Thick, fudgy, and supremely chocolatey, these ULTIMATE chocolate cookies are loaded with melty chocolate! They are easy to make without a mixer and need just 30 minutes to chill. Recipe includes a how-to video!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make; there’s no creaming butter, rolling out dough, or long chilling time. Just a 30-minute stint in the fridge, and you’re ready to scoop!
- Ultimate chocolate flavor. thanks to bloomed cocoa, a hint of instant coffee, and chopped chocolate bars.
- Thick, chewy, and fudgy like brownies. They even have that shiny, crackly top that all the best brownies have!
- Large, bakery-style size. This just enhances the indulgence! You could always make them smaller if you want normal-sized cookies though.
I haven’t been so in love with a cookie since my worst chocolate chip cookies (or maybe just since the last cookie recipe I shared, honestly 🤷🏼♀️). Ridiculously indulgent, thick and chocolatey, these are truly a chocolate lover’s dream; rich, gooey, cocoa-infused chocolate cookies positively loaded with melty chocolate.
Today’s post is actually an updated version of my original chocolate cookie recipe. The original was good (I linked to it in the recipe card for anyone who wants it), but I wanted something richer, fudgier, and more chocolatey (I was calling them the ultimate chocolate cookies, after all). My taste-testers agreed hands-down that the new version was the clear winner.
What You Need
Here’s what you need to get started:
- Cocoa powder. While you can use any cocoa powder in this recipe, I prefer natural cocoa to Dutch process or dark cocoa here. You can read about the differences between them in my post on natural vs. Dutch process cocoa and decide for yourself which you want to use, for some recipes (like my chocolate sugar cookies or chocolate shortbread) Dutch is the better choice, but not here..
- Sugar. We’ll use a blend of granulated and light brown sugar for flavor and a nice chewy texture.
- Instant coffee. This is optional, but highly recommended! Adding it won’t make your cookies taste like coffee, but it will enhance the chocolate flavors that are already present. I recommend keeping this stocked in your pantry; I use it for everything from my coffee frosting to my chocolate zucchini bread.
- Chocolate. I like to use a semisweet or dark chocolate baking bar for the best melting and indulgence (the fine pieces melt into the dough and add so much flavor). You could use 8 oz of chocolate chips instead, but I recommend chopping your own bar for the most gourmet results.
- Vanilla. This complements and rounds out the chocolate flavor without competing with it. I recently received some pushback that vanilla doesn’t belong in chocolate recipes, let alone chocolate cookies, and I couldn’t disagree more. The vanilla is complementary to the chocolate flavor and only enhances it. I add it to my devil’s food cake too, and that’s about as chocolatey as you can get!
SAM’S TIP: I highly recommend sprinkling your cookies with some flaky sea salt within a minute or two of removing them from the oven. Yum.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Chocolate Cookies
- Melt the butter, then whisk in the cocoa and instant coffee. Adding these ingredients while the butter is still hot will bloom them and enhance their flavor.
- Vigorously whisk in the sugars, eggs, and vanilla until the batter is smooth and well-combined.
- Fold in the dry ingredients with a spatula until completely combined.
- Add the chopped chocolate and keep folding until incorporated. Cover and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll large scoops of cookie dough between your palms and place on your prepared baking sheets.
- Bake, then let cool completely on the baking sheets before removing and enjoying.
SAM’S TIP: These cookies should still be soft and the centers may seem even a little under-done when they come out of the oven. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet where they’ll finish cooking. This ensures you’ll have nice, soft, chewy chocolate cookies that stay soft, even after they’ve cooled.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t have to add it, but your cookies won’t have as deep of a chocolate flavor if you leave it out. I am not a coffee drinker, but I keep instant coffee on hand and add it to my chocolate desserts all the time (like my chocolate mousse!). I promise it won’t make your cookies taste like coffee!
Yes! After chilling the dough, you can follow the instructions in my post on how to freeze cookie dough. I especially love to do this during the holiday season!
These chocolate cookies are extremely fragile while warm. It’s important to let them cool completely on the baking sheet before trying to handle them. This also ensures a chewy texture; we’ll underbake them in the oven so they can finish baking on the hot cookie sheets outside the oven. If they’re still falling apart once cooled, they may have just needed more time in the oven.
My double chocolate muffins and chocolate lava cookies are more crave-worthy chocolate treats 🤎
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of all the newest recipes, and find my free recipe tutorials on YouTube 💜
Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
- ⅔ cups (65 g) natural cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon instant coffee grounds optional
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar firmly packed
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
- 8 oz semisweet or dark chocolate bar chopped into small pieces
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Place butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until completely melted.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
- Immediately add cocoa powder and instant coffee (if using) and whisk until well-combined.⅔ cups (65 g) natural cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon instant coffee grounds
- Add sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract and whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined and batter is smooth.1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a separate, medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon table salt
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet until completely combined.
