• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Barbara Bakes™
  • Home
  • About
  • Info
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Breads
  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Ice Cream
    • Pastry
    • All Desserts »
  • Main Dishes
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Pasta
    • Meatless
    • All Main Dishes »
  • Side Dishes & Vegetables
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Recipes » Desserts » Cookies

    Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Published by Melissa on April 18, 2020 | Updated May 21, 2025 | 114 Comments

    FacebookPinterest
    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden Image

    If you like soft, chewy cookies, these thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies are for you. Brown sugar and higher oven temperature is the secret to thick, soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies every time.

    Thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies rest on a black tray, with two on napkins—one partially eaten. Scattered chocolate chips and a bottle of milk complete the scene on a light textured surface.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    With all the baking I do, I know that there are a lot of chocolate chip cookie recipes out there. This one, in particular, makes super soft, chewy, thick cookies that are exactly what I look for in a cookie. 

    The ingredients are similar compared to all of the other recipes, but the secret to achieving the perfect combination of thick, soft, and chewy is in the type of sugar used in this recipe and the perfect cookie baking temperature.

    The end result is what I consider the perfect thick and chewy chocolate chip cookie. I definitely belong to the soft and chewy crowd and if you do too, you’re going to love this recipe!

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love These Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • How to Make Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Expert Tips
    • Storing Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • My Other Favorite Chewy Cookie Recipes to Try
    • More Amazing Cookie Recipes to Try
    • Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
    A few indulgent, thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies, fresh from the oven, are displayed on a baking sheet with one enticingly bitten on a napkin. The words Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies tempt sweet lovers, complete with a direct URL for more delights.

    Why You’ll Love These Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • Perfect Trifecta: This cookie recipe brings together what I consider the ideal finished cookie form — soft, thick, and chewy. It’s a classic favorite cookie type for pretty much all cookie fans.
    • Pantry Ingredients: Since I keep these ingredients stocked in my fridge and pantry at all times, this is an easy cookie recipe to throw together even at the last minute. If needed, switch out the type of chips used and change up or leave out the nuts entirely.
    • Easy Recipe: I love basic recipes because after you make them a couple of times you can practically do it in your sleep! These cookies come together so quickly, and you can have the first round of finished cookies ready to munch in less than 30 minutes.

    🍪 When in doubt about what treat to take to a gathering, I’m always confident that homemade chocolate chip cookies will please the masses!

    Recipe Ingredients

    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking soda
    • Salt
    • Unsalted butter
    • Brown sugar
    • Eggs
    • Vanilla
    • Semisweet chocolate chips
    • Pecans

    See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Ingredients for making thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies.

    How to Make Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    If you’ve made chocolate chip cookies before, the steps in this recipe will look familiar.

    Step 1: Before you get started, take out the butter and let it come up to room temperature. 

    Pro Tip: To bring your butter to room temperature faster, slice it into tablespoons and put it in your bowl to warm up while you’re measuring your other ingredients.

    Step 2: As in most recipes, you’ll start by combining the dry ingredients.

    Step 3: Then, I like to use my stand mixer with a paddle attachment to cream the butter and sugar together. This should take about 2 minutes. You’ll know the creaming is done when the butter is light and fluffy. 

    If you don’t have a paddle attachment or a stand mixer, you can get the job done with a hand mixer or by hand, it will just take a little longer and a little more elbow grease. 

    A collage of step by step photos of making chocolate chip cookie dough batter.

    Step 4: Combine everything together and fold in the chocolate chips. You can also add nuts here if you like. I like pecans, but walnuts would also be great.

    Step 5: At this point, you can chill the dough for 20 to 30 minutes. This helps keep the cookies from spreading out as much when you bake them, but it’s not required for perfectly chewy cookies. 

    A collage of step by step photos of portioning out chocolate chip cookie dough batter; chocolate chip cookies on baking trays before and after baking.

    Step 6: When you’re ready to bake, scoop the dough onto a baking sheet. I love using this #40 disher to scoop perfectly sized cookies. Each cookie is about 1.5 tablespoons of dough. 

    Step 7: Bake until the cookies are lightly browned and no longer wet in the center, 6 to 8 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.

    Take the cookies out of the oven 1 or 2 minutes before the cookies are cooked, as they will continue to cook on the baking pans.

    Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring cookies to racks to cool completely before serving.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I substitute regular granulated sugar for brown sugar in this recipe?

    No, brown sugar is an absolute must for this recipe! Brown sugar has a higher moisture content than granulated sugar, which helps keep your homemade cookies thick and chewy rather than thin and crispy.  Plus, the brown sugar helps these cookies brown up faster. That means that even with our shorter cooking time, the cookies gain their signature toasted brown color on top. 

