Decadent Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies

Looking for a new, outrageously delicious, and truly unique cookie experience? Look no further! These Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies offer a gourmet treat that you can effortlessly bake right in your own kitchen. Elevate your dessert game with a recipe that promises extraordinary flavor and an impressive presentation.

These distinct gourmet Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies are meticulously crafted with three lavish layers of rich, buttery cookie dough, each generously filled with delectable bittersweet chocolate shards. Expertly cut into perfect rounds and baked to golden perfection, their taste is as incredible as their stunning appearance. Prepare to redefine your expectations for the classic chocolate chip cookie.

Why These Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies Are a Must-Bake

If you’re searching for a chocolate chip cookie recipe that stands out from the crowd, this layered version is an absolute must-try. Here’s why these cookies will become your new favorite:

• Unforgettably Big, Thick, and Chewy: Forget thin, crispy cookies. These are substantial, offering a satisfying chewiness with every bite. The thickness ensures a moist interior, contrasting beautifully with slightly crisped edges.
• Bittersweet Chocolate Shards Throughout: Instead of traditional chocolate chips, this recipe calls for bittersweet chocolate shards. This means irregular pieces of intense chocolate are distributed throughout all three layers, ensuring a varied and richer chocolate experience in every mouthful.
• Bakery-Quality, Homemade Convenience: Impress your friends and family with cookies that look like they came straight from a high-end bakery. Despite their sophisticated appearance, they are surprisingly simple to make at home, allowing you to enjoy gourmet quality without the gourmet price tag.
• A Unique Twist on a Classic: While the concept of layered cookies might not be entirely new to the culinary world, it offers a refreshing departure from the conventional chocolate chip cookie. It elevates a beloved classic into something truly special and memorable.

The Inspiration Behind These Gourmet Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies

The journey to these exquisite layered chocolate chip cookies began with an inspiring discovery. This unique approach to cookie baking was notably featured on the Martha Stewart website back in 2012, where they were aptly dubbed “Thousand-Layer Chocolate Chip Cookies.” It was a revelation that steered clear of the standard Nestle Tollhouse recipe many of us have memorized over the decades, presenting a truly innovative method for creating a distinct chocolate chip cookie. More recently, a similar concept caught our eye on the blog “Butter and Brioche,” by the exceptionally talented baker, Thalia, further igniting the passion to perfect this layered masterpiece.

For those who love to explore different takes on chocolate chip cookies, don’t miss out on popular variations like the Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies, which also offer a delightful experience worth trying. However, the layered approach remains unparalleled for its depth of flavor and unique texture.

Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crafting these extraordinary cookies begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving their distinctive flavor and texture:

• Kitchen Staples: You’ll need softened butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Ensure your butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming with the sugars, which is crucial for the cookie’s tender crumb.
• Dark Brown Sugar: This ingredient is a game-changer. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses than light brown sugar, imbuing the cookies with deeper, richer caramel undertones and contributing to their incredible chewiness. The extra moisture from the molasses helps create a softer, more pliable dough, essential for layering.
• Vanilla Extract: Always opt for pure vanilla extract over imitation. Real vanilla provides a complex, aromatic depth that artificial versions simply cannot replicate, enhancing the overall flavor profile of your cookies.
• Bittersweet Chocolate Bars: The star of these layered cookies! Using high-quality bittersweet chocolate bars, such as Ghirardelli, ensures a rich, intense chocolate flavor that beautifully balances the sweetness of the cookie dough. Chopping bars into shards creates irregular pieces that melt gorgeously, offering pockets of molten chocolate throughout. Feel free to use your preferred brand, as long as it’s a good quality bittersweet chocolate.

Mastering Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies: Expert Tips for Success

Creating these layered chocolate chip cookies is an art, but with these expert tips, you’ll achieve perfection every time. These nuances are what elevate this recipe beyond the ordinary, transforming simple ingredients into a truly gourmet experience. Unlike my sneaky attempts to add pecans or oatmeal to classic chocolate chip cookies (which typically reserve the batch for myself!), these distinct cookies are designed to be universally loved:

• Embrace Dark Brown Sugar for Depth: The choice of dark brown sugar is intentional. Its higher molasses content not only imparts those sought-after caramel undertones but also ensures a wonderfully soft and chewy cookie texture. If you only have light brown sugar on hand, don’t despair! You can easily replicate dark brown sugar by adding one tablespoon of molasses to every cup of light brown sugar. For this recipe, you’ll need approximately ¾ cup of this enriched brown sugar. The added molasses helps the cookies retain moisture, keeping them tender for longer.
• The Richness of Egg Yolks: This recipe deviates from the traditional use of two whole eggs by calling for four egg yolks. This specific adjustment significantly increases the fat content in the dough, resulting in an exceptionally rich, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth cookie that stands apart from standard recipes.
• Precision with Chocolate Shards: Forget regular chocolate chips. The secret to the incredible texture and visual appeal here lies in using bittersweet chocolate shards. For easy and clean chopping, always use a serrated knife. Its saw-like edge provides less resistance than a straight-edge knife, making it much easier to cut through hard chocolate bars and create those beautiful, irregular shards.
• Bittersweet for Intense Flavor: The recipe specifically recommends bittersweet chocolate for its profound, robust chocolate flavor. This depth perfectly complements the sweetness of the dough, creating a balanced and sophisticated taste profile. Even those who typically prefer less intense chocolate often find themselves enjoying this combination. However, if you have a strong preference for semi-sweet chocolate, it can be substituted without compromising the cookie’s structure.
• Thin Shards are Key: While shards are preferred over chunks or chips, pay attention to their thickness. PRO-Tip: Ensure your chocolate shards are thin enough. This is crucial for easy cutting once the dough is layered and you use a cookie or biscuit cutter. Thick shards can make cutting difficult and potentially distort the cookie’s shape.
• The Art of Layering: The defining characteristic of these cookies is the layering. The dough is divided into three equal portions, each rolled into a rectangle. These rectangles are then carefully layered with generous sprinklings of chocolate shards in between, creating a visually stunning and texturally dynamic cookie.
• Uniformity with Cookie Cutters: Once layered, the dough is rolled out again and cut into rounds using a biscuit or cookie cutter. A two-inch cutter is ideal for producing a good size, but remember that the cookies will spread slightly during baking. Cutting them ensures uniformity in size and a professional, bakery-style finish.
• Finishing Touch: Before baking, consider a final flourish. A sprinkle of coarse sugar adds a delightful sparkle and a touch of extra crunch. For those who appreciate the sophisticated sweet-salty combination, a light dusting of fleur de sel on each cookie will elevate the flavors beautifully.

Baking Perfection: Additional Tips for Your Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies

Achieving bakery-level results with your homemade layered chocolate chip cookies is within reach with a few more pointers:

• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the dry ingredients are added, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough cookies. A light touch ensures tender results.
• Chill Time is Crucial: The 30-minute chilling period for the dough is not optional. It allows the butter to firm up, making the dough easier to handle and roll. It also prevents excessive spreading during baking, helping the cookies maintain their thick, layered structure.
• Even Baking: Always preheat your oven to the specified temperature (375ºF) and ensure it’s fully heated before placing cookies inside. Use parchment paper-lined baking sheets to prevent sticking and promote even baking and easy cleanup. Rotate your baking sheets halfway through the baking time if your oven has hot spots, ensuring all cookies bake uniformly.
• Know When They’re Done: These cookies are perfectly baked when their edges are golden brown, but their centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking will result in dry, less chewy cookies.
• Proper Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This initial cooling period allows them to firm up slightly, preventing them from breaking when moved. Cooling completely on a wire rack ensures air circulation, preventing soggy bottoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies

Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with these layered chocolate chip cookies, you’re in for a treat with more delightful cookie creations from our kitchen:

• Hot Chocolate Cookies from Love from the Oven
• Flourless Chocolate Cookies
• Killer Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
• And for those times when a whole batch is too tempting, try this convenient Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar for One!
• Discover more Chocolate Recipes
• Browse our extensive collection of Cookie Recipes

The Recipe:

Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
35 minutes

Yield
18 cookies

Multiple layers of bittersweet chocolate shards, rich dark brown sugar, and four egg yolks combine to create thick, out-of-this-world chocolate chip cookies!

Aggregate Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 47 reviews.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• ¾ cup dark-brown sugar
• ¾ cup sugar
• 4 large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into thin shards with a serrated knife
• Coarse sugar or fleur de sel for dusting (optional)

Instructions

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, typically about 3 minutes. Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
3. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. With the stand mixer on a low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix only until the flour is just combined, being careful not to overmix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
5. Divide the cookie dough into three equal portions. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and gently flatten it into a disc. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
6. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
7. Unwrap one portion of the chilled dough and place it on a lightly floured work surface. Roll the dough into a rectangular shape, ensuring it is less than an inch thick.
8. Evenly sprinkle half of the chopped bittersweet chocolate shards over the rolled-out dough rectangle.
9. Roll out the second portion of dough to a similar size and carefully place it on top of the chocolate-coated layer. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate shards over this second layer. Finally, roll out the last portion of dough to a similar size and place it on top.
10. Lightly dust the stacked cookie dough with a little flour. Gently roll out the entire layered dough block to a rectangle approximately 1½ inches thick. Using a 2-inch round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out individual cookie rounds.
11. Place the cut-out dough rounds on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading. If desired, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with coarse sugar or fleur de sel. Gently pat any dough scraps together and cut additional rounds until all dough is used.
12. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the edges are lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Notes

This remarkable recipe has been adapted from the original “Thousand-Layer Chocolate Chip Cookies” found on Martha Stewart’s website.

Watch our video tutorial for a visual guide on how to make these delicious Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk
• Rolling pin
• Biscuit Cutters
• KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red
• Reynolds Kitchens Non-Stick Baking Parchment Paper Sheets – 12×16 Inch, 22 Count
• USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

18

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 230Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 16gProtein: 5g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest