Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

This giant chocolate chip cookie is soft, chewy, and perfectly golden on the outside. Ideal for sharing or for those times when you just want one enormous cookie to indulge in! With melty chocolate chips and a slightly crisp edge, it’s a classic favorite made easy at home.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
Scoop the dough into a large ball (about 1 cup of dough) and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with your hands.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the center is still slightly soft. Avoid overbaking for a chewy texture.
Let the cookie cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrients (per serving, approx. 1/12 of cookie)

Calories: 380 kcal
Carbohydrates: 52 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg
Sodium: 200 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 36 g

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie: A Timeless Classic for All Ages

Chocolate chip cookies are a beloved treat, cherished by people of all ages. While traditional recipes usually involve making individual-sized cookies, the giant chocolate chip cookie takes this classic favorite to the next level by offering one massive, indulgent dessert that’s perfect for sharing—or not! This recipe offers the ideal balance of a soft, chewy center with a slightly crisp outer edge, loaded with gooey chocolate chips that melt in your mouth with every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a casual family dessert, or just because you want a sweet indulgence, this giant chocolate chip cookie is a guaranteed hit.

The Origins of Chocolate Chip Cookies

The story of chocolate chip cookies dates back to the 1930s when Ruth Wakefield, the inventor of the famous Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie, first created this now-legendary treat. Ruth was baking cookies at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, when she decided to add chunks of semi-sweet chocolate into her dough. Rather than the chocolate melting into the dough, it held its shape, giving rise to the chocolate chip cookie as we know it today. The cookie became a sensation, and soon after, Nestlé partnered with Wakefield to produce chocolate chips specifically for cookie baking, thus cementing the popularity of this dessert for generations to come.

In the years since, chocolate chip cookies have become a staple in American baking, evolving in different forms—from thick and chewy to crispy and thin, and now, the giant version. The giant chocolate chip cookie stands as a fun and impressive variation of this traditional dessert, perfect for those who want to break from the norm and create something extraordinary. Whether served at a birthday party, as a dessert for a movie night, or simply as a treat to satisfy a sweet tooth, this large cookie is a conversation starter and a crowd-pleaser.

The Science Behind the Perfect Cookie

Baking a perfect chocolate chip cookie, whether large or small, relies on understanding the balance of ingredients and the chemical reactions that occur during the baking process. Each element in the dough plays a crucial role in determining the texture and flavor of the final product.

Butter: Butter is one of the key ingredients in any cookie recipe. In this giant chocolate chip cookie, the softened butter helps create a rich, tender texture and enhances the cookie’s flavor. The fat in butter prevents the flour from forming a dense dough, ensuring a chewy, soft center.
Sugars: The combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar is essential for achieving the right level of sweetness and texture. Brown sugar contains molasses, which helps the cookie retain moisture and adds to the depth of flavor. Granulated sugar, on the other hand, contributes to the cookie’s crisp edges, creating a perfect contrast to the soft interior.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture in the dough. They help bind the ingredients together while also contributing to the chewy texture of the cookie. The protein in eggs gives the cookie its structure, while the yolks add richness and moisture.
Flour: The foundation of any cookie dough, flour gives the cookie its structure and texture. All-purpose flour is typically used in chocolate chip cookie recipes, and its gluten content contributes to the chewy and slightly crisp nature of the cookie.
Leavening Agents: Baking soda and baking powder are used to help the cookie rise and spread during baking. Baking soda also helps neutralize the acidity of the brown sugar, which can contribute to a slightly sweeter flavor.
Chocolate Chips: Of course, chocolate chips are the star ingredient in this recipe. They melt beautifully in the oven, creating pockets of rich, gooey chocolate throughout the cookie. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are commonly used for their balanced sweetness, but you can experiment with milk or dark chocolate chips based on your preference.

Baking Tips for the Perfect Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

Achieving the ideal texture and flavor in a giant chocolate chip cookie requires attention to detail. Here are some helpful tips to ensure your giant cookie turns out just right:

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin mixing. This allows them to blend more easily with the other ingredients, creating a smooth dough without any lumps.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: While it’s important to thoroughly combine the wet and dry ingredients, overmixing the dough can result in a tougher cookie. Mix until just combined to maintain the soft, chewy texture.
Chill the Dough (Optional): Chilling cookie dough before baking helps solidify the fat in the dough, which can result in a thicker, chewier cookie. While this step is optional, it’s especially beneficial if you want to make the dough ahead of time or if you’re preparing smaller cookies.
Watch the Baking Time: Since this is a large cookie, it requires a slightly longer baking time than regular-sized cookies. However, be cautious not to overbake the cookie. The key to a chewy texture is to remove it from the oven while the center is still slightly soft. Let it cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
Use Parchment Paper: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper ensures that the cookie doesn’t stick and makes cleanup easier. It also helps prevent the cookie from getting too crispy on the bottom.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: After baking, it’s important to let the giant chocolate chip cookie rest for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring it to a wire rack. This allows the cookie to set properly and makes it easier to cut into slices.

Ways to Customize Your Giant Cookie

While this giant chocolate chip cookie recipe is a classic, there are plenty of ways to personalize it to suit your tastes or create a new flavor profile. Here are a few creative ideas to try:

Add Nuts: For a bit of crunch and flavor contrast, consider adding chopped nuts to the dough. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds work especially well with chocolate chips, giving the cookie added texture and a nutty flavor.
Swirl in Peanut Butter: For peanut butter lovers, swirl some creamy peanut butter into the dough for a rich, nutty twist. You can also substitute some of the butter with peanut butter for an even stronger peanut flavor.
Use Different Types of Chocolate: While semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice, you can mix and match different types of chocolate. Try using dark chocolate chips for a more intense chocolate flavor or white chocolate chips for a creamy, sweet contrast.
Make It a Cookie Cake: Take your giant cookie to the next level by turning it into a cookie cake! Simply frost the top of the cookie with your favorite frosting or decorate it with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or candies for a festive touch. This is especially great for birthdays or special occasions.
Add a Dash of Spice: For a unique twist on the classic recipe, add a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to the dough. These spices complement the chocolate and add warmth to the flavor profile, making your cookie stand out.

Conclusion

The giant chocolate chip cookie is more than just a dessert; it’s a statement. Perfect for celebrations, casual gatherings, or a personal treat, this oversized cookie brings joy and satisfaction to anyone who indulges in it. The combination of a chewy center, crispy edges, and rich chocolate chips ensures that each bite is a delightful experience.

This recipe provides the perfect balance of flavor and texture, but it also offers room for customization. Whether you’re sticking to the classic chocolate chip variety or adding your own creative twist, the giant chocolate chip cookie can easily become your go-to dessert for any occasion. So, preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this deliciously indulgent, oversized cookie. Happy baking!

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