Today I’m sharing a recipe for truly crispy chocolate chip cookies. Crunchy, snappy, and soo good, these are easy to make and use a surprising (but easy to find!) ingredient. No chilling needed, they can be ready in under 30 minutes! Recipe includes a how-to video!
The Real-Deal Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
This one is for you real crispy cookie lovers. I’m not messing around today, sharing some cookie with slightly crisped edges but disappointingly soft and chewy centers, oh no.
These are the real thing. I’m talking so crisp you can snap them clean in half, crunch all the way through, potato-chip-level-addictive, can’t-eat-just-one cookies.
If you’re looking for something soft and chewy, you’re in the wrong place for once (psst… soft & chewy fans please check out my worst chocolate chip cookies!). If you’ve enjoyed my lace cookies, my brownie brittle, or my crispy gingersnaps, you’re going to love what I’ve created for you today.
Weeks of careful testing and tweaking went into meticulously designing a dough that yielded a cookie with a crisp bite. It wasn’t easy (I have nearly two dozen versions that didn’t make the cut!) and I learned quickly that classic chocolate chip cookie ingredients just weren’t going to cut it.
We needed to bring in something special, something a little different. Which… is kind of my specialty, anyway, so I wasn’t afraid to break outside of the box.
Read on for the ingredients that come together to make these truly thin and crispy cookies.
What You Need to Make Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
The ingredients to make these cookies thin and crispy were carefully chosen and I don’t recommend making any substitutions. It took me many attempts to get the recipe just right, and any alterations may result in cookies that aren’t quite right.
- Butter. You’ll need one cup (this is two standard-sized sticks) of unsalted butter. It should be softened, but not so soft that the exterior is oily or greasy or the butter is beginning to melt on its own, or the cookies may spread too much in the oven. Cream this by itself first to ensure the butter is nice and smooth before adding any other ingredients, otherwise it may not mix smoothly with your condensed milk.
- Sugar. There is a high ratio of sugar in this recipe between the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and condensed milk. This is not by accident, it’s important in perfecting a cookie with an almost candy-like crunch to it, and therefore I do not recommend reducing the sugar.
- Sweetened condensed milk. My secret weapon! While it might seem like an odd ingredient to use, this one is perhaps most critical to making perfectly textured, truly crispy chocolate chip cookies (it’s also the key to making my perfectly smooth cookie dough frosting, different recipes, different uses!). It helps the cookies to spread so they’re thin, and it also helps to nearly crystalize the cookie dough as it bakes. It’s responsible for the snappy crispness of each cookie (along with the baking soda… more on that below). Make sure that you do not substitute any other kind of milk, especially not evaporated milk (which is often sold right beside it in a nearly identical can!).
- Baking soda. While the cookies will already be fairly thin without this ingredient, adding it helps to make the cookies more porous (and a bit more crackly on top, as a bonus). Baking soda makes them brittle and breakable which results in a crisp, crunchy texture (rather than obnoxiously stick-to-your-teeth, peanut brittle-esque one!).
- Flour. I only recommend using all-purpose (plain) flour. It’s absolutely critical that you measure this properly. For best results use a scale, but I talk a bit more about measuring flour below.
- Salt & vanilla add flavor.
- Chocolate chips. I like to use semisweet or dark chocolate chips, the very slight bitterness helps to counter the sweetness from the cookie. A blend of miniature and standard-sized chips is my preference, but feel free to use your favorite flavor and your favorite size.
Remember, this is just an overview of some of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common cause of this is accidentally over-measuring the flour (though if your baking soda is expired this could also be a contributing factor!).
Make sure you stir your flour, spoon it into your measuring cup, and then level it off if using a straight-edge (like the back of a knife). Better yet, use a scale!
First, check your ingredients! Most often, cookies that spread too much are caused by accidentally mis-measuring an ingredient or using the wrong ingredient.
Make sure you used sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk. Make sure your butter was not so soft that it was melty. Oh, and don’t ever place cookie dough on a baking sheet that’s still warm.
First, make sure they are cooled completely. These otherwise crispy chocolate chip cookies will still be a bit soft at their centers while they are warm.
However, if they’ve cooled completely and are still soft, it’s most likely that the cookies weren’t baked long enough. Cookies should be baked on the center rack of a 325F (165C) oven until golden brown all over.
Many ovens run hot or cold, so if you’re not certain your oven temperature is accurate you may need to bake the cookies a bit longer than indicated.
If you make your cookies too large they may also end up chewy in the centers.
To ensure even baking and crispness all the way through, it’s necessary to bake the cookies on a low temperature for a longer period of time. A little patience ensures that your cookie centers are just as crisp as your edges.
They’ll keep at room temperature for up to two weeks. I prefer to keep mine in an airtight container.
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Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Make sure to check out the how-to VIDEO in the recipe card!
Truly Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup (237 ml) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour¹
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- ⅔ cup (110 g) mini chocolate chips
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F (165C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl using an electric mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment) beat butter until creamy. Add condensed milk, sugars, and vanilla extract and beat well until creamy and well-combined (about 30-60 seconds on medium speed). Pause to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well-combined.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (237 ml) sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour¹, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture until completely combined (scrape sides and bottom of bowl with spatula as needed).
- Use a spatula to stir in chocolate chips.1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips, ⅔ cup (110 g) mini chocolate chips
- Scoop cookie dough by Tablespoon-sized scoop and drop onto prepared baking sheet (for more uniform, round cookies, you can roll cookies into balls between your palms before placing on baking sheet, this will be a bit messy as the dough is very soft), spacing cookies at least 2” apart.
- Transfer to 325F (165C) preheated oven and bake for 17-18 minutes or until cookies are golden brown all over (if your oven bakes unevenly, rotate baking sheet halfway through). Cookies will still be soft at their centers until they are cooled completely.
Notes
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.
Rayanne
I just made these!! They are so good! I love the texture of them. I usually make the worst chocolate chip cookie recipe, but I think I like these better! I have made quite a few of your recipes and they have all been delish!!
Sam
I’m so glad you have enjoyed them all so much, Rayanne! Sometimes it’s really hard for me to choose a favorite. 🙂
Summer
Hi Sam! I love your recipes! I recently tried this one (thin crispy choco chip cookies) and couldn’t eat less than 3 at a time! I tweaked a bit to use only 3/4c condensed milk and 1/2c less of brown and white sugars. Turned out really good. I wanted to ask in case I can’t get my hands on condensed milk (as when these cravings for choco chip cookies happen are really unpredictable), what can I use as a substitute?
Sam
Hi Summer! I’m so glad you enjoy the cookies so much! Unfortunately I don’t know of a good substitute for the condensed milk. 🙁
Nora
Hi there, thanks for such a great recipe! Can this dough be frozen for later?
Sam
I’m glad you enjoyed it! The dough can be frozen for use later. 🙂
Pauline Stevens
I am in the process of trying these crispy cookies, I would also like to try crispy ginger snaps. Do you have a recipe for them?
Thank you
Paula
Sam
Hi Paula! I do have a crispy gingersnap recipe. I hope you love all of the cookies! 🙂
Odele
Can you refrigerate this dough for use over time?
Sam
Hi Odele! I wouldn’t keep the dough in the refrigerator much longer than 5 days. 🙂
Renee Ackley
Hi Sam!
So thin and crispy chocolate chip cookies are my husband’s absolute favorite. The batter was so flavorful I could have eaten the entire bowl! However, when I baked them they came out a little poofy and carmalized & chewy on the bottom. For the next batch I am going to flatten them down with my hand before baking to see if this helps.
Thank you for sharing all of your recipes! I look forward to trying everything you make!
Sam
I am so glad you are enjoying the batter. If you find they are coming out poofy make sure you are measuring your flour correctly. Thanks for trying my recipe. 🙂
Liz
Just left a message on your Instagram post from this morning, but had to again tell you how much my husband loved these cookies. I have tried so many times to make him a crispy chocolate chip cookie and failed miserably, never thinking sweetened condensed milk would be the answer. As he was eating them with a glass of milk, he said there was probably a lot of sugar in them; he has no idea :). Thanks again!! I’ve tried so many of your recipes, you’re my “go to” when I need a recipe and I’m never disappointed.
Sam
Thank you so much, Liz! I’m so glad you enjoyed the cookies so much! I’m honored to be your go-to for recipes. 🙂
amy beckley
Hi Sam
Love your recipes. I’d like to make your crispy choc chip cookies but the 1 cup sweetened condensed milk is making me hesitate–especially since the white and brown sugar amounts seem to be pretty regular in proportion to the flour/fat ratio. These I’m sure are crispy–but are they too sweet? thanks for your honesty.
I long time follower
Sam
Hi Amy! They do have a good bit of sugar in them but I wouldn’t say they are overly sweet. Pretty much in line with my worst chocolate chip cookies. 🙂
Hana
I tried it it is so crispy I love it so much
Malak
I am waiting patiently for the french onion soup recipe it is so good
Yvonne
Hi Sam, thank you for amazing cookie recipes each time! One of my favourites is the Lace cookies.
I wanted to be sure that with the measurements of about 1TBSP scoop, I will get about 70 cookies.
Sam
Hi Yvnonne! Yes this will make 70 cookies. Lots of cookies to share. 🙂
Yvonne
Hi Sam. These were absolutely amazing! I just got them out od the oven and its a whole chocolatey goodness with some toffee like flavour to it.
I must confess I was a bit worried about the sugar quantities and condensed milk but its just perfect…I dare say so as someone who avoids sugars normally.
I however got 40 cookies from this recipe using a tablespoon scoop. In all, this is my favourite chocolate chip cookie henceforth.
Thanks a mil
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much! 🙂
hynes jim
Big fan. Can’t wait to try these. Since I am retired, when the Covid hit, looking for something to do, I was looking for a thin crisp recipe and stumbled onto your “Worst Chocolate chip cookie”. Decided to try and bake them, total newbie. Followed directions and voila! Great success. Gave them to the neighbors and my wife’s PT folks. Made a dozen or more of your cookie recipes and I am the talk of the town, such as it is here in central Texas.
Wanted you to know what joy you have brought, although we all need new jeans.
Sam
That is so awesome! I’m so glad everyone has enjoyed them so much. 🙂
Louisa Wihongi
Can I refrigerate the dough? Or should I bake them all the day the dough was made?
Sam
Hi Louisa! This dough should be fine to refrigerate. Just make sure it’s covered tightly. 🙂
pat watson
I prefer crispy choco chips cookies, but all this extra sweetness maybe not. Butter flavor crisco will
make the cookies crispy and taste good, although I know veg shortening is not good for us, neither is sugar.
Kim Collins
Sorry, I see it now.
Kim Collins
Does a prepared pan mean greased, lined with parchment or silpat?
Annabel
I have to say I am more of a crispy cookies person myself! Going to make these- I liked the addition/flavor of the maple syrup/honey in your worst (best) chocolate chip cookies, could I add about a few tablespoons to these? Thanks!
Sam
Unfortunately I think it would change the texture of the cookies too much and make them spread 🙁