These perfect bakery-style chocolate chip cookies are thick, chewy, golden on the edges, and filled with melty pools of chocolate—just like the ones I find at my favorite bakery. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a soft center that stays gooey for days. I love how they spread just enough without going flat and always come out picture-perfect.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it gives me those big, indulgent cookies that feel like a treat every time. The texture is exactly what I want—crispy on the outside and soft in the center, with just the right amount of chew. I don’t need any special equipment or complicated steps, but I still get bakery-quality results at home. These cookies are perfect for sharing (or not!), and they make my kitchen smell amazing every time I bake them.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
All-purpose flour
-
Baking soda
-
Cornstarch
-
Salt
-
Unsalted butter, softened
-
Brown sugar
-
Granulated sugar
-
Eggs
-
Vanilla extract
-
Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks
-
Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Directions
-
I start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining my baking sheets with parchment paper.
-
In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
-
In a large mixing bowl, I cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
-
I beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
-
Gradually, I add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
-
I fold in the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks.
-
Using a large cookie scoop, I portion the dough onto the baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart.
-
For that bakery finish, I press a few extra chocolate pieces on top of each dough ball and sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
-
I bake for 12–14 minutes, until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
-
I let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 16–18 large bakery-style cookies.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12–14 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
Sometimes I swap the chocolate chips for chunks of dark or milk chocolate for different textures. I’ve also added chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. A dash of cinnamon gives them a cozy flavor twist. If I want smaller cookies, I just reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes and use a smaller scoop.
Storage/Reheating
I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, I like placing a slice of bread in the container. For longer storage, I freeze both baked cookies and unbaked dough balls. When I’m ready for a warm cookie, I just bake the frozen dough straight from the freezer—adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
FAQs
What makes these cookies bakery-style?
It’s all about the texture and size. I use a higher ratio of brown sugar for moisture and chew, cornstarch for softness, and slightly underbake them for that gooey center. Big scoops and a sprinkle of sea salt on top give them that professional look and taste.
Why should I use cornstarch in cookies?
Cornstarch helps make the cookies soft and thick. I’ve found that even a small amount gives that perfect chewy texture I expect from bakery cookies.
Do I have to chill the dough?
Chilling isn’t required, but if I want extra thick cookies with deeper flavor, I chill the dough for 30 minutes or longer. It also helps prevent too much spreading.
Can I use different types of chocolate?
Absolutely. I’ve used everything from milk to dark, even white chocolate or a mix. Chopped chocolate bars give larger melty pools, while chips keep their shape.
How do I make my cookies look like bakery cookies?
I use a large cookie scoop and press a few extra chocolate chunks into the top before baking. I also underbake slightly so they stay soft inside and finish setting on the tray as they cool.
Conclusion
Perfect Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything I want in a homemade dessert—rich, chewy, and loaded with chocolate. They’re simple to make, always turn out impressive, and taste like they came straight from a high-end bakery. Whether I’m baking for friends or just treating myself, these cookies always hit the spot.
PrintPerfect Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
Perfect bakery-style chocolate chip cookies that are thick, chewy, and golden-edged with gooey centers and melty chocolate chunks. Easy to make and irresistibly indulgent—just like from a real bakery.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–14 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16–18 large cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks.
- Using a large cookie scoop, portion dough onto baking sheets, spacing a few inches apart.
- Press extra chocolate pieces on top of each dough ball and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are slightly underbaked.
- Cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Use chopped chocolate bars for bigger melty pools.
- Store with a slice of bread in the container to keep cookies soft.
- Freeze unbaked dough balls for quick fresh cookies anytime.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large cookie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
