These salted chocolate chunk cookies are made using 3 kinds of sugar, two kinds of chocolate and a good sprinkle of flaked salt. They are the perfect crispy edge, chewy center cookie that have become a staple in our house.
Is there anything better than a warm chocolate chip cookie, especially when it's salted chocolate chunk cookies! It feels appropriate for me to start with this recipe as my very first blog post because I believe that someones chocolate chip cookie recipe tells a lot about them.
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Why You Will Love These Cookies
- Texture: I have added a bit of turbinado sugar to these cookies to give the dough a bit of texture and depth.
- Milk & Semi-Sweet Chocolate: I love adding both kinds of chocolate to these cookies so you get some richer and some sweeter bites.
- Crispy Edges & Chewy Centers: I love that these cookies have a bit of a buttery crisp edge, but keep a chewy, melt in your mouth center.
Ingredient Notes
Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Butter: I always like to use salted butter for my baking, but unsalted will work fine too.
- Turbinado Sugar: This is a coarse sugar that gives some added texture to these cookies and one of my favorite parts about this recipe. You find it in the baking aisle next to the brown and granulated sugar.
- Eggs: Allow your eggs to come to room temperature before beginning to bake. If you need to rush the process just stick them in a bowl with some luke warm water for 10 minutes.
- Chocolate: My favorite combo is chopping up a milk chocolate bar and then using semi-sweet chocolate chips for two kinds of chocolate and different textures. The chopped chocolate bar with get extra melty while the chips will hold more firm.
- Flaked Sea Salt: Maldon flaked salt is my absolute favorite, and such a game changer on a cookie. It truly helps balance the sweetness.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Place the butter and sugars in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mix until smooth on low speed. Beat in vanilla.
- Step 2: Slowly mix in baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl.
- Step 3: Chop up the chocolate bar into chunks, trying to keep some large and some small for different variants of melty chocolate puddles. Stir the chocolate chunks and chips into the dough until combined.
- Step 4: Scoop the dough into large balls, I like to use the ¼ cup cookie or ice cream scoop. At this point you can either have the patience to chill the dough knowing the results which be better, or bake your cookies because you just can't seem to resist. I like to scoop out all the balls and lay them out on a parchment lined cookie sheet, and then refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
- Step 5: When ready to bake, turn the oven on to 375 F, and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place 6 chilled cookie dough balls on the cookie sheet, sprinkling with the flaked sea salt.
- Step 6: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes. Sprinkle with a little extra salt right after baking and allow to cool.
Expert Baking Tips
- Some people salt their cookies after they bake them, but I like to do both. This gives the salt that falls off the tops an opportunity to bake underneath the cookie and give even that much more flavor.
- If your cookies don't come out in a perfect circle, I like to take a spatula and circle the rim of the cookie to bring in any spots that have spread a little too far.
- I prefer to only bake the amount of cookies we are going to eat at the time, which is usually one pans worth. Freeze the rest of the dough balls in a ziplock, and pull out whenever you're craving a warm cookie or two.
- If baking frozen cookie dough balls you do not need to defrost before, just bake at 350 instead for about one minute longer.
FAQ
Yes, these cookies turn out just as good when using a gluten free 1:1 flour. I love using cup4cup or King Arthur Measure for Measure.
If your cookies didn't hold their shape and baked flat you most likely didn't add quite enough flour. This could be based off your elevation or that you spooned it in too lightly. I would suggest adding 2 tablespoons extra next time you bake.
If your cookies didn't spread out you most likely added too much flour, or over mixed the dough. Weighing your ingredients is always suggested to help keep them as close to the recipe as possible.
Storing & Freezing
These salted chocolate chunk cookies will remain fresh for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freezing is key if you ask me. I always have frozen cookie dough balls AND baked cookies in my freezer. Maybe because I grew up like this, but you always want to be prepared with cookies. You can easily pull out a handful of already baked cookies and throw them in a cute cellophane bag, and you've got a gift for a friend. Just let them defrost and they are just like they were baked the same day.
Other Popular Recipes to Try
For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment if you make them and love them as much as I do!
Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (227 g) salted butter room temperature(not soft)
- 1 ½ cups (330 g) packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) turbinado sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) salt
- 3 cups (420 g) all-purpose flour
- 7 ounces (198.45 g) milk chocolate bar chopped trader joes pound plus is my favorite
- 1 cup (180 g) semi sweet chocolate chips
- flaked sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Place the butter and sugars in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mix until smooth on low speed. Beat in vanilla.
- Slowly mix in baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl.
