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These are seriously the BEST Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies! This easy recipe uses a secret ingredient to make them soft, chewy and gooey too! I love these tasty chewy chocolate chip cookies.

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stack of 3 cookies with cookie cut in half on top with gooey chocolate chips


This post was sponsored by Karo Corn Syrup. All opinions are my own.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe Video

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Chocolate Chip Cookies are not only the most iconic cookie, but they’re one of my absolute favorites. My basic chocolate chip cookie recipe is the most popular one on this site and I’ve also made tons of variations too! Whenever I think about making cookies it’s going to be chocolate chip with some special add-in or simple technique to make a new kind of cookie. This recipe has a slightly different texture than my original recipe: they’re chewier!

What makes these the BEST Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies?

  • Easy to make
  • One bowl recipe
  • TONS of chocolate
  • Chewy texture AND they stay soft for days

Table of Contents

broken chewy chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients in Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Butter: the best cookies use butter! Use unsalted butter and make sure it’s softened.

Corn Syrup: this is the secret ingredient and I’m switching it in for granulated sugar. See below for more details.

Brown Sugar: I ALWAYS put tons of brown sugar in my chocolate chip cookies – it helps with how soft they turn out.

Egg: cookies need eggs for structure and the fat from the yolk. This also helps them be chewy and soft!

Vanilla extract: for flavor

Baking Soda: to help them spread, but we don’t want them to spread too much so I use just 1/2 teaspoon.

Salt: a must add, especially if you’re using unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, reduce the salt to 1/4 tsp.

All-Purpose Flour: I find this is the perfect flour for cookies!

Chocolate Chips: I use lots of chocolate chips because, YUM!

What makes chocolate chip cookies chewy?

The secret to making chewy chocolate chip cookies is using Karo Corn Syrup (Light). Karo is the perfect ingredient that makes cookies chewier on the outside but still soft in the middle.

Why does Karo Corn Syrup make cookies chewy?

That, as they say, is because of cookie science.

To be a chewy chocolate chip cookie a recipe needs the following:

  • Moisture
  • Strong flour to create more gluten
  • Eggs
  • High sugar and liquid content with less fat
karo bottle with chocolate chip cookies

That last one is why Karo Corn Syrup is the perfect way to make your cookies chewier. Karo is, in effect, a liquid form of sugar. By using a more liquid kind of sugar you get a chewier cookie!

I swapped out granulated sugar for Karo Syrup (Light). The rule of thumb when substituting is 3/4 cup Karo Syrup for 1 cup granulated sugar. Since my original recipe called for 1/3 cup granulated sugar I used 1/4 cup Karo instead.

Karo Syrup is not bad for you: it’s just sugar. It’s NOT high-fructose corn syrup. They are two different things and people confuse them all the time.

  • bowl with butter brown sugar and corn syrup
    Add butter, brown sugar and corn syrup to a bowl.
  • bowl with cookie dough and egg and vanilla
    Cream, then add egg and vanilla
  • cookie dough with salt and baking soda and mixer
    Mix then add salt and baking soda
  • bowl of dough with flour
    Then add flour
  • bowl of cookie dough with chocolate chips
    Mix then add chocolate chips
  • Scoop dough balls then chill then bake

How to make Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Cream: cream the butter with corn syrup and brown sugar using an electric mixer (hand or stand) until smooth.

2. Mix: Mix in egg and vanilla.

3. Dry ingredients: mix in baking soda and salt, then mix in flour and mix just until the batter is smooth and comes together. Add chocolate chips.

4. Scoop: choose what cookie size you want to make (I like using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop) and scoop cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat. There is no need to space them out – we are going to chill the dough. Chill the dough for at least an hour.

Do I have to chill the dough? Can I skip that step?

NO! You MUST chill the dough! Why chill cookie dough? A few reasons:

  • Chilling helps allow the flavors to come together, making a more flavorful cookie
  • Keep cookies soft: a cold cookie bakes puffier and stays softer!

5. Bake: Preheat your oven then bake cookies 2-inches apart on cookie sheets.

stack of chewy chocolate chip cookies

Pro Tips for baking Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Avoid cakey cookies by measuring your flour correctly.
  • Did you know that baking on parchment is different than using a silpat? Silpat baking mats sometimes keep cookies a bit puffier because the silicone grips the cookie dough.
  • Don’t over bake cookies for the perfect soft chewy texture. Know when your cookies are done baking!
  • Variations: Use your favorite mix-ins, up to 1 1/2 cups any kind of chocolate chips or any chopped candy.
  • Make them look perfect: when they come out of the oven, immediately press a few chocolate chips on the top. They’ll melt and be nice and gooey like you see in the photos.

Tip: if you want those gooey chocolate chips on top, add a few to the just baked cookies right when they come out of the oven. The chocolate chips stay melty and make the cookies super pretty!

stack of chocolate chip cookies

I hope that you make several batches of these chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Share them with family and friends and enjoy a chewy cookie with the help of Karo!

FAQ

How to store chewy chocolate chip cookies?

Store these in an airtight container for up to 3 days – they stay soft and chewy!

How to freeze cookie dough?

Scoop balls of cookie dough and place them on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze. Once the balls are frozen, place in an airtight container or gallon size bag and store in the freezer.

