The Ultimate Soft & Chewy Double Chocolate Cookies: A Fudgy, Brownie-Like Dream

Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly soft and intensely chewy chocolate cookies. Boasting a deep, rich chocolate flavor and a delightfully fudgy, almost brownie-like texture, they are truly a dessert dream come true. This recipe has been a cherished family favorite for generations, bringing joy and satisfying the most intense chocolate cravings with every bite. We’re confident they’ll quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire too!

The versatility of these chocolate wonders is endless. Our family traditionally enjoys them in various delightful ways: transforming them into decadent ice cream sandwiches, topping them with fluffy marshmallows and a drizzle of melted chocolate for a gourmet treat, or simply savoring them just as they are – fresh from the oven with a delicate sprinkling of flaky sea salt or coarse sugar. Whichever way you choose to indulge, these cookies promise an unforgettable experience.

Beyond their irresistible softness and chewiness, what truly sets these cookies apart is their dense, profoundly chocolaty core. They don’t just satisfy a chocolate craving; they utterly conquer it, leaving you with a lingering, rich taste that keeps you coming back for more. Dive into the world of truly delicious homemade chocolate cookies!

Table of Contents

• Why These Are Your New Favorite Chocolate Cookies
• Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor
• Baking Bliss: No Chilling Required!
• Master Your Batch: Essential Cookie Baking Tips
• Creative Twists: Elevate Your Chocolate Cookies
• Serving Suggestions for Every Occasion
• Troubleshooting Common Cookie Issues
• Explore More Decadent Chocolate Cookie Recipes
• The Full Recipe: Soft and Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Why These Are Your New Favorite Chocolate Cookies

What makes these soft and chewy chocolate cookies stand out from the rest? It’s a combination of simple perfection and irresistible indulgence. Here’s why you’ll adore them:

• Unmatched Chocolate Flavor: We use unsweetened cocoa powder to ensure a deep, true chocolate taste that isn’t overly sweet. It’s the kind of rich flavor that chocolate lovers dream of.
• Perfect Brownie-Like Texture: Every bite delivers that ideal balance of a crisp edge, a wonderfully soft interior, and a satisfying chewiness that truly melts in your mouth, mimicking the best fudgy brownies.
• Effortless Baking, No Chilling Required: Say goodbye to long waiting times! This easy recipe allows you to whip up a batch of fresh-baked cookies in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for spontaneous cravings or last-minute dessert needs.
• Versatile Delight: Whether enjoyed plain, topped with a sprinkle of salt, or transformed into elaborate desserts, these cookies are a fantastic base for all your sweet creations.

Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor

One of the best things about these amazing soft and chewy chocolate cookies is that they rely on common pantry staples. You likely have everything you need in your kitchen right now to create this decadent treat!

• Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps achieve that tender texture. Make sure it’s at room temperature for proper creaming.
• Granulated sugar: Contributes to sweetness, encourages spread, and creates a crisp exterior while keeping the inside chewy.
• Eggs: Act as a binder, adding moisture and richness, and contributing to the chewy texture.
• Vanilla extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that deepens the chocolate notes. Don’t skip it!
• All-purpose flour: The structural base of our cookies. Proper measurement is key!
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: The star ingredient for that intense chocolate flavor. Using high-quality cocoa makes a noticeable difference.
• Baking soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies spread and become tender.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies all the other flavors, especially the chocolate.
• Flaky salt or coarse sugar: (Optional) For sprinkling, adding a beautiful finish and a delightful textural contrast.

Baking Bliss: No Chilling Required!

Forget the waiting game! These soft and chewy chocolate cookies are designed for immediate gratification. They are classic drop cookies, meaning the dough goes straight from mixing bowl to baking sheet, allowing you to enjoy warm, fresh-baked cookies in as little as 20 minutes. It’s the perfect recipe for when a chocolate craving strikes unexpectedly!

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: Start by beating room temperature butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ texture.
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. These wet ingredients bind everything together and add richness.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt separately, then gradually add them to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
4. Portion and Bake: Scoop the dough onto prepared baking sheets and bake immediately. There’s no need to chill, saving you precious time!

