Go no further! This chocolate chip cookie recipe will ruin your life.
Consider yourself warned.
I can only assume that something must have gone horribly wrong to bring you here today.
Amidst a cherry-picked Pinterest Sea of “perfect chocolate chip cookies”, a Google Forest of the “best chocolate chip cookie recipe”, and dog-eared cookbooks of “award winning” and family favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes, you have somehow found yourself here, face-to-cookie with the actual worst chocolate chip cookie.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking: It’s just a cookie, right?
I mean, sure, they look innocent enough. Golden with melty chocolate chips, crinkled edges and melt-in-your-mouth interiors… but one bite and you’re positively ruined for life.
These cookies will consume your life, shrink your jeans, and steal your boyfriend (I wouldn’t put it past them, anyway).
They even contain a secret ingredient.
A Secret Ingredient You’ll Wish You Never Discovered
How obnoxiously cliche, and, even more obnoxiously, intriguing.
I won’t drag it out. The secret ingredient is maple syrup. And sure, pure maple syrup (priced per ounce nearly the same as gold) would work just wonderfully here. But, if you have a sticky bottle of Aunt Jemima in your cabinet (as I happened to when I set out on the unholy quest for a secret ingredient for the best-turned-worst chocolate chip cookie recipe), that will work just fine, too.
What kind of self-respecting cookie doesn’t demand purity and quality?
Only the worst kind.
I credit (or, rather, blame) this “secret ingredient” for being the greatest offender in this positively worst chocolate chip cookie recipe. It gives the cookies a subtle, caramelized flavor as well as long-lasting chewiness and softness (these cookies stay soft for days, and the cornstarch helps with that as well), and the flavor is to die for.
And, while anyone who takes a bite will be able to detect the extra richness of flavor, not a single taste-tester was able to identify exactly what the secret ingredient was. Just that they were enjoying “really, really good cookies”.
OK, so what’s so bad about really good chocolate chip cookies?
How about the fact that they will consume you as you consume them? I’m not kidding about them wrecking your relationships.
Mom’s favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe? Ditch it. You will snub your nose at every “favorite” cookie (chocolate chip or not) of the past and struggle to hold back scornful laughs at anyone who comments on any other “delicious” cookie. Nobody likes a cookie snob, and yet here you are.
Here comes that girl again, the one who’s too good for Chips Ahoy.
A Cookie Recipe for Ruining Your Life
Be prepared for weight gain. It creeps up slowly, the cookies gently embracing you at first, then clinging to your thighs, your stomach, tighter and tighter until yoga pants are your only way out of the house. If you’re worried about your significant other noticing, don’t bother. They don’t notice anything anymore, only whether or not there are more chocolate chip cookies readily available for consumption.
Perhaps worst of all is that this chocolate chip cookie recipe can be made so easily. There’s no stand mixer or even an electric hand-held one required. They can be stirred by hand, dirtying only two bowls.
They do need to chill for 30 minutes, which would only serve as a deterrent if 25 of those minutes weren’t spent sneaking copious chunks of cookie dough from the refrigerator.
If you’ve made it this far, I fear it may already be too late for you.
It’s too late for me, sadly, and I’ve made these cookies nearly a dozen times in the past two weeks. I’m swapping gym time for cookie time to keep my refrigerator well-stocked with dough, and the photo shoot for this post took three times as long as it should have because I kept eating the subjects.
If you can, stick to the “best ever” cookies. Stick to Grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe and the old family favorites. Those cookies are safe, your friends, made to be consumed by you.
These cookies will consume you, instead.
Good luck out there. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did you run into cookies that spread all over the baking sheet in the oven? Here are your most likely culprits:
The butter was too hot when you added your sugar, causing the sugar to melt and creating a greasy cookie dough that never stood a chance.
You didn’t add enough flour. If the flour was under-measured, your cookies could spread when baking.
Your baking powder/baking soda was bad. These need to be stored properly and often will expire after 6 months, if yours is old, that could be the problem.
The dough didn’t chill long enough. If your dough is still very sticky after 30ย minutes, let it chill longer.
You put your cookie dough on a hot cookie sheet. It actually starts to melt before it can even begin baking.
It could be that your flour was over-measured. Never scoop your flour directly into your measuring cup, it packs the flour into the cup and you end up with way more than the recipe actually calls for. Instead, use a scale (this is the scale that I use) or use a spoon to pour the flour into your measuring cup and then level off the top with a straightedge (like the back of a knife).
