egg
1 extra egg yolk (optional)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
200g chocolate chips or chunks
1/4 tsp salt
Step by Step Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Mix the melted butter, salt and sugar together
Mix these three ingredients together until a smooth paste forms.
Step 2: Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
Step 3: Sift in the flour and baking powder
Once sifted in, gently fold the mixture with a spatula.
Step 4: Fold in the chocolate chunks.
Step 5: Chill the dough.
We recommend 2-3 hours for best results. (For more intense flavours, chill the dough overnight before baking).
Step 6: Pre heat the oven to 180°C/160°C (fan) and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
Step 7: Divide the mixture into 12 balls
Spread them out evenly on your baking trays and make sure to leave enough space between each to allow for spreading.
Step 8: Flatten the cookie balls slightly
You want to make sure that the cookies are still more tall than wide (this will result in thick cookies with gooey centres).
Step 9: Bake for 10 minutes
Or until they start to brown/crisp at the edges but are still very soft in the centre (don't worry, they'll harden as they cool).
Step 10: Leave to cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
FAQ
How long do fresh baked cookies last?
Fresh baked cookies should last up to 5 days when stored at room temperature, in an airtight container.
Why should I use melted butter in my cookie recipe?
For chewier cookies, melted butter is a must! Melted butter mixes more easily with flour, which makes it easier for gluten to form. And, the more gluten present, the more chew you will get. Alternatively, if you want your cookies to have a cake-like texture, softened butter will work.
Both softened butter and melted butter taste great - it really comes down to your preference!
Why the extra egg yolk?
It's totally optional but adding in an extra egg yolk is a great decision if you are a fan of a super chewy cookie texture. While egg whites typically dry out foods (making them ideal for whipped and fluffy batters like macarons and meringue), the yolk contains protein that, when heated up, produces a gel-like substance. This results in a super soft texture and adds delicious richness when baked.
How long should I leave cookie dough to chill?
Ideally, we'd suggest letting your cookie dough chill overnight. This will result in more intense flavours and textures! If you're baking on the day, 2-3hours is a good time to aim for, however, in a pinch, at least 30 minutes will do! Chilling the cookie dough may just be the most important part of the recipe! When you chill your dough, you allow all the ingredients to settle together, and, more importantly - colder dough results in thicker cookies!
How do you prevent cookies going flat?
Struggling with flat cookies? Check that your dough is not already warm when you're about to bake them. If it is, you may find that they'll spread more in the oven and become flat. For that reason, we suggest prepping ahead of time when you can, so you can chill your dough overnight. The longer the cookie dough has chilled, the thicker your cookies will be!
Can I prepare cookie dough ahead of time?
You can indeed, and honestly - we recommend it! Got visitors coming around for a birthday party, or just for a catch up? Get organised and prepare your cookie dough the day (or even two days) ahead of time. Just chill it in the fridge until it's time to make the cookies, leaving time to let your chilled dough sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze my cookie dough?
Absolutely. The great thing about having leftover dough is that you can save some for next time! To keep it fresh, simply scoop the cookie dough into a freezer bag or an airtight container. By doing this, your cookie dough should last for up to 3 months. So handy for last minute baking sessions!
Why do my cookies sometimes burn on the bottom?
Your cookies might burn on the bottom simply because you've had the heat of the oven set too high. Next time, try turning the heat down a little.
This is tricky, however, because obviously we need it to be hot enough to bake the cookies! So, make sure you are baking them on the middle rack (don't have them sitting too low), and consider the tray or sheet you are using. Really thick, dark, heavy duty trays absorb heat faster, so this could be your issue! Try using a lighter colour, ligher weight tray with parchment paper.
And finally, too much sugar can increase the chances of your cookies burning on the bottom! So be mindful of how much sugar you are adding to your mixture.
And to follow along for more inspo and baking ideas, you can find us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
Looking for more inspo?
Learn How to Make a Chocolate Number Cake Topper!
