It’s better to just let it be what it is.
I had every intention of making you a fancy Easter brunch cake… the kind with lemon and lavender and swirly frosting… but as I stood in my kitchen (with exactly zero lemons), and evaluated my desire to go to the store (to buy hella lemons), I thought… can’t it just be what it is?
What it is, is CHOCOLATE. That’s what I want. That’s what I need. That’s what I have in abundance in my kitchen.
In the spirit of letting it be what it is, I’ve taken all of these photographs on my phone, on the fly. I also wasn’t wearing shoes and had frizzy hair. What else is new? Rhetorical question.
I made these cookies for us. This is that.
Things start, as they always do. Ingredients on my dining room table. Measured precisely and places in small bowls in a pleasing manner.
Softened butter is one of life’s great pleasures. I’m sure of it.
Double chocolate cookies require cocoa powder: dark and in abundance.
Flour too. Leavening and such. Salt also!
Butter and sugar is creamed to creaminess. Technical terms.
Remainders.
It doesn’t actually take all of these little bowls to make Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you’re a food blogger, apparently it does.
If you make cookies more than once a year, I highly recommend owning one of these little purple ice cream / cookie scoops.
Perfect portioning is pretty dang satisfying.
This is how it all goes down.
I had to convince my 80-something year old grandfather that the rip in my jeans was fashionable and not a sign of vagrancy. So… that’s my situation.
Also these chocolate cookies are really soft and melty inside.
You know how much we love Chocolate Chip Cookies? Yea… for real.
Well. We doubled the chocolate and we’re here to stay!
These cookies are extra chocolatey and satisfying, but not super sweet. Thank you dark chocolate! The only trick is to not over-bake these little darlings. They can get dry pretty quickly in the oven and that’s downright criminal. Under-baking is best.
It’s nice to just do what we do. Especially when that involves chocolate.
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
makes 24 cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 to 6 ounces dark chocolate chips or chunks
coarse sea salt, for topping (optional)
Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat for 1 minute more.
In a medium bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients all at once to the butter and egg mixture. Beat on low speed until just combined.
Stop the mixer and stir in the chocolate chunks.
Scoop dough using a small cookie scoop, or by rolling dough by the heaping tablespoonful. Place on cookie sheet, leaving about 2-inches between each dough ball.
Bake for 11 to 12 minutes or until cookies are just done. It’s even ok if these cookies are slightly under baked. Try your darndest not to over bake them. Allow to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool before storing. Cookies are best within 3 days of baking.
Maclean Nash
I have made these cookies multiple times and they always turn out perfectly and everyone loves them!
I have also made them with peanut butter chocolate chips and they were ahhhmazing!
Your recipes never disappoint, thank you, Joy!
MacleanN.
These cookies are INCREDIBLE!
They came out perfectly! This is one of the few times I made a recipe and my final product came out looking like the photos!
Thank you so much! Joy, you are the best!
xo
Kelly
Do you recommend chilling the dough first?
Lauren
Hi joy! I made these only mine didn’t really thin out as they were baking.. they baked like little domes.. did yours do this at any point?
Sandra Bo
Hi Joy! I baked these yesterday to give them as a birthday treat and they were a big hit, everyone was tempted to eat them before dinner. Just as dinner was over the cookies disappeared in seconds! I’m a BIG coffee fan so I added a packet of instant coffee with the egg and vanilla and some white chocolate for fun. Great recipe! THANKS!
raufikat
Hi Joy! I just wanted to let you know these were amazing! I added 1/2 tsp chilli powder and 1/2 tsp cinnamon to give them a spicy heat and they were delicious! Thanks for a great recipe
joythebaker
Right on!
Connie
I just baked them and ooooh my goooood <3 delicious!!!
Natalie
These are some of the best cookies ever! Thank you for the recipe. It’s like a brownie cookie, cookie brownie. Think I’ll make another batch for the weekend.
Katie
These are my daughter’s favorite cookies! I will be making them for the 3rd year in a row for her to take to school on her birthday!
Suzanne Goldman
Excellent recipe ! They turned out perfect. Thanks for the tip on underbaking them.
