Description
This Best Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie is the ultimate treat for chocolate lovers, combining a perfectly chewy center with a crisp, golden-brown edge. Made with a rich dough loaded with generous amounts of semi-sweet chocolate chips, each bite offers the perfect balance of sweetness and decadence. Baked into a large, shareable cookie, it’s ideal for satisfying a crowd or indulging in a big, delicious dessert moment. Whether served warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoyed on its own, this cookie is a showstopper in both taste and size!
Ingredients
Scale
To make the Best Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 2 tablespoons milk or water (optional, for adjusting the consistency)
- A pinch of sea salt for topping (optional)
Ingredient Highlights
- Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: Combining brown sugar with granulated sugar gives the cookie its soft, chewy texture while contributing a rich caramel flavor from the brown sugar.
- Butter: The key to a perfectly soft and chewy giant cookie. Make sure to use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness.
- Chocolate Chips: High-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips bring the signature sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture to the cookie.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness, rounding out the flavor profile of the cookie.
- Nuts (Optional): Chopped walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch, but they are completely optional if you prefer a nut-free cookie.
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to make the Best Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie:
Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure that the cookie does not stick and bakes evenly.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cookie tough.
- Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Nuts (Optional): Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts or pecans, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Shape the Cookie:
- Shape the Dough: Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Using your hands or a spatula, spread the dough out into a large circle. Aim for a diameter of about 8-10 inches, as the cookie will spread while baking. If you prefer, you can make a slightly smaller or larger cookie, adjusting the baking time accordingly.
- Sprinkle with Sea Salt (Optional): For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the dough before baking. This contrast in flavor enhances the sweetness of the chocolate chips.
Bake the Cookie:
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is just set but slightly soft. If the center is still too gooey for your preference, you can extend the baking time by a few more minutes.
- Cool: Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. The cookie will continue to set as it cools.
Cut and Serve:
- Cut into Slices: Once the cookie has cooled slightly, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice it into wedges or squares. Serve immediately or store for later.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8-10
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Protein: 4g