The simplicity of this process makes it incredibly rewarding. You’re just a few steps away from a batch of warm, intensely chocolaty cookies!

Master Your Batch: Essential Cookie Baking Tips

Achieving cookie perfection is easier than you think with these expert tips. Follow these guidelines to ensure your soft and chewy chocolate cookies turn out beautifully every single time:

• Butter Temperature is Key: Your unsalted butter should be perfectly at room temperature. This means it’s soft enough to leave a slight indent when pressed with a finger, but not so soft that your finger goes straight through or it appears shiny and greasy. If the butter is too warm or melted, your cookies may spread excessively and become flat.
• Measure Flour Correctly: This is a game-changer! An incorrect flour measurement is a common culprit for dry, tough cookies or cookies that don’t spread. Always use the “spoon and level” method: lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level it off with a straight edge (like the back of a knife). For ultimate precision, a kitchen scale is recommended. Learn more about correct flour measurement here.
• Invest in Parchment Paper: For easy cleanup and perfectly baked cookies, lining your baking sheets with pre-cut parchment sheets is a lifesaver. It prevents sticking and promotes even baking.
• Uniformity with a Cookie Scoop: To ensure all your cookies bake evenly and have a consistent appearance, use a cookie scoop to portion your dough. I typically use a medium #40 (1.5 Tbsp) or a large #20 (3 Tbsp) scoop. Remember to adjust baking times if you opt for the larger scoop.
• Reshape While Warm: If any cookies come out of the oven looking slightly misshapen, don’t fret! Immediately after removing them from the oven, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently push the edges back into a perfect circle. Discover more tips for baking picture-perfect cookies.
• Freeze Cookie Dough for Later: These cookies are so good, you’ll want them on demand! Luckily, cookie dough freezes exceptionally well. Scoop the dough portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
• Proper Storage: Once baked and cooled, store your soft and chewy chocolate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for about a week, though they are always best enjoyed within a few days of baking.

Creative Twists: Elevate Your Chocolate Cookies

While these soft and chewy chocolate cookies are utterly perfect on their own, they also serve as a fantastic canvas for your creativity! Here are a few ideas to customize your batch:

• Chocolate Chip Overload: Fold in a cup of your favorite chocolate chips (milk, dark, white, or a mix!) during the last step of mixing the dry ingredients into the wet.
• Nutty Crunch: Add ½ to 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a delightful textural contrast. Toasting the nuts beforehand will enhance their flavor.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cayenne pepper (¼ teaspoon) can add a subtle, warming kick that beautifully complements the chocolate. Cinnamon or espresso powder can also deepen the flavor profile.
• Extract Variations: Experiment with different extracts! Peppermint extract creates a festive holiday cookie, almond extract adds a sophisticated touch, or a hint of orange extract brightens the chocolate flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Every Occasion

These soft and chewy chocolate cookies are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in countless ways, making them perfect for any time of day or special occasion:

• Classic Milk Pairing: There’s nothing quite like a tall, cold glass of milk to accompany these rich chocolate cookies.
• Coffee or Tea Companion: Their intense chocolate flavor makes them an ideal partner for your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as a late-night treat with a warm beverage.
• Decadent Ice Cream Sandwiches: As a family tradition, sandwich your favorite ice cream flavor between two cookies for an ultimate homemade dessert. Vanilla bean, mint chip, or coffee ice cream are particularly delicious choices.
• Gourmet S’mores: Top them with a toasted marshmallow and a square of chocolate for an indoor s’mores experience.
• Cookie Crumbles: Crumble cooled cookies over ice cream sundaes, yogurt, or in parfaits for an added layer of texture and chocolate flavor.
• Dessert Platter Star: Arrange them on a platter with other small treats for parties, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.

