Big & Buttery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch

Makes

about 2 dozen

Updated: Jan. 02, 2024
Our version of the classic cookie is based on a recipe from a California bakery called Hungry Bear. The chocolate chip cookie is big, thick and chewy—perfect for dunking. —Irene Yeh, Mequon, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
  2. Shape 1/4 cupfuls of dough into balls. Flatten each to 3/4-in. thickness (2-1/2-in. diameter), smoothing edges as necessary. Place in an airtight container, separating layers with waxed paper or parchment; refrigerate, covered, overnight.
  3. To bake, place dough portions 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 400°.
  4. Bake until edges are golden brown (centers will be light), 10-12 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Test Kitchen variations
  • Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies: Reduce vanilla to 1 teaspoon and add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Substitute toasted almonds for the walnuts.
  • Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies: Reduce vanilla to 1 teaspoon and add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Substitute toasted almonds for the walnuts. Big & Buttery White Chip Cookies: Substitute white baking chips for the chocolate chips and toasted hazelnuts for the walnuts. Big & Buttery Cranberry Nut Cookies: Substitute dried cranberries for the chocolate chips. Big & Buttery Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: Substitute 1 cup chopped dried cherries for 1 cup of the walnuts.

    Nutrition Facts

    1 cookie: 311 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.