- Add chopped chocolate and stir until well distributed.8 oz semisweet or dark chocolate bar
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Once dough has chilled, scoop into 3 Tablespoon-sized scoops (60g) (for more uniform cookies, roll between your palms into smooth balls) and place on prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2” (5cm) apart.
- Transfer to center rack of 350F (175C) oven and bake for 9-11 minutes. Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet before enjoying.
Notes
Cocoa powder
I prefer this recipe with natural cocoa powder but Dutch cocoa and dark cocoa powder work as well.Size
This recipe makes large cookies, you can certainly scoop them smaller, just bake for less time.Storing
Allow cookies to cool completely then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.Original recipe
The original recipe was published in 2019 and I improved upon this recipe, making the cookie more fudgy and chocolatey. If you’re looking for the original, you can find it here, but note that I am no longer accepting comments on the original.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Related Recipes
I originally published this recipe in May of 2019 but have updated it. I’ve updated and (in my opinion) improved the recipe and taken new photos and a new video. For the original recipe, please see the bottom of the recipe card.
Shar
I followed the recipe using chocolate chips and it was so good! I forgot I ran out of parchment paper so I used the cookie sheet and they came out perfectly. I don’t like my cookie too soft so I was glad the bottom had a tiny crunch and the rest of the cookie was still soft, it was delightful! Thanks so much 🙂
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Shar! Thanks for the review 😊
Kayla
I had this saved in my bookmarks from a few years ago and didn’t realize until halfway through that it was a different recipe LOL. I was skeptical but these are 100% the best chocolate cookies I have ever made. The only thing I changed was that I did some white and milk chocolate chips in place of the chocolate bar. Thanks for the amazing recipe!! 🙂
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are so happy you enjoyed them, Kayla! 🥰
Ana
My supermarket only had espresso instant coffee. Will this be too strong? I’ll leave it out if the espresso will be too powerful. Thanks!
Sam
I would use just a bit less of it (like 1/4 teaspoon) and you should be fine 🙂
Carolyn
Excited to try these. Could the dough be refrigerated overnight?
Sam
Hi Carolyn! An overnight chill will work just fine. 🙂
Yaritza
Delicious recipe I subbed all the chocolate for a mixture of caramel & chocolate chips with pecans! Made them into turtle cookies!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much! 🙂
Bonni
I was so excited to make these. I used cocoa rouge but I wouldn’t do it again…too dark. The first trays came out with a burnt taste, so I added cinnamon to the rest of the dough and baked a shorter time & they were better. I live in the Denver area & didn’t adjust for altitude (thought they would be ok) so they are flat. Next time…..😒
Sam
I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy them, Bonni! I hope you’ll give them another tried with natural cocoa powder instead. Good luck! 🙂
Brittany
YUM. These were an easy bake, and tasted excellent!!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Brittany! 🙂
Amelia
Howdy! All I have is Guittard red Dutch process, cocoa powder, is that ok?
Sam
Hi Amelia! If that is all I had on hand, then I would use it, but I can’t say for sure how it would turn out.
Jennifer
This is such a fabulous recipe! I’ve made it as written of course, but today, I tried a variation. Instead of vanilla extract, I added 3/4 tsp of peppermint extract. I stirred in 1/2 cup of semi-sweet and 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips. Then, after baking, I pressed 3 mint M&M’s on top. They’re awesome! So, this recipe is very delicious as-is, but is also quite vercitile! Thanks, Sam, for all your fantastic recipes. I’m a faithful fan!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Jennifer! 🙂
Tracy
Easy to mix up and absolutely delicious! I’ll definitely make these again. Thank you for sharing!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Tracy! 🙂
Christine
Can I make these without chocolate chips if I run out of those?
Sam
Hi Christine! You can omit the chocolate chips if you’d like.
Rose
These were the absolute BEST chocolate cookies I’ve EVER made or TASTED !! Omg am I happy you shared this one … I didn’t add the coffee, and these were just amazing ! Chocolatie gooey yummy 😋👍. I will never lose this recipe…my family will shoot me if I do !!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you loved them so much! 🙂
Alyson
This cookie is a winner! Thanks, Sam!
Paige Larson
These turned out perfect and I have the pictures to prove it. My co-workers didn’t vibe with the salt sprinkled on top so next time I’ll only do that to half of the batch.
Carrie
Like brownies in a cookie. Another winner, Sam!!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Carrie! 🙂
Kacie
Hi Sam! Can I use peanut butter chips with this recipe? Instead of chocolate chip?
Sam
Sure thing! 🙂