Troubleshooting Common Cookie Issues

Even with the simplest recipes, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are solutions to common cookie problems:

• Cookies didn’t spread enough/are too thick:
  • Too much flour: This is the most common reason! Refer to the “Measure Flour Correctly” tip above. Using a kitchen scale or the spoon-and-level method is crucial.
  • Butter was too cold: Ensure your butter is at room temperature. Cold butter won’t cream properly, leading to a stiffer dough.
  • Oven temperature too low: An underheated oven can cause cookies to set before they have a chance to spread. Invest in an oven thermometer to verify your oven’s accuracy.
• Cookies spread too much/are too flat:
  • Butter was too warm/melted: Greasy, overly soft butter will cause cookies to spread excessively. If your kitchen is warm, chill the dough for 10-15 minutes before baking.
  • Too little flour: Not enough flour means less structure, leading to flatter cookies. Double-check your measurements.
  • Oven temperature too high: A hot oven can cause butter to melt too quickly, leading to spread. Again, an oven thermometer helps!
• Cookies are hard or dry:
  • Overbaked: Baking for too long will dry out cookies. Watch for the edges to be set and the centers to just barely lose their wet sheen. They will continue to set as they cool.
  • Too much flour: See the note about correct flour measurement.
  • Over-mixed dough: Over-mixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined when adding dry ingredients.
• Dough is crumbly and won’t come together:
  • Too much flour: This almost always points back to inaccurate flour measurement.
  • Not enough liquid/fat: Ensure all liquid ingredients (eggs, vanilla) and butter are measured correctly.
  • Cold ingredients: If eggs or butter are too cold, they won’t incorporate well.

Explore More Decadent Chocolate Cookie Recipes

If you’re a true chocolate enthusiast, you’ll love exploring these other irresistible chocolate cookie recipes from our collection:

• Spicy Chili Chocolate Cookies: A thrilling blend of sweet and heat.
• Chocolate Hugs Cookies: Classic chocolate cookies topped with a melty Hershey’s Hug.
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Fudgy, cake-like cookies with a beautiful powdered sugar coating.
• Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies: A delightful combination of chewy cookie and gooey marshmallow, enrobed in chocolate.

This beloved recipe was originally published in 2014 and has been continually perfected and enjoyed by countless home bakers since.

The Full Recipe: Soft and Chewy Chocolate Cookies

4.72 from 179 reviews

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 9 minutes mins

Total Time: 19 minutes mins

These soft and chewy chocolate cookies are dense and intensely chocolaty, offering a rich, brownie-like texture that’s simply irresistible.

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Ingredients

 

• ▢ ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter , at room temperature
• ▢ 1 ½ cup (300 grams) granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour , measured correctly (see Notes)
• ▢ ⅔ cup (60 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ Coarse sugar or salt , for sprinkling (optional)

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Equipment

Electric mixer

Medium Cookie Scoop

Baking sheet pan

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 4 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract.
• In a separate medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps prevent lumps and ensures even distribution. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixer, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
• Using a medium #40 (1.5 Tbsp) cookie scoop, portion the dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared sheet pan, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading.
• Bake for approximately 9 minutes, or until the edges appear crisp and the tops are just barely set (no longer wet or glossy in the center). Baking times can vary based on your oven and the size of your cookies, so keep a close eye on them!
• Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, sprinkle them with coarse sugar or flaky sea salt, if desired. If any cookies are slightly misshapen, use the back of a spatula or a round cookie cutter larger than the cookie to gently push their edges back into a perfect circle while they are still hot. Allow them to cool on the baking pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Repeat the baking process with the remaining cookie dough. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week for optimal freshness (if they last that long!).

Video

Notes

• Measure flour correctly! Many common baking issues, such as cookies not spreading enough, being too thick, or the dough feeling dry and crumbly, can often be attributed to adding too much flour. It is highly recommended to use a kitchen scale for precise measurement (1 cup all-purpose flour typically weighs 120 grams). If you don’t have a scale, always use the “spoon and level” method when using measuring cups. Never scoop flour directly from the bag with your measuring cup, as this compacts the flour and results in too much being used.

Calories: 192kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 102mg, Potassium: 97mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 201IU, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Annalise Sandberg

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