- Chop up the chocolate bar into chunks, trying to keep some large and some small for different variants of melty chocolate puddles. Stir the chocolate chunks and chips into the dough until combined.
- Scoop the dough into large balls, I like to use the ¼ cup cookie or ice cream scoop. At this point you can either have the patience to chill the dough knowing the results which be better, or bake your cookies because you just can't seem to resist. I like to scoop out all the balls and lay them out on a parchment lined cookie sheet, and then refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
- When ready to bake, turn the oven on to 365 F, and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place 6 chilled cookie dough balls on the cookie sheet, sprinkling with the flaked sea salt. Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes.
Emily
These are the bomb!!! Sooo good! Thank you!
Hillary
The turbinado sugar, the chocolate chunks (*not chips), and the flakey salt + baking until barely done... in-cred-i-ble!!! Have enjoyed every single cookie recipe from Brooke!
brooke
Thank you SO much Hillary!! These are definitely my favorite so I'm glad you love them too!!!
Pat
Hi what is Turbinado Sugar? and is it necessary? like makes a big difference? thanks Just a beginner;) Can’t wait to TRY!
Brooke Homec
It's a coarse sugar that gives the dough some extra texture. I would say if possible, its a great addition to the cookies. But you can sub in granulated sugar if you don't have it and don't want to get it!☺️
Wafaa
Hello Brooke, Thank you for sharing the recipe. It looks perfect. Refrigerating the cookies for 24 hours will affect the taste or texture?
Brooke Homec
Both, it helps richen the flavor, and also helps the cookies from spreading too much.
Wafaa
Thank you dear ❤️
Lyndee
I've made these twice this week... The turbinado sugar, milk chocolate and flake salt make them sooooooooooo good!
brooke
Lyndee I'm so glad you loved them as much as I do!
Kate H
This is the best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever made. I get asked to bring these to every family function now!
Emily
I’ve tried to master the chocolate chip cookie for years!! Finally with this recipe, I’ve now done it! My husband, my kids, and they’re kids couldn’t agree more! I couldn’t be more grateful.
Kari Tandberg
I consider myself to be a cookie snob and I have a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I love, but this recipe is very different so I couldn't help but try it. We loved it!! I was very tempted to make a warm cookie for breakfast this morning because I can't stop thinking about them. Thank you for sharing!
brooke
Thank you so so much Kari!! Sounds like the perfect breakfast to me.
Meredith
Truly the best cookies I’ve ever made. This has become my only chocolate chip cookie recipe from here on it! Thank you!!
brooke
Thank you so much Meredith!! I am honored to be part of your go to!!
Abi
These are my new all-time-favorite cookie! The 1/4c cookie ball is SPOT ON, and the salted topping is perfection. Proud to say I finally have a go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe after all these years.
brooke
Thank you Abi!! I am so happy!!
Doug G
Absolutely legendary recipe. Huge hit at the office. My co-workers felt bad none were left for me, little did they know I’ve got a stash in the freezer for my personal consumption!
brooke
Thank you so much. I am so happy to hear this.
Curtis H
Best cookies I’ve ever had. If only I could make them as good as you. You’re the best !!
brooke
Thank you Curtis!!
Jennifer
I've made some really amazing cookies in my time but these are addictive! The perfect texture and consistency. I seriously have no will power around these lol! Amazing recipe!
brooke
Thank you SO much!! And yes, I totally feel ya on the willpower.
Jenna
Our family now has to keep these cookie dough balls in the freezer AT ALL TIMES.
brooke
Thats the best news ever! So glad you love them too!
may
my mom is forcing me to make these right now
brooke
yay!!!
Ali
Yummy!!
Tara
Excited to try these !! Do you use salted or unsalted butter ??
Tara
Just read your entire post 🙃 team salted!!
Camille
This recipe turned me into a successful cookie baker. I couldn’t ever make a decent chocolate chip cookie UNTIL this recipe. I have to make a new batch every week because we go through them so fast. Best recipe ever!!!
brooke
These are the reviews I love for!!! Everyone wants to feel successful, especially when it comes to a chocolate chip cookie. Thanks for much for trying them!
Lindsay
This should be everybody’s go-to cookie recipe. These cookies are perfection!!
Jerika Skidmore
I’m OBSESSED with this recipe!! The only chocolate chip cookies I will ever make. I also like subbing guittard milk chocolate chips when I don’t feel like cutting up a bar.. absolutely delicious
Cami
Turn out great every time. Everyone in my family has made these and it’s our favorite cookie recipe EVER! Thx Brooke!!