Sarah
I made these today but added instant coffee and peppermint chips for a peppermint mocha cookie – so good!
Amanda
These are exceptional! However, I suspect the recipe should read 1 cup butter, not 1/2. Thanks for the recipe! My daughter’s name is Joy, and she loves to watch me in the kitchen ?.
happiestplaceinamerica
Just made these last night and they were PERFECT! I baked them a little longer then the recipe called for, about 14 minutes. Thanks Joy!
Kristina
This recipe is old(er), but I just have to say, HOLY COW! These were amazing. I swapped out a few ounces of dark chocolate for semi-sweet to appease the kids in the house and it was a total hit. A co-worker declared these the best cookies I have ever made and I make a metric ton of cookies every year. Awesome recipe!
Leanne
I have my second pan in the oven now, these are really yummy! Thanks for posting!!!
Annaliese
These are tasty! Used whole wheat pastry flour, added about 1 cup homemade toffee chunks, and also used 1/2 cup dark brown sugar and 1/2 cup coconut sugar in place of the white. Also replaced butter with virgin coconut oil. Yum! Didn’t spread a ton, but still delicious.
Madison Punch
Yeah it didn’t work, darn it
I have no idea what i did wrong
Sydney | Modern Granola
I just made these, and they were so fabulous! I used Dutch process cocoa and it worked out beautifully. Thanks for the scrumptious recipe!
Sue
These cookies may be the best I’ve ever made…and I make a ton of cookies…Does your batter turn out really,really thick? Mine did. Maybe I made them too big( I usually do) ,because I had to flatten them a little..thoughts?
Lourdes
I found this recipe today and 4 hours later here I am eating the cookies. To start they looked amazing and they tasted like heaven in a cookie! the outside was crunchy and the inside all chewy and melty! It is by far one of my favorite cookie recipes
Vannesa
Would it make a difference if I use a hand mixer (whisk attachment) instead? I do not have a standing mixer at home :(
joythebaker
Go for it, Vannesa! Get those cookies going!
francisca
Hi! Love your blog! I did this recepie and my only problem was that they turned out flat :(
The dough was just like yours in the photos but once in the oven they flattened out. Help! What do you think went wrong??? Greetings from Santiago de Chile!
Emma
I have been trying so many double chocolate chip cookies and these are the best. They use less ingredients than most and remind me of oreos. So awesome and yummy!
Libby
I’m on the hunt this year for new holiday baking, and I stumbled on this recipe. Just to make them a bit more festive, as soon as they came out of the oven I dusted them with crushed candy cane. Delicious and even a wee bit adorable.
Cookiemonster
is this type of cookie dough okay for using a cookie cutter?
joythebaker
i’m afraid these are not cookie cutter cookies.
dani e
these cookies were amazing by the way…i dont know why it took me so long to actually make them. thank you so much for sharing the recipe…lovely…just heaven!
abby
Have you ever frozen this cookie dough after it’s scooped and baked from the frozen state? I wonder how they’d turn out since the dough isn’t ever chilled.
Shelby
These cookies look so delicious! And the fact that they’re double chocolate chip had me wanting them even before I read the recipe! I’m a chocolate lover and would choose to eat pretty much anything that is chocolate or anything else, so I’ll definitely be giving this recipe a try. It doesn’t look too complicated and I loved how you measured all the ingredients out before mixing them together; makes it much easier.
Loved the pictures also! They made the cookies look soo good and perfect and I’m not sure how people could only make cookies once a year! I love baking and make them all the time :)
Shelby
These cookies look absolutely delicious! And the fact that they’re double chocolate chip cookies won me over before I even read the recipe. I’m a chocolate lover and would choose to eat a brownie or something chocolate over anything! I will definitely be giving this recipe a try because I love to bake and who doesn’t love cookies?! It also seems like a pretty do-able recipe so thanks for that! People who only make cookies once a year?! Say what!!
You took awesome pictures and I love the little bowls and how you measured everything out before mixing all the ingredients; makes it so much easier!
Katie P.