Why do cookies spread?

Lots of reasons: too much baking soda can cause spread, as well as too much sugar. Also, if you don’t chill the dough when the recipe calls for it, they will spread.

Why didn’t my cookies flatten?

Cookies don’t flatten when there is too much flour (be sure to measure it correctly) or if they are too cold. If they’ve been chilling a long time you can slightly press them with the palm of your hand before baking to help them start to spread.

This recipe is adapted from the folks at Karo and their Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

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stack of chewy chocolate chip cookies

BEST Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

4.76 from 37 votes
This is seriously the BEST Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. One simple secret ingredient makes these an easy cookie recipe that's soft and chewy.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield 20 cookies
Serving Size 1 g
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Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter softened
  • ¼ cup (59ml) Karo Corn Syrup (Light)
  • ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups (217g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (255g) chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk) plus more for topping
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Instructions

  • Note: This dough requires chilling.
  • Place softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Add Karo Corn Syrup and brown sugar and mix on low speed until the mixture is smooth. Tip: spray your measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray before measuring your corn syrup. This will ensure easy pouring. Mix in egg and vanilla extract and mix on medium speed until combined.
  • Mix in baking soda and salt, then slowly mix in flour and mix just until the batter is smooth and comes together. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl during mixing. Slowly mix in chocolate chips.
  • Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Scoop 2 tablespoon balls of dough onto the cookie sheet. Spacing doesn’t matter because you will be chilling the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a second cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Remove the chilled cookie dough balls from the refrigerator and space them 2-inches apart on the cookie sheets. Bake (2 tablespoon sized cookies) for 11-15 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden and the tops are no longer glossy. Let cool on the cookie sheets at least 10 minutes before removing.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Try using white chocolate chips or a combination of milk, semi-sweet, and white chocolate chips instead of all one flavor. You can even substitute butterscotch or peanut butter chips, or add your favorite nuts. Just keep the amount of add-ins to 1 1/2 cups.
  • To get the melty glossy chocolate chip look I have, add a few chocolate chips to the top of the cookies when they come out of the oven. They’ll melt, stick and then cool and be super gooey!

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 16mg | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

Karo is the leading corn syrup brand with over 100 years of quality and trust from multiple generations. I’ve used Karo Syrup my whole life: my Mom’s Pecan Pie wouldn’t be the same without it. Ingredients come together with Karo to create delicious recipes the same way that people come together to create joyful traditions. Every time you use a bottle of Karo syrup you are keeping tradition, like I do every year when making my mom’s pie recipe. From pecan pie to chocolate chip cookies, whatever it is, your baking comes together with Karo to make life sweet.

Karo Syrup has a ton of other great benefits, besides chewier cookies. Did you know that corn syrup can enhance flavors, help your recipes brown, and even helps with freshness of recipes?

**Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!**

chocolate chip cookies with Karo

Last Updated on May 4, 2021



Dorothy Kern

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Recipe Rating




33 Comments

  2. Hi this recipe is delicious! I love it! But I have just one concern…my cookies don’t spread into a nice flat cookie. They are kinda fat. I’m sure the flour is AP and it’s exactly 1 3/4 cup. Any suggestions
    To make them flatter (not flat flat) and rounder

    Reply

    1. I often find they don’t flatten as much if they are super cold from chilling a long time – or depening on how soft the butter was when you started. If you’re noticing they’re not flattening properly, just lightly press them with the palm of your hand (I’ll often do this while they’re in the oven after about half time) or you can do it before they go into the oven just to make sure they don’t stay in a ball. Note though that these should stay puffy, but not a round ball.

      Reply

  3. Just wanted to let you know that I made these last Christmas and this is the chocolate chip cookie recipe I’ve been looking for!!! It was the Karo Syrup, I guess, that did it! Had to give your recipe to my nephew, who also was looking for his favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It was the BEST!!! Of course, I’m making them for this Christmas!!!
    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Were you careful to double all the ingredients (especially the flour)? It sounds like you may not have doubled the flour or maybe you didn’t chill them?

      Reply

  5. Hi, I haven’t yet made these, but I did bake a batch of your original recipe, and they are delish! As I get ready to make these, would you perhaps know if I could substitute Agave for the corn syrup, since that’s all that I have on hand??

    Thank you!

    Reply

    1. I haven’t tried that but I think it would work. It might not make them as chewy though – so let me know how they turn out!

      Reply

    2. I switched corn syrup for agave nectar in peanut butter choc chip cookes, and it turned out perfect!
      I am now getting ready to try plain choc chip cookies with agave nectar instead of corn syrup!

      Reply

  8. Hi – can’t wait to try these. I hope they are the chocolate chip cookie I’ve been looking for. Question – this recipe is for 20 cookies. When you increase the number you want to make, I don’t understand what 0.5 or 0.8 means in how much is this. So to make 40 cookies, just double the recipe?

    Reply

  9. Hands down the very best cookies I have ever made. Pillowy texture, like a cloud! Who knew that Karo syrup would do that to a cookie?!

    Reply

  10. Ten stars! Hands down the very best chocolate chip cookies I have ever made. Soft, and the texture is perfect. I’m in trouble as these are amazing!!!

    Reply