Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies are thick, chewy, and packed with melty chocolate! Crispy edges, soft centers, and bakery-level deliciousness in every bite.

Stacked Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies.
chelsea

author note

The Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookie Of My Dreams!

I’ll never forget the first time I tried a Gideon’s Bakehouse cookie—it absolutely blew my mind. It was so good that I spent weeks perfecting a copycat recipe that’s just as delicious.

Naturally, I had to create a traditional bakery-style chocolate chip cookie inspired by Gideon’s and my favorite chewy chocolate chip cookies ever. As a self-proclaimed cookie fanatic, trust me—this is the ultimate treat!

These cookies are soft, chewy, and gooey in the middle with perfectly crisp edges—just how I love them. And that extra chocolate on top? It’s the perfect finishing touch!

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All the ingredients prepped for easy assembly: butter, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, cornstarch, egg, flour, and chocolate chips.

The “Secrets” To The Best Cookies

What makes these bakery style chocolate chip cookies next-level good? A little cornstarch for the perfect thick, chewy texture. Melted butter for just the right amount of chew. Extra chocolate chips pressed on top. And the perfect size to get those crisp edges with a soft, slightly underbaked center.

The key? Nail the bake time, then let them sit on the sheet pan to firm up. That’s how you get that soft, gooey, chewy center!

Whisking wet ingredients for bakery-style chocolate chip cookies.

Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

  • Butter: Melted for soft, chewy cookies. Let it cool so cookies don’t get greasy.
  • Brown sugar: Pack it tight for best results.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps the edges get a little crisp.
  • Egg: Holds everything together and adds chewiness. Whisk the egg in well!
  • Vanilla: Brings out the chocolate flavor. Use pure for the best flavor.
  • Cornstarch: Makes cookies thicker, softer, and chewier.
  • Baking soda & baking powder: Help the cookies rise and spread just right.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the flavors pop.
  • Flour: Gives cookies their shape and structure.
  • Chocolate chips: Use any kind you love.
Mixing dry ingredients into the dough until combined.

Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies Tips

  • Cool the butter: Melted butter should be room temp to avoid flat cookies.
  • Don’t skip the chill: Chilling the dough prevents spreading.
  • Weigh the dough: Each cookie should be 4 ounces for that bakery-style feel.
  • Bake until just set: The centers should look slightly underbaked—they’ll finish setting on the pan.
  • Line Tray: Use parchment or a baking mat to prevent crispy bottoms.
  • Press extra chocolate on top: Makes them look and taste even better!
  • Let them rest: Cooling on the sheet pan keeps them soft, gooey, and chewy.
Rolling the dough into balls and baking.

Storage

  • Room temp: Store bakery style chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Microwave 10–15 seconds to rewarm,
  • Freeze dough: Shape dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet until firm. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.

Freshly baked bakery-style chocolate chip cookies topped with flaky sea salt.

Quick Tip

Crumbl’s Chocolate Chip Cookies are 4 ounces each—just like the ones in this recipe!

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4.90 from 39 votes

Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies are thick, gooey, and bursting with chocolate! Crisp edges, soft centers, and the ultimate homemade treat.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 large cookies

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1-3/4 cups flour
  • 1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet or dark chocolate—whichever is your favorite, divided

Instructions 

  • Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Let it cool to room temperature—hot butter can make the cookies greasy.
  • Once butter has cooled to room temperature, use a spatula to scrape it all into a large bowl. Mix in the sugars and whisk until combined. Add the egg and vanilla, then whisk briskly until smooth and emulsified.
  • Whisk in the cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon or hand mixer until just combined—don’t overmix.
  • Use a spatula to fold in 1-1/4 cups of chocolate chips. Divide dough into 8 equal portions (4 ounces or 113 grams each). Chill dough balls in an airtight container for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a sheet pan with a silicone baking mat.
  • Place 3 dough balls at a time on the sheet pan, giving cookies plenty of space to spread.
  • Bake 13-18 minutes, erring on the side of slightly under-baking, which keeps them soft and chewy. The cookies will “bake” a little more out of the oven.
  • Remove from the oven and press the remaining chocolate chips on top. Let the cookies cool on the tray for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Repeat with the rest of the cookies.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days and microwave for 10–15 seconds to rewarm. To freeze dough, shape into balls, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 883kcal | Carbohydrates: 117.5g | Protein: 11.7g | Fat: 41g | Cholesterol: 120.1mg | Sodium: 667mg | Fiber: 3.4g | Sugar: 69.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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4.90 from 39 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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123 Comments

  1. CathyL says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is fantastic! I LOVE chocolate chip cookies from Zoe’s and this recipe is even better! I used Nestle Toll House semi sweet chocolate chunks and they were devine. Highly recommend and will make again!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Cathy! šŸ™‚

  2. Shelleigh says:

    5 stars
    I made these today and hands down the most beautiful, decadent version of cookie bar ever to grace my kitchen counter then disappear! THANK YOU for your attention to detail in providing tips for best results. They were worth it!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am SO thrilled to hear this! Thank you so much Shelleigh! šŸ™‚

  3. Madison says:

    Hi there!

    I’ve tried making your cookies twice now, but the same issue keeps happening. The cookie dough is always quite dry and crumbly and they never flatten out when baked. I measure all my ingredients out in grams and double/triple check with my measurements to make sure there isn’t any error in how they’re measured out. I also follow the instructions carefully and don’t skip any details (let the butter cool after melting, chill the dough, don’t over mix, etcetera) so I’m not sure what’s wrong. The taste is fine but it definitely has more of a floury/oatmeal cookie kind of taste. Are the gram measurements accurate? Should I add more wet ingredients like milk or an extra egg or subtract some of the flour? If you have any ideas on this that’d be great because I’d love to have them come out like you have here!

    Thanks so much šŸ™šŸ» 😊
    Madison

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Hey Madison! Couple thoughts, are you making the right sized cookies? These aren’t meant to be smaller than that. Are you using a large (not medium) sized egg? I would start with 1/4 cup less flour next time, sorry you’re having this issue, I haven’t run into unless making the cookies smaller then they are definitely drier than they should be!

  4. Brittany S says:

    5 stars
    These are amazing! I receive a lot of compliments on them whenever I take them somewhere. This is the only chocolate chip cookie recipe I use.

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am so happy to hear this! Thank you Brittany! šŸ™‚

  5. Gardener says:

    Chelsea I have tried to find a chocolate chip cookie that is chewy yet has a bit height to it. Can these be made smaller like a regular cookie and what would you recommend timing to be?
    Love the thoroughness of your recipes. I have used a number of them and are very pleased.
    Thanks and from our house to yours may this be a Blessed Holiday and wonderful New Year !

  6. Janelle Tiller says:

    5 stars
    These are perfection.

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Yay! So thrilled to hear that šŸ™‚

  7. Lori L. Patrick says:

    I have to cut back on the,sugar.Way too sweet,for our taste.My boyfriend,bought milk chocolate chips.Told him,that I,useally buy semi sweet.Also, have to adjust the baking,temprature,and time,because of our oven.Going to try ,again tomorrow.

  8. Emily says:

    5 stars
    Very tasty cookies. Followed recipe to a T, but got a dry-ish dough. I added 3 tbsp water to get good dough consistency. Baked for 15 min. Portions were about 1/3 cup… Family favorite. Will not last the weekend!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      So happy you enjoyed! Thanks Emily! šŸ™‚

  9. Rose says:

    These sound great

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Thank you!

  10. Zee says:

    Hello, are the 802 calories per cookie or the whole recipe?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Whoops! I updated the nutrition facts! Thanks Zee! šŸ™‚