I made these yesterday for a potluck with friends, and they were the first dessert item to be gone. Super good! Definitely going to be my go-to double chocolate chip cookie recipe from now on.
shirley @ Sweet Cheeks HQ
Making these right now! Super excited
Marium
I just made some, and i must say they taste heavenly, BUT even though I baked them for an extra 3-4 minutes the insides are still slightly too gooey. Although I don’t mind fudgey goodness, my family prefers cookies a bit more on the crispier side. Do you know what I could do next time so they end up a bit crispier?
Arzu
Could we reduce the flour and add oatmeal. I am looking for a cookie recepie with oatmeal but i just could not find what i want. Thanks :)
joythebaker
Hi Arzu, you can reduce the flour slightly, maybe by 1/4 cup and just add in some oats.That would be amazing!
The Queen of Dreaming
Delicious, I know what is gonna be desert tomorrow!
http://justsem.wordpress.com/
Lucie
Your Grandfather reminds me of my Daddy and his disapproval of my colourful tights :-) He always wants me to dress like a lady not like a hippie (well, he may be right as I’m 26 but still…) and I always disappoint him.
The cookies look lovely!
Renee @ Awesome on $20
Oh, Joy! I love it when you get extra real. Also, chocolate.
Barbara Dixon
These cookies are amazing. Thank you for this recipe.
Angela
They’re really good Joy :-). *blissfully munches on a chocolate cookie*
sarahjmir
Mmmmm look so good. To add or not to add pistachios? I have a bit of a crush on them these days…
David | From Ballparks to BBQ
“We doubled the chocolate and we’re here to stay!” This should be my life’s motto.
Emma
Chocolate chip cookies are always a good call. I loooove your kitchen/worksurface space – it’s bright and airy and definitely the inspiration for my own kitchen one day.
Heather @ Sarap Life
Love these cookies but more importantly love the ice cream scooper tip. I need to buy one… Although I never mind the cookies that end up too big ;)
Thea's Kitchen
Hi Joy, made a batch of these babies for Easter…but I substituted cranberries (fresh and tart) for the chocolate chunks. Everyone at our table gave them a big thumbs up. They were cake like in texture, lovely and soft. I’m not sure if they were supposed to be but that is how mine came out. I will definitely be making these again as they didn’t survive the evening! ;-)
Shannon
I just made these to bring to our Easter Brunch today and they may not make it there. Using my best black cocoa, best vanilla dark chocolate brick shaved into chunks, a little sprinkle of Maldon salt on top and yeah……These are in my opinion the very best chocolate cookie I’ve ever had. WOW. Amazing. Thank you!
Sarah
I’m going to make these tomorrow but throw some peanut butter chips in there, too! It’ll be a little pb+chocolate lovefest! Thanks!
Amanda Glavin
Just finished making these and am in love. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Alice
Just made these. Scrumptious goodness!! Very easy! I used 6oz Ghiradelli 50% bittersweet Cacao premium baking chips. I baked them convection at 350 degrees for 11 minutes and they were just perfect. A little crunch around the edges and perfect inside. I salted them after baking. They look just like Joy’s picture. I will make these again and again! Maybe add some chopped nuts.
sweetgreyhappenings
Ha! Every time I wear my torn jeans over to my grandparents’, my grandfather (84) asks if I can lost part of mine :) Big hugs to Grandparents!!
Maria V
I went right home and made a double batch! They were everything you and your pictures promised! Easter chocolate fix…..CHECK? Thanks, Joy!!
tracy
oh joy those look delicious and fab! Happy Easter!!!
Heather
Oh my! I was always wondering how people got their cookies so perfect and looking all the same!!
Mine always look so messy, I am definitely buying an ice cream scooper this weekend :)
une aiguille dans l potage
Ces cookies ont l’air délicieux !
Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody)
Oh my gosh, I have some serious cookie envy right now. I made plain chocolate chip cookies this morning and I’m so wishing I saw this recipe first! Oh well, saved for next time. ;)
Hari Chandana
Woww.. Lovely cookies.. looks super gorgeous and tempting.. thanks for the wonderful recipe!!
Elise
Hi, let’s be friends.
kthanksbye.
Also, how’s Jules adjusting to New Orleans??? Moves are always so stressful on our furry friends.
