Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Decadent Delight
Is there anything more comforting than a warm, chewy cookie bursting with chocolatey goodness? Probably not. And when it comes to chocolate cookies, nothing beats the intense richness of a double chocolate chip cookie. These are not your average chocolate chip cookies; they’re a chocolate lover’s dream come true, featuring a deep, dark chocolate dough studded with even more chocolate chips. This recipe is your guide to creating the perfect double chocolate chip cookies at home – so decadent, so delicious, and so irresistible, you’ll be making them again and again. Get ready to embark on a chocolatey adventure!
Why This Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Works
This recipe isn’t just a random collection of ingredients; it’s been carefully crafted to ensure the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Here’s what makes it so special:
- Cocoa Powder Power: We use a generous amount of high-quality cocoa powder, both Dutch-processed and natural, to create a deeply chocolatey dough. Dutch-processed cocoa provides a smooth, mellow flavor, while natural cocoa adds a slightly acidic tang that enhances the overall richness.
- Brown Butter Bliss (Optional but Recommended): Browning the butter before incorporating it into the dough adds a nutty, caramel-like depth of flavor that elevates these cookies to a whole new level. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.
- Melting Matters: Melting some of the chocolate chips into the dough creates a fudgy, intensely chocolatey base. This ensures that every bite is packed with chocolate flavor.
- Chill Time is Crucial: Chilling the dough allows the flavors to meld together and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking. Patience is key!
- The Right Texture: Using a combination of all-purpose flour and a touch of cornstarch creates a tender, chewy cookie with a soft center and slightly crisp edges.
- High Quality Chocolate Chips: Using high-quality chocolate chips, whether semi-sweet, bittersweet, or dark, ensures a superior flavor and melt.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather your ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make these delectable double chocolate chip cookies:
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and tenderness. If browning the butter, use a light-colored saucepan so you can see the color change.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp edge.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, chewiness, and a molasses-like flavor. Use light or dark brown sugar, depending on your preference. Dark brown sugar will result in a more intense flavor.
- Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough.
- Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder: Provides a smooth, mellow chocolate flavor.
- Natural Cocoa Powder: Adds a slightly acidic tang that enhances the richness.
- Cornstarch: Contributes to a tender, chewy texture.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Chocolate Chips: The star of the show! Use your favorite type of chocolate chips – semi-sweet, bittersweet, dark, or even a combination. You can also use chocolate chunks for a chunkier texture.
Detailed Recipe Instructions
Now, let’s get baking! Follow these step-by-step instructions to create the perfect double chocolate chip cookies:
Step 1: Brown the Butter (Optional)
If you’re opting to brown the butter, this is the first step. Place the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter melts, foams, and then turns a nutty brown color. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine the browned butter (or softened butter if not browning) with the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a light and airy cookie.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Melt Some Chocolate Chips (Optional)
Place about 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Let cool slightly.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, natural cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 6: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
Step 7: Stir in Melted Chocolate (Optional) and Remaining Chocolate Chips
If using, stir in the slightly cooled melted chocolate until evenly distributed. Then, fold in the remaining chocolate chips.
Step 8: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 2 hours, or even overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking. A longer chill time will result in a chewier cookie. It’s even better if you can chill it for 24-36 hours. But if you are craving for something quick, 30 mins will do.
Step 9: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 10: Scoop and Bake
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. A standard cookie scoop is about 1.5 tablespoons. This will help with consistent size and baking.
Step 11: Bake
Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
Step 12: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Tips for Perfect Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here are a few extra tips to help you achieve cookie perfection:
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cookies. Invest in good quality butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: This is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too thin and for developing flavor.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: This ensures that all the cookies are the same size, which helps them bake evenly.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add other ingredients to the dough, such as chopped nuts, dried fruit, or espresso powder.
- Salted Butter: If you decide to use salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt.
- Adjust Baking Time: Every oven is different; use the suggested time as a guide and observe the color of cookies and test with toothpick or cake tester.
Variations on the Recipe
Want to experiment? Here are some fun variations on this double chocolate chip cookie recipe:
- Peanut Butter Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1/2 cup of peanut butter to the dough along with the butter and sugars.
- Espresso Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the wet ingredients and use mint chocolate chips.
- White Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace some or all of the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips.
- Walnut Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts to the dough.
- Oatmeal Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: Substitute 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour with 1/2 cup of rolled oats.
- Sea Salt: Sprinkle a little bit of sea salt on each cookie before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Double chocolate chip cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your cookie experience:
- With a Glass of Milk: The classic pairing!
- With a Scoop of Ice Cream: Warm cookies with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
- In a Cookie Sandwich: Sandwich ice cream between two cookies for a decadent treat.
- Drizzled with Chocolate Sauce: Drizzle warm cookies with melted chocolate or caramel sauce.
- As a Gift: Package the cookies in a pretty box or tin for a thoughtful gift.
- Warm with Coffee or Tea: Enjoy the cookies with coffee for a delicious afternoon.
- Crumble on Desserts: Crumble the cookies on cakes, parfaits, or ice cream sundaes.
Storing Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
To keep your double chocolate chip cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay good for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the cookies for longer storage. To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Freezing Cookie Dough
If you would like to bake cookies at any time, you can also freeze the cookie dough. To freeze cookie dough, scoop the dough into balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 1-2 hours, or until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To bake, bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Recipe Summary
Double chocolate chip cookies are a truly decadent treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their rich, chocolatey flavor and chewy texture, they are sure to be a hit with everyone. This recipe is easy to follow and allows for plenty of customization, so you can create your perfect batch of double chocolate chip cookies. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake some chocolatey goodness!
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Yields: Approximately 24 cookies
Prep time: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
Cook time: 9-12 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened or browned
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, bittersweet, or dark)
Equipment
- Large bowl or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Instructions
- If browning the butter, melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until it turns a nutty brown color. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the browned butter (or softened butter) with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, natural cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Melt about 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and add it to the dough. Stir.
- Fold in the remaining chocolate chips.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24-36 hours).
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy!
Enjoy your delicious homemade double chocolate chip cookies! These cookies are the best comfort food ever!