New York Style Chocolate Chip Cookies

The perfect New York Style Chocolate Chip Cookie is a symphony of textures crisp, buttery edges give way to a thick, soft center oozing with melted chocolate. These bakery-style cookies are larger than life, and that’s part of the charm. Every bite is indulgent, rich, and deeply satisfying.

This recipe channels the big, bold cookie energy you’d expect from a New York bakery and brings it right into your kitchen. Whether you enjoy them with a cold glass of milk, warm from the oven, or packaged up as a gift, they’ll quickly become a go-to favorite for any occasion. Thick, chewy, and absolutely irresistible!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips

• Optional: flaked sea salt for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Fold in chocolate chips or chunks evenly.

6. Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons), drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

7. For best texture, chill the formed dough balls for 20 minutes before baking (optional but recommended).

8. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are still soft.

9. If desired, sprinkle with sea salt immediately after baking. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 340 kcal | Servings: 16 large cookies

When it comes to iconic American desserts, few treats hold the universal appeal of the classic chocolate chip cookie. Yet, among the many variations out there, the New York Style Chocolate Chip Cookie stands out as a luxurious, bakery-grade indulgence. Known for its massive size, rich flavor, crispy edges, and soft, gooey center, this cookie is not just a snack it’s an experience.

Inspired by the famed cookies from renowned New York bakeries such as Levain and Chip NYC, this style of cookie is unapologetically bold. They are substantial, chunky, and generously packed with chocolate, making them perfect for dessert lovers who crave decadence in every bite.

The Signature Features of a New York Cookie

These cookies have a distinct personality bigger, bolder, and more indulgent than the standard homemade version. Here are a few defining traits:

• Thickness & Texture: New York-style cookies are notably thick. They’re often two to three inches tall and have a crisp outer shell that hides a tender, nearly doughy interior. Achieving this requires chilling the dough and using just the right balance of leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder.
• Chocolate-Forward Flavor: These cookies don’t hold back on the chocolate. Whether made with semi-sweet chips, dark chunks, or a mix of both, the chocolate is often the hero ingredient. Some bakers even add chopped chocolate bars or a blend of different chocolate varieties for layers of depth.
• Buttery Richness: With a generous amount of butter, the flavor profile of these cookies is incredibly rich. The butter not only contributes to the soft center but also provides the perfect backdrop for the chocolate to shine.
• Optional Sea Salt Topping: A small pinch of flaky sea salt on top adds contrast, enhancing the sweetness while elevating the overall complexity of flavor.

Why People Love Them

There’s something almost nostalgic and comforting about a chocolate chip cookie, but the New York version takes it to the next level. These cookies cater to both the crunch lovers and the soft-bite enthusiasts, thanks to their dual texture. They’re also perfect for sharing (or not no judgment!) and are just as welcome at a kids’ birthday party as they are at a gourmet dessert table.

They also have excellent Instagram appeal, with their golden-brown exteriors, oozing chocolate chips, and artisan-style appearance. These cookies look as good as they taste, making them a favorite among food bloggers, content creators, and anyone who loves to share their culinary creations online.

Baking Techniques That Make a Difference

Achieving that authentic New York-style bakery texture and flavor at home isn’t difficult but it does require attention to a few key techniques:

• Chill the Dough: Letting the cookie dough rest in the fridge for at least 20–30 minutes (or ideally overnight) helps solidify the fat, which prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking. This results in a puffier, thicker cookie.
• Don’t Overmix: Once the flour is added, avoid overmixing the dough. Overworking the flour activates gluten, which can lead to tough, cakey cookies instead of chewy ones.
• Use High-Quality Chocolate: The chocolate is front and center in this recipe, so it’s worth investing in a good-quality brand. Look for chocolate with a cacao content of around 60–70% for a nice balance of sweetness and richness.
• Large Dough Scoops: These cookies are meant to be big. Using an ice cream scoop or even weighing the dough balls to 3 oz or more ensures you’ll get that signature bakery heft.

A Cookie for Every Occasion

Whether you’re preparing for a cozy night in, gifting a homemade treat, or prepping for a bake sale, these cookies fit the bill. Their size alone makes them impressive, but it’s their flavor that keeps people coming back for more.

They’re also freezer-friendly bake a batch, cool them completely, then freeze them in an airtight container. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake fresh cookies on demand.

Pair them with a cold glass of milk for an after-dinner treat, or with coffee or espresso for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. You can even elevate them further by using them to make ice cream sandwiches or crumbling them over a bowl of vanilla bean gelato.

Health & Nutrition Considerations

Let’s be honest these cookies are not health food, and that’s totally okay. They’re meant to be indulgent, and when enjoyed in moderation, they offer the kind of satisfaction only a warm, gooey, chocolate-packed cookie can bring.

That said, they can be easily customized:

• Use whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber.
• Swap some of the butter with Greek yogurt to reduce fat.
• Replace some sugar with coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option.
• Use dark chocolate for antioxidants and a richer, less-sweet flavor.

They can also be adapted for specific dietary needs with substitutions for gluten-free flour blends or vegan butter and egg alternatives.

Popular Variations

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can start experimenting. Here are a few fun spins on the classic New York-style chocolate chip cookie:

• Peanut Butter Swirl: Add dollops of peanut butter to the dough and swirl it in before baking.
• Double Chocolate: Use cocoa powder in the dough for a deep chocolate cookie with even more chocolate chips.
• Salted Caramel: Fold in caramel bits and top with a sprinkle of sea salt.
• S’mores Style: Add crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows.
• Espresso Chip: Add a tablespoon of instant espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor.

How to Store New York Style Cookies

To maintain their soft and chewy texture, store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days. If you like them warm and gooey, a quick 10–15 seconds in the microwave will bring back their just-baked quality.

The cookie dough can also be stored in the fridge for up to 72 hours or frozen for up to 3 months. Always bake from chilled or frozen for best results when it comes to structure and thickness.

Conclusion: The Best Cookie You’ll Ever Bake

There’s a reason New York Style Chocolate Chip Cookies are so beloved. They combine the best of both cookie worlds: the crisp, golden exterior and the soft, melty center. Packed with rich chocolate and bursting with flavor, they embody the indulgence and joy of old-school baking with a modern, upscale twist.

They’re more than just a cookie they’re a statement dessert. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, mastering this cookie will boost your confidence and become a staple in your sweet recipe arsenal.