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking
I hear ya! I meant to bake carrot cake or something carroty with a cute decoration and all I wanted was chocolate pudding cookies. Guilty! Glad to know I’m in good company! These double chocolate cookies look amazing! Mmmm those melty chocolate chips just got me!
Lisa Czepiel
Yes, this one can do. U cook like I do and my favourite choc is dark. Thanks so much.
Courtney {FitCakes}
Joy, I can smell the chocolate now. I’m so into this idea of easy chocolate cookies!
Nancy@SeasonsOfJoy
Funny that you posted this recipe when you did, as I needed to bake something today for my husband’s work, and I was thinking of chocolate-chocolate chip cookies, but my recipe called for melted unsweetened bars, vs. cocoa. I really wanted a recipe with cocoa, as I love my Double Dutch Dark cocoa from King Arthur Flour. I made a double batch of these, and they are divine! My son is home from college this weekend, and I have some for him now, too. Thank you!!
joythebaker
great minds think alike!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
Holy moly, my mouth is watering — these look SO GOOD!
Briel K.
Yummers! I need to make these!
Melanie
I love when you post recipes when I’m working from home. Afternoon coffee always has a great snack with it :)
but i'm hungry
Chocolate on chocolate… nothing wrong with that! These look like heaven.
Nisha
Do you recommend natural or dutch processed cocoa powder?
joythebaker
I used a natural cocoa powder for these cookies. I think either cocoa powder will be fine in this recipe. Great question. I amend the recipe.
Angie
Do you use regular unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch process cocoa? Or does it matter? I want to try them right away!
shelly
joy, you’ve sound like you’ve had it up to here with something or other! maybe just tired as moving and life can be. your post still looks great. and making do with what you have is a motto i’m coming to embrace whole heartedly, especially when it comes to cooking!
joythebaker
it does sound like i’ve had it up to my ears, right? i’m sorry. i think moving and traveling is catching up with me. i’m still in the kitchen though! thank you for sticking with me!
shelly
:) no worries! it only makes you all the more relatable because we’ve all been there! no need to apologize, hope you get some time to relax soon!
Leanne T
After seeing the chocolate cookie picture on Instagram yesterday and finding myself drooling over my phone, I am soooo happy to find the recipe here today! You totally Rock!
Niki
did you chill the dough before baking, or do they stay that puffy on their own? :)
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
I love the ripped jeans! Looks FAB! And these cookies are calling my name!
Jenny
ha! I’m really glad you posted the link to this recipe on Facebook today, Joy – I need to make a batch of cookies for my dark-chocolate-loving husband to feed to his exam-taking students tomorrow… ironically, double chocolate cookies were exactly what was on my mind. I was just missing a recipe!
Looking at that cookie cross-section, I’m clearly going to have to double the recipe if I want the students themselves to get any… teehee.
joythebaker
doubling this recipe sounds like your best bet!
Synne
This laid-back, chocolatey post was exactly what I needed right now! Thank you, Joy – and Happy Easter!
joythebaker
Happy Easter, Synne!
Taylor
mmm! chocolate + chocolate is exactly what I needed this week.
xoxo
Taylor
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
Chocolate is always what I want! And double chocolate is even better.
sundiegoeats
I have been known to eat all the chocolate chips (and surrounding millimeter of cookie) in chocolate chip cookies and then leave the un-chocolate chip filled plain parts. This cookie would solve that problem :)
Dale
These look amazing, as usual (as does your place – so much light!). I am really missing my mixer right now :(
Meredith
Chocolate makes any day better and double chocolate can only mean double good!
becca - cookie jar treats
I haven’t made cookies in so long :( I need to get back into baking… when school isn’t being mean to me.
Chris
I’m going to convert these to gluten free. I must. I hope you don’t mind… I love dark chocolate!
joythebaker
These would be great with a gluten-free flour mix! I might just add an additional large egg yolk.
Ana
speaking of ripped jeans…I love those! Where are they from?!?!
joythebaker
the jeans!? I think they’re Kensie brand.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
Love love love the on the fly, love your style girl!
Susan
These sound delicious! Have you been to Cafe Du Monde for their
Beignets? They are delicious! I tried making them and they make a mess! Please do a tutorial on them!