Erin
So good - my new go-to recipe. I’ve made with both margarine and butter, both come out incredible.
brooke
Thanks so much Erin! Love hearing this!
Anne
This is the best recipe, yum! I love the addition of turbinado sugar and Trader Joe's pound plus bar. Makes them extra special
Christine Graviet
I’ve tried many chocolate chip cookie recipes but this one is by far the BEST cookies that I’ve ever made in my life!!!! Words can’t describe how good they are. This was the first recipe of Brooke’s that I tried and I have to say that it’s my favorite.
brooke
Thank you so much! They are definitely my favorite too!!
Bethanie
LOVE THESE COOKIES!!! I won’t use another cookie recipe after making these!!
Diane
Awesome recipe! What can I use instead of Turbinado? I do not feel like making a trip to the store. 😬
brooke
You can easily substitute granulated sugar instead!
Roxanne
Needed to make a batch of cookies for some ‘Thank You’ gifts and I knew right where to look for the perfect recipe! Everything you bake is incredible! Thank you!
Tyler
Love these! Thanks for sharing 🤗
Marisa
Oh my goodness!! I just made these and I can’t stop eating them neither can my husband and son! Sooo good! I used my TJ’s chocolate bar with pretzels & caramel. So good!
brooke
Thank you Marisa! I am SO glad!! I love it with that chocolate bar also!
Bekah
These are SOO good...I love the crunch from the turbinado sugar, such a great addition!! We don't have a Trader Joe's nearby so I used Lindt milk chocolate bars. These are definitely my go-to CCC from now on!
Ashley Poynor
These cookies are amazing! I have made them for friends of mine and they said that they are the best cookies that they have ever eaten!!!!
LOVE THEM!!! Can’t wait to try the Cadbury egg cookies when the mini eggs come out in the spring.
brooke
Yay! Thank you so much! And yes, the cadbury ones are fabulous. I'm pretty sure they have some coming out for Halloween soon!
Allison
The only chocolate chip recipe I use. I think I even get a little anxious now if I don't have some frozen cookie dough balls in the freezer so I can have them fresh baked any time.
Amanda
These are our go to chocolate chip cookies. Every where we take them people say they are amazing!
Shayna
These are the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe EVER! My go to every time!
brooke
Thank you Shayna!!!!❤️
Whitney
I consider myself a chocolate chip cookie snob so I was excited to try these in my efforts to find the best cookie. My sister made them for me and WOW! They have perfect texture! They are substantial, crispy, and a little gooey. I love the weight of them and how perfectly the salt balances the sweet. Gourmet! These are my go-to chocolate chip cookie! Again, thank you, Brooke!
Ashlee
These are my go to cookies! It's my most requested item to bring to pitch in or any gathering. Brooke, thank you for making me look like a baking genius!!
brooke
I love that!!! Thank you so much!💕
Marie Jefferson
Hi,
Do you think gluten free flour will work with this recipe? Thanks.
brooke
Yes, I've made these many times with gluten free cup4cup flour and they always turn out great. And I know lots of others have made them GF as well.
Stephanie Burge
Seriously, the best chocolate chip cookies! The addition of the sea salt is pure perfection. Everyone can’t get enough when I make them. I keep dough balls in my freezer so I can whip up a match on a moments notice. Don’t sleep on these!!
brooke
Yay!! I always keep some dough balls in my freezer too...☺️
AB
This recipe will surely impress anyone! I have tried both Trader Joe’s pound plus and changing up chocolate chips, and it always comes out good! That flaky sea salt is always a good touch!
Amanda Richards
Best. Cookie. Ever.
Tara
These are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever made. I’ve tried them with dark chocolate chunks, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, even no chocolate. They are always delicious! That salt sprinkled on really makes these something special!
Dori C
All time BEST choc chip cookie! Get the best compliments when I make them! They are perfection in my mind! Fun to change up the Trader Joe’s choc bar in it too! Love love love these!
Melanie
Hands down the BEST chocolate chip cookie!! And everyone I make them for loves them too. I’m not even tempted to try a different recipe. If I could give it 10 stars I would. The turbinado sugar takes them up a notch. I love the cookies and the dough…can’t keep the freezer stocked for long.
Brittany
These are my go-to cookie!! So quick and easy to throw together, and they taste amazing! I actually had the patience to let them chill overnight for my most recent batch, and they made the cookie so much chewier!! These are my all-time favorites!
Callie
This is my go to recipe! The last time I made them I accidentally forgot he salt and vanilla and they were still delicious! You cannot go wrong with this apparently!
