Craving those warm, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chunk cookies you find at Costco? Forget the bulk-buying trip! This recipe lets you recreate that deliciousness in your own kitchen, with a few simple ingredients and even simpler steps. Get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible treats – perfect for sharing (or not!). This easy recipe is perfect for a quick dessert or a satisfying treat after a long day. Let's get started on this homemade cooking adventure!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks (or chips)
Instructions:
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can certainly use a good old-fashioned hand mixer or even a strong arm and a wooden spoon!
Step 2: Adding Wet Ingredients
Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Don't overmix; just until everything is nicely combined.
Step 3: Combining Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 4: Stirring in Chocolate
Stir in the chocolate chunks until they're evenly distributed throughout the dough. Resist the urge to eat the dough (though we understand the temptation!).
Step 5: Baking the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
Step 6: Cooling and Enjoying
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, enjoy your warm, delicious, homemade Costco-inspired chocolate chunk cookies!
Tips for the Best Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is properly softened – not melted, but easily spreadable. This will help create a smooth and creamy dough.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Baking Time Varies: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts to the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Different Chocolate: Experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate.
- Spices: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, comforting twist.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 2g
This information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Enjoy baking these delicious cookies! They're a perfect treat for any occasion and a great way to enjoy the taste of Costco's famous chocolate chunk cookies without leaving your home. Let us know in the comments how yours turned out!