PS
I love your jeans! Can you share where you bought them?
foodlikecake
Your cookies are amazing! They look so chocolatey!
DessertForTwo
Thanks for keepin’ it real with phone photos. That’s pretty gutsy as a food blogger, but you know this. I happen to think these photos are awesome.
Your new space looks perf! :)
Jana H.
These will definitely be made this weekend. I’m hoping they will placate my dad’s displeasure in my epic hair cut this week. Chocolate covers a multitude of sins, right? Thanks for the awesome chocolatey goodness, Joy!
joythebaker
now i’m curious about this haircut! happy weekend!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
ya even if a recipe calls for one bowl cookies, i end up using 3-4 easily..i guess its a life of a foodblogger :) apparently are grand parents are worried about our ripped jeans, just tell him it costs equal if not more for ripped variety rather than a regular kind :P
Annie
Chocolate is a universal crowd pleaser! The darker the chocolate the better!
Chelsea @ Gal on a Mission
I am a huge sucker for chocolate and you give me double chocolate, oh my! Looks delicious!
Katrina @ WVS
“what it is” is always chocolate in my kitchen too. It’s something I always have on hand!! Love these cookies Joy!
LB
Thank you so much for not making something lemony. I love lemons but not in cake. I love the smell of lavendar but not in food. But I do adore chocolate with a passion.
Also, are there really people who only make cookies once a year? I’m sure there are but it’s such a sad thought. I make them at least once a week!
joythebaker
i dunno. i think there might be people who only make cookies once a year. i’m clearly trying to change their minds.
Rebekah {aCricketSang}
I’ll take double chocolate anything ;) These look delicous!
Liza M.
These would have been perfect for the “chocolate festival” I’m having with my students today (in honor of the movie Chocolat and, well, Easter)! Next year…
ps. Curious about the white cabinet there’s a little glimpse of near your table.
joythebaker
i think that white cabinet i got through Home Goods. happy baking!
Adrienne K
Thank you thank you. I came looking for these cookies after your Instagram post yesterday…. (Needed chocolate) Can’t wait to make them!
Bonnie-Jean
I would have loved to read about a fancy easter brunch cake but I’m more likely to try baking these cookies! I totally get the thing with your grandfather – my 84 year old grandmother wanted to mend my jeans for me! I then thought maybe I was embarassing her by wearing them and so on my next visit planned to wear something else but all I own is denim and I hadn’t realised before but every pair of shorts or jeans are frayed cut offs or have holes on purpose. May just have to purchase a specific outfit for visiting my grandmother or maybe I could just take her some of these cookies…..
LoveYourEgo
Now I want them too! I wanted them from the minute I saw how gooey they were on the inside! I’m glad you didn’t get to make lemon cake and I think the photos turned out pretty well!
http://love-your-ego.blogspot.de
Carlinne @Cook with 2 Chicks
Double chocolate? I’m in! Great pics :)
emmajeanne16
I love the little bowls. Mise en place. Mise en place. I am still trying to teach my husband.
Sophie
Beautiful photos!
Ellen
I have been on a chocolate chip cookie exploration the last few weeks making lots of new recipes. I’m adding this one to the queue!
Belinda Lo (Moonblush Baker)
From your phone!!?? You are a photographic genius! I wish i could take photos as perfect as this on a real camera.
I am lookinf forward to the sale on chocolate to make this. They are so puffy and tender looking.
joythebaker
the secret to great phone photos is the VSCO photo editing app. check it!
Rachel
Two things. a) Kudos for these amazing photos on your phone. I tried that last year when my camera card snapped and I was too lazy to go across the street to Target and let the food get cold, and it was a complete total fail. I have no words for how bad the photos were. b) I wanted to comment this on Instagram but apparently Instagram would not let me as it caught its spam comment barrier: My.
joythebaker
i wonder why you got spam blocked! i’m sorry! hi rachel!
thefoodieteen
they look incredible!
Donna Jensen
I made these cookies for my super bowl party. They were super easy and super delicious!!
rambleonrockstar
This is exactly what I’m going to need at the end of this oh so long week.