Tatiana
HOLY CRAP THESE ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST! I think after 10+ times of baking this recipe, I’ve pretty much perfected it without having to look at the instructions. This is the #1 requested thing i get from others when planning a get together. I’m ready to try what other great recipes you have!
Brooke Homec
Oh yay!! Thank you so much! Can't wait for you to try more as well!
Laura
Amazing! Love the Turbinado sugar! Thanks Brooke!
Debra Heaton
I did not THINK I need another recipe for a chocolate chip cookie. I saw this recipe on Instagram a few times and was intrigued by the turbinado sugar. This cookie is perfection and will definitely be on repeat. Thank you for another GREAT cookie recipe!
Brooke Homec
I'm so glad you were willing to try them! Thank you so much!
Baylee
Holy. Smokes. I’ve made dozens of chocolate chip cookie recipes and found one that was my go-to.. but this beat them all. If you use the raw sugar and different chocolate chips it calls for these are absolutely unreal!! My new go-to!!!
Brooke Homec
Yay!! I am so glad! Thank you so much!!
Allison
No matter how many other CCC recipes I try, this one is always the winner. Do you think this base could be used to mix in M&Ms and / or kit kat bars as an alternative to the chocolate chunks?
Brooke Homec
For sure you could do mix ins to this recipe!! But I also have a Candy Bar Cookies that would be yummy for that too!!
Missy
10/10 cookies!!! From a rookie baker, who doesn’t own a stand mixer and has never successfully made cookies these were perfect, not complicated and turned out great. My new go-to recipe! Cookies were great when baked right away it when made from frozen!
Angie
These are SO good!! That addition of turbinado sugar was amazing. Such a delicious cookie that we will be making again and again! Thanks, Brooke!
Maddie
My go to cookie!
Camryn
Great cookie recipe! The salt balances the amount of sweetness from the chocolate. I chose semi-sweet chunks, dark chocolate chunks, and milk chocolate chips but kept the total ratio of chocolate in the recipe the same. They were crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Everyone at my Galentines party loved them!
Debbie Wronka
Hands down our new favorite chocolate chip cookie in the house! My kids, their friends and everyone absolutely LOVES them! Simply the BEST!
Megan
Best chocolate chip cookie recipe (and I've tried them all). They are the number one cookie requested for every family event. Sometimes I like to substitute half the milk chocolate bar for a thinner dark chocolate bar for even more texture contrast!
Angela
Hello, I plan to make a few of your recipes to keep in the freezer so my kids can grab and bake as needed. Do you need to freeze the cookie batter balls in the freezer before you put in freezer safe bags or just the fridge first? Wondering if in the freezer bag they get crumpled up. Thank you!
Brooke Homec
Either will work.. But I usually put them in the fridge first and then move to a bag into the freezer.
Sara C
These are now my go-to CCC recipe. I sprinkle a little salt on the pan before I place the dough balls and then there is salt on top and bottom. They have a crisp to them without being a hard cookie and are gooey on the inside.
Jennifer
These cookies are my absolute favorite! The texture is supreme and they taste incredible! Every time I bake them people LOVE them!
Mary Ann Cameron
Our favorite chocolate chip cookies. Can these be made with gluten free flour?
Brooke Homec
yes! It works great!
Tina
Looks like you published this recipe over 4 years ago, and I sure wish I would have found it sooner! I came across your recipe on Instagram a few months ago, and I have made them 6 times now. Everyone loves them, and every single person or group I have made these cookies for asks for the recipe! New moms have loved it when I took freshly baked ones with a meal or gave frozen dough balls to go along with a freezer meal, and when my husband took some to the other 6 guys on his team at work, each one of them messaged or came up to him separately to say how delicious the cookies were! Thank you for sharing such a keeper recipe! I've been baking chocolate chip cookies for my family and others for over 40 years, and this is THE BEST!!! Using the 3 different sugars, a variety of chocolate with the chunks and chips, and the sprinkling with sea salt makes all the difference and is a winning combination!
Brooke Homec
Thank you so much Tina!! I am so glad you found me and have loved the cookies as much as I do. Thanks for the sweet comment!
TeeAnn
Unreal how easy and delicious these are. So good my new favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Keep it up!!
Dayna Mattsson
Made these a week ago after not baking for a while. My family loved them as always.
Kathy
Hi, Brooke! Of o freeze these after baking, will it affect the chocolate chunks/chips after they’re thawed? I need to bake for a shower, but the shower is Saturday & I need to bake Tuesday because of my crazy schedule.
Kathy
I guess I should read before I post! 🙄 “If I “