    Can I freeze these cookies?

    Absolutely! Both the dough and baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag.

    Why are my cookies spreading too much?

    This usually happens when the butter is too soft. Try chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking, and make sure your baking sheets are cool between batches.

    Expert Tips

    • Room Temp: Room temperature ingredients are crucial – set out your butter and eggs at least an hour before baking.
    • Tender Cookies: Don’t overmix once you add the flour – this keeps your cookies tender and prevents them from becoming tough.
    • Perfect Size: Use a cookie scoop if you have one – it ensures even sizing and perfectly round cookies.
    • How Long To Bake Cookies: The 1-2 minute early removal from the oven is crucial for achieving that perfect chewy texture. Trust the process, even if they look slightly underdone!
    Thick, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies on a platter with a mini jug of milk.

    Storing Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Store your chocolate chip cookies in a Ziploc bag at room temperature.

    Like most cookies, thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies stay fresh longer if frozen. If you’re not planning to inhale all the cookies within a day or two, let the cookies cool fully before storing them in a sealed container in the freezer. They’ll keep for several months.

    I like to let them defrost on the counter for a few hours, or overnight, before serving.  

    My Other Favorite Chewy Cookie Recipes to Try

    Chocolate chip aren’t the only recipe for thick and chewy cookies! Try these other popular cookie recipes: 

    • Fudgy Chocolate Sixlet Cookies are always a winner on Valentine’s Day, but I love them all year long. 
    • Chocolate Marshmallow Surprise Cookies are fudgy and brownie-like with a gooey and soft marshmallow on top. And don’t forget the chocolate icing!
    • Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies take the choc chip cookies up a notch, adding a special twist to make them taste especially delicious.
    Thick, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies on a platter with a mini jug of milk.

    More Amazing Cookie Recipes to Try

    • Four large chocolate chip cookies on a sheet of parchment paper in a rectangular baking pan, resting on a wooden surface.
      Bakery Style Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Chocolate cookies topped with red heart-shaped sprinkles and pastel candies, arranged on a white surface. These decorated Valentine Day cookies feature a cracked texture and a festive, heart-filled theme perfect for celebrating love.
      Decorated Valentine’s Day Cookies
    • Three chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich rolled in colorful rainbow sprinkles, are stacked on top of each other against a white background.
      Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
    • Lofthouse cookies recipe topped with swirled pink frosting and colorful rainbow sprinkles are cooling on a wire rack set on a striped cloth.
      Lofthouse Cookies Recipe

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email below and we will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you will get great new recipes from us every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading
    Thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies rest on a black tray, with two on napkins—one partially eaten. Scattered chocolate chips and a bottle of milk complete the scene on a light textured surface.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    4.30 from 41 votes

    Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    If you like soft, chewy cookies, these thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies are for you. Brown sugar and higher oven temperature is the secret to thick, soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies every time.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time8 minutes mins
    Total Time18 minutes mins
    Servings: 36 cookies
    Calories: 191kcal
    Author: Melissa Griffiths
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Ingredients 

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
    • 1 ½ cups brown sugar firmly packed
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup chopped pecans optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400º F.
    • In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar, on medium speed, until well blended. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add flour mixture; mix just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans, if using. (Optional: cover dough and chill 20 – 30 minutes.)
    • Drop dough in 2-tablespoon portions, 2 inches apart, onto baking pans. Bake until the cookies are lightly browned and no longer wet in the center, 6 to 8 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.
    • Take the cookies out of the oven 1 or 2 minutes before the cookies are cooked, as they will continue to cook on the baking pans.
    • Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring cookies to racks to cool completely before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    • Room temperature ingredients are crucial – set out your butter and eggs at least an hour before baking.
    • Don’t overmix once you add the flour – this keeps your cookies tender and prevents them from becoming tough.
    • Use a cookie scoop if you have one – it ensures even sizing and perfectly round cookies.
    • The 1-2 minute early removal from the oven is crucial for achieving that perfect chewy texture. Trust the process, even if they look slightly underdone!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 103mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
    FacebookPinterest
    « Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe – Twisted Coffee Cake Perfection
    How To Decorate a Cake without Buttercream »
    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.30 from 41 votes (40 ratings without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Christa

      May 04, 2011 at 9:32 pm

      you really do have some of the best recipes! thick and chewy is EXACTLY how chocolate chip cookies should be!!!
      xo,
      Mini Baker

      Reply
    2. shawn @ chicks dig coupons

      May 04, 2011 at 7:49 pm

      I like thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies! And milk with mine please!

      Great recipe!

