Southern Living’s Beloved Chocolate Chip Cookies

Southern Living’s BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies passed the test of my discriminating family with flying colors! Chewy and delicious!

There’s an undeniable magic to a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a nostalgic bite of comfort, a universal language of happiness. While countless recipes promise perfection, few truly deliver. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that has not only met but exceeded expectations in our home – a true showstopper for even the most discerning palates. Inspired by the culinary experts at Southern Living, these Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies are a testament to classic flavors and impeccable texture, earning rave reviews from everyone who tries them.

For years, my kitchen has been a testing ground for countless chocolate chip cookie variations. We’ve explored everything from crispy edges to cakey centers, but one consistent preference has emerged: a cookie that is undeniably thick, incredibly chewy, and absolutely loaded with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. This quest led us to a treasured recipe, which with a few personal touches, has been crowned the ultimate favorite. Get ready to discover a cookie experience that will redefine your standards for homemade treats and make you fall in love with baking all over again.

Why These Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies Are Simply Irresistible

What makes a chocolate chip cookie truly legendary? It’s a precise combination of thoughtfully selected ingredients and expert baking techniques. This recipe isn’t just another cookie; it’s an experience designed for ultimate satisfaction, promising a perfect balance of texture and flavor. Here’s why these Southern Living-inspired cookies will quickly become your new go-to favorite:

• Explosive Chocolate Flavor with Chunks: Unlike traditional, smaller chocolate chips, using generous chocolate chunks ensures magnificent, gooey pockets of molten chocolate in every single bite. This creates a superior mouthfeel and a richer, more indulgent chocolate experience that truly elevates the cookie from good to extraordinary.
• Unmatched Softness and Chewiness: The secret to their incredible, enduring chewiness lies in the strategic and ample use of dark brown sugar. Its higher molasses content is a natural humectant, meaning it draws in and retains moisture, keeping these cookies delightfully soft, moist, and wonderfully chewy for days after baking.
• A Trusted Culinary Foundation: You can bake with absolute confidence, knowing this recipe is beautifully adapted from a tried-and-true classic by Southern Living. This esteemed publication is renowned for its comforting, reliable, and consistently delicious recipes, guaranteeing a successful outcome every time.
• Perfectly Thick and Substantial: If you appreciate a cookie with some heft and substance, these are for you! These aren’t flat, delicate cookies; they boast a wonderfully thick, substantial texture that feels incredibly satisfying. Each cookie is a proper treat, making every bite a truly rewarding experience.
• Simple Yet Sophisticated: Despite their gourmet taste and texture, these cookies are surprisingly straightforward to make. With clear instructions and readily available ingredients, even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results, making them perfect for weeknight cravings or special occasions.

My husband, a self-proclaimed aficionado and connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies, possesses an exceptionally discerning palate. He has embarked on countless “cookie quests,” sampling creations from quaint artisanal bakeries to bustling mall kiosks across the nation. His criteria are precise and unwavering: absolutely no nuts, ever, and the higher the chocolate-to-dough ratio, the better. For many years, the iconic Nestle Toll House cookie held the coveted title of “gold standard” in our household, admired for its classic chewy texture and rich, buttery flavor. However, when this particular recipe, originally from Southern Living, unexpectedly landed in my inbox, a new challenge was set. I knew instantly that a test batch was in order, and to our absolute delight, these Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies were an unequivocal triumph, instantly captivating our entire happy crew and solidifying their place as a new family favorite.

Crafting the Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Achieving that perfect balance of chewiness, richness, and generous chocolate is an art form, and this recipe guides you every step of the way to perfection. Our family has a strong, unanimous preference for generously sized cookies, making a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop an absolutely essential tool in our kitchen. This ensures each cookie is substantial, satisfying, and, crucially, bakes evenly for consistent results across the batch. The choice of chocolate also plays a pivotal, transformative role in elevating these treats from good to truly gourmet. When I truly want to spoil my family and make these chocolate chunk cookies unforgettable, I consistently reach for premium chocolate wafers, particularly Guittard’s semi-sweet version. The way these high-quality wafers melt and create exquisite, shimmering pools of chocolate throughout the cookie is simply divine and far surpasses the texture of standard chocolate chips. You can often find these superior chocolate discs at gourmet grocery stores or specialty kitchen retailers like Williams-Sonoma and Sur la Table, where they sometimes offer a more favorable price than online marketplaces.

