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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Dessert

Cook's Illustrated Chocolate Chip Cookies

Published: Aug 20, 2012 · Modified: Sep 2, 2019 by Anna 42 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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Cook's Illustrated Chocolate Chip Cookies are the best cookies you will ever make. Perfectly crispy on the edges and chewy in the center, these cookies are bound to become your favorite!

Side shot of chocolate chip cookies stacked on each other, one leaning over a cup.

COOK'S ILLUSTRATED PERFECT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you the perfect chocolate chip cookie. In flavor, texture and look. The folks at Cook's Illustrated know what they are doing. Their recipes never disappoint me. That's why I was super excited to try this one. It's even called "the perfect chocolate chip cookie"!

These cookies are the most beautiful cookies I have ever made. They have a crunchy ring on the outside and deliciously chewy inside. The outer layer is crunchy too, leading you to the melty gooey center.

A girl in princess dress holding a chocolate chip cookie in hands.

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 Note on the bread flour:

I used bread flour instead of all-purpose one, and I know it adds to the chewiness of these cookies. You can try either way. These cookies are simply perfect! They will be scrumptious and before you know it, only crumbs will remain on your plate. Yum yum!

MORE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES RECIPES:

Alton Brown's Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Waffle Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frozen Yogurt

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

COOK'S ILLUSTRATED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES RECIPE:

 

Cook’s Illustrated Chocolate Chip Cookies

Author: Anna
Cook's Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver in every way: flavor, texture and looks! You can find the original recipe in Cook’s Illustrated May/June 2009 issue. www.crunchycreamysweet.com
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 27 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18 large cookies
Calories 288 kcal
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 ¾ c all-purpose flour or bread flour see note
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 14 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½ c granulated sugar
  • ¾ c packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 ¼ c semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
  • ¾ c chopped pecans or walnuts toasted (optional - I skipped them )

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan, heat 10 tablespoons of butter, until it starts to brown and smell nutty.
  • Take off the heat, cool for 2 minutes, then pour into a large mixing bowl of your stand mixer.
  • Combine egg and egg yolk in a measuring cup, do not beat. Set next to mixer.
  • Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the browned butter and stir until melted.
  • Add both sugars, salt and vanilla extract. Mix for 30 seconds.
  • Add eggs and mix for 30 seconds.
  • Let the mixture rest for 3 minutes.
  • Mix again for 30 seconds.
  • Let rest for 3 minutes.
  • Repeat the process until your mixture is thick and pale.
  • Whisk baking soda with flour.
  • Switch to rubber spatula and fold in the flour and soda.
  • Add chocolate chips and gently fold in.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, foil or silpat.
  • Scoop the dough with a tablespoon, placing 6 mounds of it on a sheet.
  • Bake for 10 - 12 minutes.
  • Cool for 1 minute on a baking sheet.
  • Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

I used bread flour instead all-purpose flour the original recipe calls for. If you use the later one, your cookies may not be as chewy but they will still be perfect!

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Comments

    5 from 1 vote

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ashley says

    August 22, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    Well, I didn't realize it wasn't in there until I got to adding the flour. I put things away as I go and had one ingredient left! The cookies turned out very good! They definitely flattened out more and don't look as firm as yours. Still excellent and very fast. I wonder If it was adding the soda at the wrong time, or if it's that I didn't do as many rounds at mixing and letting rest. I ended up with 20 though and only have 5 lefts after i had made them for company and my husband got home so they were a success! The browned butter just gave a very unique flavor. Great recipe! Thanks for responding back!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 23, 2012 at 10:37 am

      Yay! I am so glad you liked them, Ashley! They do have a tendency to disappear fast 🙂

      Reply
  2. Minnie@thelady8home says

    August 22, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    I hope you feel better soon! Those cookies look delicious, but then all godies in your blog are absolutely delightful :))

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 23, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Awww, you are so sweet, Minnie 🙂 It's always great to have you stop by! xo

      Reply
  3. Ashley says

    August 22, 2012 at 10:34 am

    I must be missing something, where is the baking soda going in? I just guessed and just took my first batch out of the oven. I hope I guesses right!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 22, 2012 at 11:20 am

      Hi Ashley! So sorry for the confusion. Baking soda goes into the flour and then butter mixture. I corrected the post. Hope you are enjoying the cookies!