Honey or light or dark corn syrup would work instead of the syrup, just note that the flavor will be slightly different.
Letโs bake together!ย Iโll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe andย videoย below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me onย Instagram, and you can also find me onย YouTubeย andย Facebook
The WORST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter melted and then cooled until no longer warm to the touch (see note)
- 1 ยฝ cups (300 g) light brown sugar firmly packed
- ยฝ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยผ cup (60 ml) maple syrupยฒ
- 3 ยผ cups (415 g) all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips I used half regular semisweet chips and half mini semisweet chips
Recommended Equipment
- 1 ยฝ Tablespoon cookie scoop
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together melted butter and sugars.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, 1 ยฝ cups (300 g) light brown sugar, ยฝ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- Add eggs, one at a time, stirring until combined.2 large eggs
- Stir in vanilla extract and maple syrup.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ยผ cup (60 ml) maple syrupยฒ
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.3 ยผ cups (415 g) all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, stirring until completely combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips
- Cover bowl with clear wrap and allow to chill for at least 30 minutes (chilling!? I told you, this recipe is the worst.)
- While the dough is chilling, preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare cookie sheets by lining with parchment paper (if you don’t have parchment paper, you can bake directly on an ungreased cookie sheet).
- Scoop about 2 Tablespoons of cookie dough and roll into balls, making them slightly taller than they are wide. Place them at least 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake about 13 minutes (cookies will appear to be a bit underdone, but edges should be just beginning to turn golden brown).
- Allow cookies to cool completely on cookie sheet. If desired, gently press a few chocolate chips on top of the warm cookies.
- Keep unbaked cookie dough in fridge while waiting to put the next batch in the oven, and do not place cookie dough on a hot cookie sheet.
Notes
ยนButter
You do not want your butter to be too hot or it may melt the sugar and you’ll have a very runny dough. Best practice would be to cut the butter into about Tablespoon-sized pieces, microwave in 10-second increments (stirring after each) until it is just completely melted, and then allow it to sit for 5 minutes. If your butter is too hot it could make your cookie dough or resulting cookies greasy.ยฒMaple Syrup
I don’t recommend leaving out the maple syrup, it is critical to the flavor and is what makes these truly the “worst” chocolate chip cookies. In a pinch, honey or even corn syrup or golden syrup will work as a substitute to give you the same texture, but the flavor will not be the same. Pure maple syrup and imitation “pancake syrup” both work just fine here, the former lends itself to slightly flatter cookies and the latter to slightly thicker ones.Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Cookie dough may be chilled, scooped, individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 months.Gluten Free
A number of readers have commented that this recipe works well when substituting the flour 1:1 with Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour, but I have not tested this myself.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 Cookie Recipes That are Also Pretty Terrible But Not As Bad:
I originally published the worst chocolate chip cookie recipe on 3/21/16. I have since updated it to include new photos and a video, but the recipe has remained unchanged.
Jessi
Can you make these without the cornstarch?
Sam
While you could, the cookies won’t be as soft or chewy and will probably spread more.
Kristin Witherup
This will be the only chocolate chip cookie recipe that I ever use!!! I will pass this recipe down to my kids. Beyond amazing, the worst!!
Thank you so much for this recipe!!! Wow!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoy them, Kristin! ๐
Francine
OMG!!!Made this tonight!!!Beyond Delicious!!!!My forever recipe!!Totally the Worst for me a chocolate chip cookie fiend!!! .lolol..I guess I’ll share..one..๐๐คฃ
Tyree Mack
These are the best cookies Iโve ever had. These have changed the game. But we didnโt have syrup so I substituted it with honey. But the kids loved them
Lindsey
I pulled my cookies out at 10 min because I noticed they were browning and the bottoms were burnt. I didnโt have parchment paper.. could this be why?
Sam
Hi Lindsey! Hmm, no the lack of parchment paper shouldn’t be burning the bottoms, I’m actually wondering if it’s possible that your oven is running much higher than it’s telling you? I keep an inexpensive oven thermometer (2, actually) in my oven because I’ve found that many oven temps are actually incorrect and they run hotter or cooler than they say. Maybe turning down the oven temp 25 degrees or so will prevent this.
