These gooey chocolate chip cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream! Soft, chewy, and loaded with melty chocolate chips, they are perfect fresh from the oven.
I can’t resist taking a bite right away, even if they’re super hot! ☕ Plus, they’re super easy to whip up. Just mix, scoop, and bake—your kitchen will smell amazing!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your cookies, providing structure. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but ensure it has xanthan gum for better texture.
Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter for control over the saltiness. You can replace it with coconut oil or margarine for a dairy-free option, but keep in mind it might slightly alter the flavor.
Sugars: A mix of granulated and brown sugar gives the cookies a nice texture and flavor. If you prefer, you can use coconut sugar instead for a less refined choice. Using all brown sugar will yield chewier cookies!
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet is classic, but feel free to use milk chocolate or dark chocolate based on your taste. Chocolate chunks are scrumptious too! You can even mix in some white chocolate or peanut butter chips.
How Can I Ensure My Cookies Are Gooey?
Getting that gooey center in cookies is all about timing and temperature. The trick is to slightly underbake them. Follow these steps:
- Keep a close eye on the bake time. Aim for 9-11 minutes—watch for golden edges while the centers should look soft.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them. This helps set them while keeping them gooey.
For extra gooeyness, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking, as it allows the flavors to meld and helps the cookies spread less, keeping more moisture inside.
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Mix-Ins:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a mix of chips and chunks)
How Much Time Will You Need?
Making these gooey chocolate chip cookies takes about 15 minutes for prep and 10 minutes for baking. Just make sure to let them cool a bit before digging in! Total time comes to around 30 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping Your Oven and Pans:
First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot for baking. While that heats up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier!
2. Whisking the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda. This helps aerate the flour and evenly distribute the baking soda. Set this bowl aside for later.
3. Mixing the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Use a whisk to blend them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for getting that delicious, gooey texture!
4. Adding Flavor and Eggs:
Next, stir in the salt, vanilla extract, and eggs. Beat it all together until everything is well mixed and smooth. It should look glossy and inviting!
5. Combining Everything:
Now, gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies might turn out tough instead of tender!
6. Folding in the Chocolate:
Using a spatula, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips (or any mix-ins you prefer). Make sure the chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough—that’s where all the gooey goodness comes from!
7. Scooping the Dough:
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop dough balls (about 2 tablespoons each) onto your lined baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread while baking.
8. Baking Time:
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 9-11 minutes. You want the edges to be just golden while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for that perfect gooey texture.
9. Cooling the Cookies:
Once the cookies are out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up a bit before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely while still remaining gooey inside.
10. Enjoying Your Creation:
Once they’ve cooled a little (or not, if you can’t wait!), serve the cookies warm. Enjoy your irresistibly gooey chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage!
Can I Use Brown Sugar Instead of Granulated Sugar?
Absolutely! You can substitute all or some of the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a richer flavor. Just remember that using all brown sugar will make the cookies chewier!
How Do I Keep These Cookies From Spreading Too Much?
You can chill the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies keep their shape, resulting in thicker cookies that remain gooey inside!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw as needed!
Can I Add Nuts or Other Mix-Ins?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in chopped nuts, caramel pieces, or even dried fruit along with the chocolate chips. Just keep the total volume of mix-ins around 2 cups for the best texture!
