Name: Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks; 1/2 teaspoon salt

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Sweet Family Favorite

There’s something undeniably magical about the scent of warm, freshly baked cookies wafting through your home. Imagine walking into your kitchen, where the sweet, buttery aroma beckons you, enticing your taste buds in an embrace of nostalgia. These Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies are thick, chewy, and packed with gooey chocolate chunks that melt in your mouth with every delightful bite. This recipe is not only a crowd-pleaser for gatherings but also a perfect choice for cozy family weeknights. Allowing your little ones to help mix the dough or shape the cookies transforms an ordinary evening into quality bonding time filled with laughter and joy. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to create a batch of these irresistible cookies!

Understanding this Recipe

While the classic chocolate chip cookie has American roots, its appeal knows no borders; it has inspired countless variations worldwide. This recipe captures the essence of a home-baked treat that feels like a warm hug with its buttery dough and rich chocolate chunks, instantly bringing smiles to faces young and old alike. During family gatherings or at holiday parties, giant cookies are often the centerpiece that draws everyone together, creating a delightful experience filled with conversations and happy munching. Even better, baking these cookies is a straightforward process; you don’t need to be a seasoned chef to impress your family or friends.

What’s fantastic about this recipe is that it allows you to customize flavors and textures while still achieving that classic cookie experience. Thick, soft, and warm, these cookies can be enhanced with a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-and-salty contrast, or you can swap in dark chocolate for a deeper flavor profile. Each variation not only adds a unique twist to the cookie but also keeps your baking game fresh and exciting!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ease of preparation: This recipe is beginner-friendly, with simple steps and readily available ingredients, allowing anyone to whip up a delicious batch in no time.
Flavor complexity: The combination of brown sugar and vanilla creates a rich depth of flavor, making each bite a decadent experience.
Family-friendly or kid-approved: These giant cookies are perfect for all ages, and kids love to be involved in the baking process, making it a fun family activity.
Budget-friendly or ingredient flexibility: Most ingredients are pantry staples; feel free to substitute with what you have on hand, like using oatmeal or nuts for added texture.

Your Guide to Making Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies at Home

Quick Overview

Creating giant chocolate chip cookies is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. This recipe requires basic kitchen tools such as mixing bowls, a whisk, baking sheets, and parchment paper. The total prep time is around 20 minutes, with baking taking about 15-20 minutes for perfectly golden edges and gooey chocolate middles.

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure and texture. You can substitute with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and provides a lighter texture.
1 cup unsalted butter (softened): The fat that makes cookies chewy and contributes to their rich flavor.
3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight crunch.
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed): Provides moisture and a caramel-like flavor.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Elevates the cookie’s flavor profile.
2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks: The star of the cookies that brings ooey-gooey goodness!
1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). As the oven warms up, the anticipation of biting into a fresh cookie builds, filling your kitchen with comforting warmth.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. This step is vital: mixing ensures an even distribution of the leavening agent, preventing any cookie from being flat and dense.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Use a hand mixer or a whisk, and you’ll see it transform into a creamy, pale mixture that’s a treat to both see and smell.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined, enjoying the sweet aroma blooming even more with the addition of vanilla.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined—avoid over-mixing to ensure your cookies remain soft and chewy.
Fold in the chocolate chunks. This is where it gets indulgent—picture yourself sweeping through the gooey chocolate pieces, ensuring every cookie gets its fair share of chocolate deliciousness.
Scoop large portions of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space in between for them to spread. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft—this is when the magic happens!

What Goes Well With Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

Serving these giant chocolate chip cookies is just as delightful as baking them! They’re perfect on their own, but pair beautifully with a glass of chilled milk, accentuating the creamy chocolate flavors. A scoop of vanilla ice cream served on the side can turn your cookie into an unforgettable dessert experience, especially on warm days. Additionally, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce over the top adds an indulgent twist that your family will rave about.

Pro Tips for the Best Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

The key to perfect cookies lies in technique, and there are a few things you can do to elevate your baking game.

Chill your dough: For a thicker cookie, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This prevents overspreading and leads to a sturdier chew.
Use a mix of chocolate types: Combining semi-sweet, dark, and milk chocolate intensifies the flavor and gives different textures.
Invest in good quality vanilla extract: Pure vanilla enhances the overall flavor, while imitation versions might lack depth.
Store in an airtight container: To retain freshness, store leftover cookies in a well-sealed container at room temperature for up to a week.

Optional Section: Kid-Friendly Version

To tailor your giant chocolate chip cookies for kids, consider incorporating festive shapes using cookie cutters or adding fun toppings like sprinkles or colorful candy bits. You could also create sandwich cookies with frosting or use chocolate chips in fun, vibrant colors to make them visually appealing. Letting kids help in the kitchen can inspire a love for baking and create cherished memories.

Storing and Reheating Tips

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to minimize moisture exposure. When properly stored, they can last up to a week at room temperature. You can also refrigerate them for extra freshness but allow them to come to room temperature before enjoying for the best taste experience.

If you find yourself with leftovers, reheating is straightforward. Just pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to restore that gooey center, or place them in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag, allowing them to keep for up to three months. When you crave a sweet treat, reheat straight from the freezer for a warm, freshly baked experience!

FAQs

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

Q: Can I substitute ingredients?
Certainly! If you’re out of eggs, you can substitute each egg with 1/4 cup applesauce or mashed bananas. You can also use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.

Q: How do I know when the cookies are done?
Cookies should be golden around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. They’ll continue to firm as they cool out of the oven.

Q: Can I add nuts or dried fruits?
Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or dried fruits (such as cranberries or raisins) to enhance flavors and textures.

Conclusion

These Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a treat; they’re an experience that brings families together and fills kitchens with warmth and laughter. Perfect for any occasion—from weeknight cravings to weekend baking with your loved ones—the features of these cookies will leave everyone asking for more. You’ll love their chewy centers, rich chocolate, and that delightful sense of accomplishment after baking a golden batch from scratch. Try it tonight and let me know how it turned out!

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

Print Recipe

Thick, chewy, and packed with gooey chocolate chunks, these giant chocolate chip cookies are perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknights.

Author: hannah-reed
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chunks.
Scoop large portions of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space to spread.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are golden but centers are still soft.