      Reply
    3. Juliana

      May 04, 2011 at 3:08 pm

      This is my kind of cookie, soft and chewy, almost like a cake…yours look delicious, can I have one Barbara? Hope you having a wonderful week 🙂

      Reply
    4. Rocky Mountain Woman

      May 04, 2011 at 2:27 pm

      chewy…all the time

      and, warm..oh yeah and with a glass of milk…

      need a cookie now!

      Reply
    5. teresa

      May 04, 2011 at 1:58 pm

      oh yum, chocolate chip cookies are one of my favorite treats! these look so good.

      Reply
    6. Joy

      May 04, 2011 at 8:08 am

      I love love your recipe. It looks so good.

      Reply
    7. marla {family fresh cooking}

      May 04, 2011 at 7:24 am

      Thick and chewy grab me big time!! What I would do for some of these chocolatey cookies this morning.

      Reply
    8. Neal Morgan

      May 04, 2011 at 7:18 am

      soft a chewy for me too. Hard is o.k if that’s all their is but sort and chewy rule.

      Reply
    9. Faith

      May 04, 2011 at 5:59 am

      I’m definitely a soft and chewy person! Thanks for the recipe, I’ll definitely be trying it!

      Reply
    10. Anna Johnston

      May 04, 2011 at 5:12 am

      I’ve got to try these too…, oh boy…, so tempted by a good chewy cookie (I’ve just finished baking some chocolate & peanut cookies – now I’m wanting to make these) 🙂

      Reply
    11. Esther x3baking

      May 04, 2011 at 12:24 am

      These sound perfect! They remind me of the America’s Test Kitchen thick and chewy cc cookies.

      Reply
    12. Angie's Recipes

      May 03, 2011 at 11:15 pm

      Love chewy cookies, thin or thick! Those look so great with chocolate chips.

      Reply
    13. Lynda

      May 03, 2011 at 9:31 pm

      I’m all for the thick and chewy cookies, but I wouldn’t turn down a thin one either. 🙂
      Very interesting about the temperatures differences.

      Reply
    14. Betty @ scrambled henfruit

      May 03, 2011 at 8:53 pm

      I’m in the soft and chewy crowd as well- these look great! I’m always willing to try a new chocolate chip recipe. 🙂

      Reply
    15. Jamie

      May 03, 2011 at 8:15 pm

      I prefer thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies. I will definitely try this recipe and method. I wish I could grab a cookie off your plate right now. They look sooooo good!

      Reply
    16. sweetlife

      May 03, 2011 at 8:08 pm

      soft and chewy all the way..great recipe..I love trying out new cookies with my girls

      sweetlife

      Reply
    17. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

      May 03, 2011 at 6:52 pm

      Mum you are the cookie queen! I bet my “siblings” are the most popular kids on the street with the goodies that emerge from your oven! 😀 xxx

      Reply
    18. Paula

      May 03, 2011 at 6:44 pm

      Thick, soft and chewy is my preference but if there were only crisp and thin ones around I wouldn’t say no. Both batches look great 🙂

      Reply
    19. Barbara

      May 03, 2011 at 5:45 pm

      Thanks for letting me know there was a problem with the instructions. I did change it up just a little bit. I always like to mix the dry ingredients together before starting the creaming process. All fixed now. Can’t wait to see how you like them!

      Reply
    20. Kathy - Cooking On the Side

      May 03, 2011 at 5:26 pm

      Oops – looks like the first instruction might be missing, where you make the butter mixture (yes, I fired up the oven and decided to make these *right now*!).

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Melissa and Barbara smiling

    Baking made easy! Sharing fabulous recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, breads and more. Barbara Bakes (and Melissa too!) Recipes from both of our kitchens to yours.

    Learn More »

    Popular Posts

    A layered Mexican-style dish inspired by a classic mexican pizza recipe, topped with melted cheese, chopped tomatoes, green onions, and sour cream, served on a white plate on a red-striped placemat.

    Homemade Mexican Pizza Recipe

    A bowl of Italian white bean soup topped with grated cheese sits elegantly on a marble surface. The flavorful mix includes white beans and greens. A second bowl peeks from the background, accompanied by a block of cheese and a shiny gold spoon for added elegance.

    Delicious and Easy Italian White Bean Soup

    Lemon Bar Cookie Cup Bitten

    Lemon Bar Cookie Cups

    Lemon-Blueberry-Quick-Bread-With-Streusel-Topping. Kind of a cross between a blueberry muffin and a blueberry coffee cake.

    The Best Blueberry Lemon Quick Bread Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Press

    Browse

    • Recipe Index
    • Popular
    • Baking Tips
    • Travel

    Subscribe

    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon affiliate, and affiliate with other businesses, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 barbarabakes.com. All rights reserved. DISCLOSURE - PRIVACY POLICY.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.