A crucial and often overlooked technique for achieving maximum chewiness is to slightly under-bake the cookies. This means pulling them from the oven precisely when the edges are set and delicately golden brown, but the centers still appear just a touch soft, glossy, and gooey. Resist the urge to bake them until they are fully firm! As they rest and cool on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes, they will continue to set up, resulting in that coveted soft, dense, and wonderfully chewy interior that our household cherishes. We firmly believe that a gloriously chewy texture reigns supreme over a crisp one when it comes to the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience. I sincerely hope you’ll give this exceptional recipe a try and discover for yourself if they earn the title of the BEST chewy chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever tasted. If you happen to have a different favorite recipe that delivers similar results, I’d absolutely love to hear about it and expand my own baking repertoire!

While these thick, chewy beauties are a consistent winner and a beloved staple, sometimes a different cookie texture calls for variety. If your preference leans towards a thinner cookie that still maintains a delightfully soft and substantial chew, then I highly recommend exploring our recipe for Thin and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. They offer a fantastic alternative without sacrificing that essential chewiness. For those seeking a truly transformative, almost artisanal cookie experience – one that involves a bit more patience and yields a truly epic, deeply flavored result – Jacques Torres’ Secret Chocolate Chip Cookies are a remarkable and highly rewarding alternative. They have, in fact, momentarily dethroned Nestle’s as our family’s true ultimate favorite, though their significant refrigeration time for flavor development and large yield make them more of a grand project for special gatherings or when you need a generous stash of extraordinary cookies.

Expert Tips for Baking the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

Baking perfect chocolate chip cookies isn’t just about diligently following a recipe; it’s about understanding the subtle science and nuanced art behind it. Mastering a few key techniques and ingredient choices can elevate your homemade cookies from good to absolutely phenomenal. Here are some invaluable expert tips to ensure your cookies turn out exceptionally chewy, wonderfully flavorful, and utterly delightful every single time:

• Mastering the Trifecta of Chewiness: To consistently achieve those coveted chewy cookies, pay meticulous attention to three crucial elements: the specific ingredients you choose, the precise baking process you employ, and the exact baking time. Each component plays a vital, interconnected role in shaping the final texture and taste of your cookies.
• Boost Richness with an Extra Yolk: For an added layer of luxurious richness and an even more profound chewy texture, consider incorporating an extra egg yolk into your dough (in addition to the whole eggs specified). The additional fat from the yolk contributes significantly to a softer, denser crumb and a more opulent mouthfeel.
• PRO-Tip: Embrace Dark Brown Sugar for Unrivaled Moisture: This is a true game-changer in the pursuit of chewy perfection! Actively seek out recipes that specifically call for brown sugar, and ideally, dark brown sugar. The molasses content inherent in brown sugar is a natural humectant, meaning it draws in and remarkably retains moisture, resulting in cookies that are incredibly soft, moist, and delightfully chewy. If you only have light brown sugar on hand, you can easily create your own dark brown sugar by adding 1 tablespoon of molasses to every cup of light brown sugar and mixing it thoroughly.
• Butter for Superior Flavor and Texture: Always, without exception, opt for high-quality unsalted butter over shortening. Butter not only contributes an unparalleled, rich taste and enticing aroma but also plays a crucial role in the cookie’s desirable spread and tender texture. Ensure your butter is at perfect room temperature for optimal creaming, as this affects the aeration of your dough.
• PRO-Tip: Gentle Mixing is Key – Ditch the Mixer for Dry Ingredients and Chocolate! While a stand mixer is an excellent tool for efficiently creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy, resist the compelling urge to use it for mixing in the dry ingredients, and especially the chocolate. Over-mixing aerates the dough excessively, which can tragically lead to a cake-like consistency rather than the desired dense, chewy cookie. Furthermore, over-mixing vigorously develops the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tougher, less tender cookies. Instead, once the wet ingredients are combined, add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix *just* until combined (a few seconds on low speed or by hand), then fold in the chocolate chunks gently by hand with a sturdy spatula.
• Perfect Baking Time Prevents Dryness: The line between perfectly chewy and disappointingly crisp is incredibly thin, and often, only a minute or two in the oven. Over-baking is the primary culprit behind crisp, dry, and crumbly cookies. Watch intently for visual cues: the edges should be golden brown and appear set, while the centers still look slightly underdone and glossy. Remember, cookies continue to “cook” and firm up for a few minutes after they’re removed from the oven due to residual heat, so pulling them out a little early is essential for chewiness.
• Chill for Flavor and Texture (Optional but Highly Recommended): While not strictly required for this specific recipe, chilling your cookie dough for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight for enhanced depth) can significantly deepen the flavors, allowing the ingredients to meld beautifully, and create an even chewier texture. Cold dough also spreads less in the oven, contributing to thicker cookies.

