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Ina Garten Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ina Garten Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies - recipe card
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These giant bakery-style chocolate chip cookies are inspired by Ina Garten’s famous recipe. Rich and buttery with crisp edges and soft, chewy centers, they are loaded with semisweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Perfect for when you want a truly oversized treat that rivals any bakery counter.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal preferred)
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces (optional, but recommended)

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with hand mixer), combine the room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, until light, fluffy, and pale in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula halfway through to ensure even creaming; this step incorporates air for a chewy yet tender texture.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds. The mixture will look slightly curdled at first but will come together into a smooth, creamy emulsion.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt until uniform. This ensures even distribution of leavening and salt, preventing pockets of baking soda in the finished cookies.
  4. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until the flour disappears and no dry streaks remain; overmixing at this stage will develop gluten and make the cookies tough.
  5. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and walnut pieces until evenly distributed. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  6. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 48 hours. Chilling solidifies the butter, preventing excessive spreading during baking, and allows the flavors to meld for a deeper, more caramelized taste.
  7. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F / 177°C. Position a rack in the center of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  8. Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup or a #16 ice cream scoop (4 tablespoons), portion the cold dough into 4 equal mounds. Roll each into a rough ball, then place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart to allow for spread. Do not flatten; they will spread into thick, giant cookies.
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through for even browning. The cookies are done when the edges are set and golden brown, while the centers still look slightly underdone and puffy. They will continue to bake and set from residual heat on the hot sheet.
  10. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool directly on the sheet for 5 minutes. This rest time allows the structure to firm up, making them easier to transfer. Then, using a thin metal spatula, transfer the giant cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, about 15 minutes more.

Notes

For best results, chill the dough for at least 2 hours or up to 48 hours to develop deeper flavor. Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months; bake from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time. Reheat cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes to restore warmth and crisp edges. If omitting walnuts, the cookie dough may spread slightly more; no further adjustments needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Ina Garten giant chocolate chip cookies, giant chocolate chip cookies, bakery-style cookies, oversized cookies, chewy chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip cookie recipe, homemade cookies, dessert, American cookies, walnuts, classic cookies, large cookies

Find it online: https://inagartencooks.com/ina-garten-giant-chocolate-chip-cookies/