Michelle Taylor
THIS IS THE BEST RECIPE BLOG POST EVER!!! Usually I get impatient with the backstory, scrolling quickly past to get to the ingredients and directions. NOT TODAY! I have read this out loud to my family, shared it with my BFF who is the champion baker of our group and giggled maniacally at your cleverness.
THANK YOU!!! We cannot wait to be consumed by these horrible cookies!!!
Sam
Thank you so much, Michelle! I hope you love them! ๐
Michelle Taylor
Update. My life is ruined. I am shacking up with these cookies and Hallmark Christmas movies. I’d say send help, but I don’t want to be rescued. Also I planned on adding these to my neighborhood cookie exchange-Nope not sharing.
Sam
๐๐คฃ So happy (or sorry!?) to hear they were such a hit!! Thanks for letting me know how they turned out, Michelle! Merry Christmas!
Shannon Alexander
OMG Iโm screaming!!!! This recipe is EVERYTHING. Iโm such a โfood snobโ but let me tell you…trash all of grandmas recipes and convert to this one. Thank you for my new found love.
Sam
๐ I am so glad you enjoyed them, Shannon. ๐
whitney casey
WORST COOKIES EVER! ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Because I want to eat them all the time!
These are the best chocolate chip cookies we have ever eaten. Thank you!
Can i keep some of the dough over night in the fridge??
Sam
Thank you so much, Whitney! Yes you can keep the dough in the fridge overnight, just make sure to cover it. ๐
tripletfeb
Hi! I want to try these cookies but never have luck with choco chip. My question is, does it matter what kind of cookie sheet you use? Airbake pan or regular cookie sheet? I heard the airbake can mess up the dough, thoughts?
Sam
I’ve only ever made them on a regular cookie sheet, so I would recommend using that. enjoy! ๐
Melanee
I use a silicone cookie liner on a metal cookie sheet.
No matter what my cookies, one and all come out “the best cookies in the land’.
Mine is from france.
Google that and good luck
tripletfeb
Hi. I ended up using parchment paper on a regular cookie sheet. These cookies still spread a little for me but, man oh man, are they tasty! Thanks for the recipe and Merry Christmas!
Muneera
Oh. My. God. These cookies are aptly titled. How could chocolate chip cookies taste like little drops of heaven!! The maple syrup elevated these to divine level! You canโt go wrong with these!! Thank you for sharing this yummy goodness. This will be the recipe I will pass on to my kids…this will be my family legacy ๐
Sam
Yay, so happy to hear you enjoyed!! Thanks for commenting, Muneera! ๐
kim
I never rate recipes but these were amazing.
Sam
So glad to hear you enjoyed them, Kim! I appreciate you commenting ๐
Susan Rue
I LOVE this recipe! It’s my #1 go to Everytime. I get compliments all the time and people always asking for me to bake these. They turn out Everytime. I also bake these for my Autistic 5yr. old with Gluten free flour and non-dairy chocolate chips.
She bakes with me and they are amazing both ways. We love them! Thank You so much for sharing your recipe with all of us. In fact I’m making these tonight. Lol!
Thank You!
Sam
I’m so happy to hear they are such a hit with your family! Thank you so much for commenting, Susan!! ๐
Leonardo Perez
Worst recipe ever. The cookies came out like blobs and were so dry. They needed oil. When the title is โWorst cookies Everโ they actually are.
Sam
Well I warned you!
In all seriousness, though, I think something went wrong during the development of the dough and I’m happy to help you troubleshoot. Was the dough dry? It’s actually a softer dough and the cookies are more prone to spreading than to not spreading, which makes me wonder about what might have gone wrong that you ended up with a dry cookie. Did you weigh or measure your flour? You said they came out like blobs, so did they not spread? Or did they spread too much? Would like to help you get the right results!
Bonnie Finn
Just followed your recipe exactly. They came out flat as a pancake. Why?
Sam
Hi Bonnie, I have a few notes below the recipe about why your cookies might have come out too flat (why they spread too much) if you want to check those out, they might be helpful.
Melissa
My favorite type of cookie has always been chocolate chip. Over the years I’ve tried many recipes but your recipe put all those other recipes to shame. The maple syrup gave these cookies a great taste! My search for the perfect chocolate chip cookie is now over thanks to your recipe. Thank you bunches!
Sam
Thank you so much, Melissa! I am so glad you enjoyed them. ๐