These bakery-style chocolate chip cookies bring the best of New York right to your kitchen. With their massive size, rich flavor, and delightful contrast between crisp golden edges and gooey, soft centers, they’re what cookie dreams are made of. Chilling the dough overnight enhances the flavors and texture, while the blend of chocolate chunks and chips ensures every bite is full of melty richness. Whether you’re gifting them, serving at a party, or indulging solo with a cold glass of milk, these cookies will become your go-to chocolate chip recipe.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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2¾ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking soda
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¼ tsp baking powder
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1 tsp salt
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2 Tbsp cornstarch
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1 cup cold butter, cubed
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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1 cup light brown sugar
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2 eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 bar chocolate (~3.5 oz), chopped into chunks
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1 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch.
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In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the cold butter cubes for 3–4 minutes until fluffy.
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Add both sugars and continue beating until smooth and combined.
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla.
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Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients in 1-cup increments until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
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Fold in the chopped chocolate chunks and chocolate chips.
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Roll dough into approximately 5 oz balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Chill for at least 1 hour (or preferably overnight).
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Bake cookies for 14 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through.
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Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and bake for an additional 4–5 minutes until edges are golden.
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Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 18–20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including chill time)
Kcal: ~350 kcal | Servings: 9 large cookies
New York Style Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Cookie Experience
Few desserts evoke the same sense of comfort and indulgence as a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie. Among the many variations out there, one particular style stands out: the New York Style Chocolate Chip Cookie. Known for its jumbo size, crisp golden edges, and molten chocolate center, this cookie is more than just a treat—it’s a full sensory experience.
Whether you’re a casual baker or a dessert connoisseur, this cookie offers a unique blend of flavor, texture, and technique that sets it apart from the average chocolate chip recipe. Let’s dive into the story, science, and magic behind why this cookie deserves a special spot in your kitchen—and your heart.
The Origin and Influence of the New York Cookie Craze
The New York-style cookie gained mainstream popularity thanks to famous bakeries like Levain Bakery, whose massive, gooey cookies have reached cult status. These cookies are not delicate or subtle—they’re thick, hearty, and unapologetically rich. Inspired by the energy of the city that never sleeps, the New York cookie reflects indulgence at its finest: bold, generous, and unforgettable.
While traditional cookies spread thin in the oven, New York-style cookies are designed to stay tall and dense. They don’t skimp on the chocolate, and they make no compromises in flavor. They’ve become a modern classic, replicated in bakeries and homes across the world. Their appeal lies in both their appearance and their decadent bite.
What Makes These Cookies Different?
There are several factors that make this style of cookie distinct from the everyday chocolate chip version:
- Size: Each dough ball is around 5 ounces—about 2–3 times the size of a standard cookie.
- Texture: The exterior is golden and crisp, while the interior stays gooey and soft.
- Chocolate Content: A mix of chips and chunks gives both melty pockets and even chocolate distribution.
- Technique: Using cold butter and chilling the dough are essential to achieve the right texture.
These aren’t cookies you can casually toss together and bake right away. They require patience, precision, and just a bit of planning—but the result is absolutely worth the effort.
The Secret Ingredient: Cold Butter
Most cookie recipes begin with room temperature or melted butter, which encourages spread and creates thinner cookies. But New York-style chocolate chip cookies use cold butter, cut into cubes, and creamed with the sugar. This technique slows down the melting process in the oven, allowing the cookies to hold their thick structure and develop a crispy edge with a gooey center.
Cold butter also contributes to a richer flavor and a firmer bite. It may take a few more minutes to incorporate during mixing, but this step is one of the core differences between a standard and a bakery-style cookie.
The Power of Cornstarch
Another unsung hero in this recipe is cornstarch. Used in small amounts, cornstarch helps create a soft and tender texture by weakening the gluten structure in the flour. It also keeps the cookies from drying out, preserving their soft interior even after baking.
This ingredient is especially important in large cookies that bake longer and risk becoming tough in the center. Cornstarch ensures that each bite remains light and delicate, even in a massive, indulgent cookie.
Chilling the Dough: A Step You Shouldn’t Skip
The most common question among home bakers is: “Do I really have to chill the dough?” For New York-style cookies, the answer is a resounding yes.
Chilling the dough—ideally overnight—serves multiple purposes:
- It solidifies the fat, preventing too much spread.
- It allows the flour to fully hydrate, creating a better texture.
- It enhances the flavor by letting the sugars and proteins begin breaking down.
If you bake these cookies right away, you’ll end up with a flatter, less flavorful product. Letting the dough rest in the fridge gives it the structure and complexity that make this cookie truly exceptional.
Double-Baking for Extra Texture
This recipe involves a two-stage baking process. First, the cookies are baked at 375°F, then the temperature is increased to 400°F for the final few minutes. This might sound unconventional, but it serves a strategic purpose.
The initial lower bake ensures that the interior cooks slowly, staying soft and gooey. The final burst of higher heat caramelizes the edges, creating that picture-perfect golden finish. The result? A beautifully balanced cookie with contrasting textures that hit all the right notes.
Why the Combination of Chocolate Chips and Chunks Works Best
Using both chocolate chips and chunks isn’t just for variety—it’s for the ultimate chocolate experience. Chips provide uniform size and melt resistance, while chunks melt into rich pools of chocolate that ooze with every bite.
A high-quality chocolate bar chopped into irregular pieces gives the cookie a rustic, handcrafted feel. The different sizes and textures create dynamic bites throughout the cookie, keeping your palate excited from the first nibble to the last crumb.
Perfect for Any Occasion
While these cookies are certainly impressive enough to bring to a party or give as a gift, they also make for a cozy treat at home. They’re excellent paired with a cold glass of milk, a mug of coffee, or simply enjoyed on their own while fresh out of the oven.
Because they stay soft for days (thanks to cornstarch and proper chilling), you can also make a large batch and keep them on hand for when you need a quick pick-me-up. You can even freeze the dough balls and bake them one at a time—cookie therapy on demand.
Tips for Baking the Perfect New York Cookie
- Don’t skip the scale: These cookies are big. Weighing the dough ensures consistent baking.
- Use quality ingredients: Real butter, fresh eggs, and good chocolate make a huge difference.
- Don’t overbake: They may look underdone when you remove them—this is intentional. They’ll continue cooking as they rest.
- Rest after baking: Letting the cookies cool for 10 minutes helps them set without falling apart.
- Experiment: Add chopped nuts, swap in dark or milk chocolate, or sprinkle with sea salt for variety.
Healthier Adjustments You Can Try
While this cookie is a full-on indulgence, there are a few small tweaks you can make if you want to lighten things up (without sacrificing too much flavor):
- Use half whole wheat flour for added fiber.
- Substitute half the butter with coconut oil for a hint of flavor and healthy fats.
- Reduce sugar slightly, as the chocolate brings plenty of sweetness.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for healthy fats and crunch.
Keep in mind that any substitutions will affect the final texture and taste—but that’s the beauty of baking. It’s endlessly customizable.
Conclusion
The New York Style Chocolate Chip Cookie is more than a dessert—it’s an experience. With its perfectly crisp edges, gooey molten center, and rich chocolate flavor, it combines the best of traditional baking with innovative techniques like cold butter, dough chilling, and a double bake. Whether you’re making these cookies to share or simply to satisfy a craving, they offer an elevated take on a classic favorite. They’re bold, indulgent, and unforgettable—just like the city that inspired them. Give them a try, and you’ll understand why they’ve become a beloved staple in bakeries and homes alike.
Once you’ve had your first bite, don’t be surprised if this becomes your go-to cookie recipe for years to come.