      Reply
  4. Marina {YummyMummyKitchen.com} says

    August 21, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    Behold! The perfect cookie! Honestly, there is nothing better than a chocolate chip cookie and these look perfect. I love the shot of your princess holding it. We need to have a playdate - just today someone at Trader Joe's asked if my daughter was on her way to ballet in her tutu - I was like, "Noooo, this is the regular wardrobe in our house." 🙂

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 22, 2012 at 11:22 am

      That sounds fabulous, Marina! Our girls could play dress up and I could learn food styling from you! PS: I always swoon over your girls' photos!

      Reply
  5. Anna @ hiddenponies says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    These sound absolutely amazing! I can't wait to try them...right after I try your cookie dough fro yo tomorrow 🙂 Hope you feel better soon!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 23, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Thank you so much, Anna! I hope you enjoyed the fro yo! 🙂 xo

      Reply
  6. Ramona says

    August 21, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    Dear Anna, so sorry to hear you are under the weather. I hope feel better soon!! I can't believe you took the time to bake these gorgeous cookies while you were ill. I love how you described that they are both crispy and chewy... that's a perfect cookie!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 23, 2012 at 10:43 am

      Thank you so much, my friend! They truly are perfect. 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  7. Laurie {Simply Scratch} says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Perfect indeed!! Love those little hands holding the cookies 🙂

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks, Laurie 🙂

      Reply
  8. Terry says

    August 21, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Those do look amazing! Glad to hear you will continue to share more ccc recipes.

    Nominated you for the Liebster Award. Stop by and check it out.

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 2:58 pm

      Aww, thanks, Terry 🙂

      Reply
  9. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says

    August 21, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Oh I am so very sorry to hear you are sick...but I will say the cookies look wonderful and there is no better way to dress them up then with a young girl in a princess dress.

    The photo is just fantastic.

    I hope you feel better. Drink plenty of fluids and try to eat some chicken soup of veggie soup (broth based) to get you back up and at 'em.

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 3:00 pm

      Aww, thank you, Rachel 🙂 You are so sweet! I have to say, chicken noodle soup never sounded so good as it does now! 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  10. Sandra's Easy Cooking says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Oh no...I am sorry about the flu, but I have been sick as well with crazy cough that won't go away..
    Now those cookies look amazing...nothing beats homemade creamy, crunchy CCC:))
    I hope you feel better soon, Anna!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Thank you so much, Sandra! I am really going to ask my Hubby to make me one of your pasta recipes. I am craving some comfort food 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  11. Jen @ Savory Simple says

    August 21, 2012 at 8:20 am

    I love Cooks Illustrated! You know you're making a recipe that's truly tested and the best.

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Well said, Jen! Thank you! PS: Love your avocado cream recipe!! xoxo

      Reply
  12. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    August 21, 2012 at 12:24 am

    Hi Anna! I'm sorry to hear you are down with flu! In this summer time? Poor thing... I hope these delicious cookies gave you some comfort and cheered you up a bit. I love the picture of your princess holding the gigantic cookie. Get well soon!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 10:37 am

      Hi Nami! Thank you so much! Making these cookies made me feel a bit better although I couldn't eat more than a small bite... Looks like I will have to make them again 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  13. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says

    August 20, 2012 at 11:55 pm

    The quest for the "perfect" chocolate chip cookie is never ending, isn't it? These look wonderful. I feel a hint of envy as most often, my chocolate chip cookies spread out too much. Any other kind of cookie turns out thick and chewy, but for some reason, I rarely achieve that goal with the chocolate chip variety. Perhaps this recipe will save me?

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 10:25 am

      I usually have the opposite problem, they stay thick and fluffy 🙂 Spreading is tied to amount of butter. But these cookies are truly perfect - I hope you do try them! Thank you, Amanda! xoxo

      Reply
  14. Jessica says

    August 20, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well! 🙁 I wish I could come over and watch the kiddos so that you could get some uninterrupted rest!

    These look like the perfect chocolate chip cookie! Crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside is the best!!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 10:22 am

      Awww, you are so sweet, Jessica 🙂 So if I make you a plate of these cookies, will you fly in? 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  15. Ann P. says

    August 20, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    Cooks Illustrated is like the Bible of all culinary feats 🙂 I got the big cookbook for Christmas this past year! These cookies look awesome Anna!

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 10:21 am

      Thank you, Ann! I have this book on my wish list for this year 🙂

      Reply
  16. Emily Lynne says

    August 20, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    Oh goodness, I wish those were gluten-free. They look AMAZING!!! Well done Anna...looks like those tiny hands can only hold that cookie for so long - without taking a bite! xo

    Reply
    • Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      August 21, 2012 at 10:01 am

      She kept asking if I can take a pic of her taking a bite 🙂 Thank you, Emily!

      Reply
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