Explore More Decadent Chocolate Cookie Recipes

If your love for chocolate cookies runs as deep and unwavering as ours, then you’re truly in for an extraordinary treat! Our kitchen is a constant hub of experimentation and creation when it comes to these universally beloved desserts, and we’ve meticulously gathered an enticing array of recipes to satisfy every conceivable chocolate craving. From innovative twists on traditional favorites to timeless classics that evoke nostalgic comfort, there’s always something new, exciting, and utterly delicious to discover. Expand your baking repertoire and delight your taste buds with these irresistible options, each promising a unique and memorable chocolate experience:

• Layered Chocolate Chip Cookies: A delightful and visually stunning surprise, offering intricate layers of chocolatey goodness in every bite.
• White Chocolate Chip Cookies with Dried Berries: A vibrant, elegant, and subtly fruity twist on the classic, perfect for a sophisticated palate.
• Killer Chocolate Chip Cookies: These cookies are bold, intensely chocolatey, and utterly irresistible, truly living up to their dramatic name.
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Experience the hearty, wholesome chewiness of oatmeal harmoniously blended with rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chunks.
• Chocolate Toffee Cookies: A delightful combination of a buttery, tender cookie base with the irresistible crunch and sweet depth of toffee bits.
• Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies: Another fantastic and highly rated option for those who cherish a substantial, incredibly soft, and wonderfully chewy cookie.
• Pizza Cookie AKA Pizookies: A giant, shareable cookie baked warm in a skillet, perfect for dessert with a scoop of ice cream – a truly fun and decadent treat!
• Discover even more incredible cookie creations and expand your baking horizons on our dedicated Cookie Recipes page, where a world of sweet possibilities awaits.

This post was originally shared in December 2013 and has been lovingly updated in 2019 to provide fresh insights, improved photography, and enhanced baking tips for our cherished readers. We continuously strive to bring you the best and most delicious recipes, ensuring our content remains timely and inspiring!

The Recipe:

Southern Living’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
14 minutes

Total Time
34 minutes

Yield
32 cookies

Discover Southern Living’s classic recipe for thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies, packed with generous amounts of chocolate for an unforgettable treat!

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate discs (or high-quality chocolate chips)

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and consistent baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar together at medium speed with the paddle attachment of a stand mixer until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy. This process can also be done effectively by hand with a sturdy whisk or wooden spoon.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until just blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is fully combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed *just* until blended. Be careful not to overmix; overworking the dough can lead to tough cookies.
5. Fold in Chocolate: Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate discs or chips by hand until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Scoop and Bake: Using a 2-tablespoon capacity cookie scoop (or simply roll generous balls of dough), place the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
7. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and set, but the centers still look slightly soft and gooey. This slight under-baking is key to achieving that desirable chewy texture.
8. Cool and Enjoy: Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This allows them to set properly and maintain their chewiness. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Recipe Source: This recipe is adapted from a beloved classic by Southern Living, ensuring a reliable and delicious outcome.

Dark Brown Sugar Substitute: If you don’t have dark brown sugar on hand, you can easily make your own. For every cup of light brown sugar, add 1 tablespoon of molasses. Mix thoroughly with your hands until the molasses is fully incorporated and the sugar is uniformly dark. Then, measure out the amount needed for the recipe.

Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.

Recommended Baking Essentials

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• Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheets Non-Stick Parchment Paper, 25 Sheet, 4 Count
• USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan
• KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red

Nutrition Information (Per Cookie):

Yield:

32 cookies

Serving Size:

1 cookie

Approximate Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 132Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 130mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 1g

Love this recipe? Share Your Creations!

We’d love to see your delicious results! Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo of your Southern Living’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies on Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag us and spread the cookie joy!