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.
Lisa Bettany
Just a simple thank you for posting these wonderful recipes. I’m making these today with my two-year old who describes herself as a “cookie monster”. I used your chocolate cake recipe for her second birthday and it was by far her favourite meal. Hugs!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Lisa! I hope that you and your daughter have a blast making them together! ๐
Romana
Absolutely lovely cookies. Just made them now and they are delicious.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Romana! I am so glad that you enjoyed the cookies. Thanks for commenting. ๐
Julia Michaels
My family loves these cookies!
Very different from other recipes adding the maple syrup and cornstarch. Had to try this and so glad I did!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Julia! I am so glad that your family enjoyed the cookies. Thanks for trying my recipe. ๐
Caitlyn
Can I cut down on the butter and the sugar without ruining the recipe? Or can I use applesauce or yogurt as half the butterโs substitute?
Sugar Spun Run
You are welcome to try it, Caitlyn. I have not tried it myself so I am not certain how it will do.
Cara B. Guggino
I made these with my two teens and you were right – we ALL agreed they are AMAZING and we could not stop eating them!!!
You were not kidding!
We will always make these cookies when we want chocolates chip cookies now!
Thank you!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you could agree that these cookies are the WORST (aka. best), Cara. I am so glad that you all enjoyed them and I hope that you had fun making them together as well. Thanks for trying my recipe. ๐
Patricia
I have made two batches of these cookies. I have given some away but my husband cannot stay out of them. They are excellent. Yes, the worst . ๐
.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you both have enjoyed them, Patricia. Next time, you may need to hide a batch from him. Trust me, I have done it! lol ๐
Cassidy
Is there anything I can use as a substitute to cornstarch?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Cassidy! Unfortunately, there is not a good substitute. Cornstarch is used to “soften” the harsh proteins of the flour, making a more tender baked good. You can omit it, however, they won’t be as soft. No worries, they will still taste delicious. ๐
Angela L.
These cookies are so good, they’re dangerous! These cookies should come with a warning. Great recipe! My cookies turned out tasting so delicious! This will be my new go to recipe for cookies!!!!
Sugar Spun Run
These cookies do come with a warning as they are that addictive! I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Angela! Thank you for trying my recipe. I am happy that you found a new go-to cookie recipe. Thanks for commenting. ๐
Amelia K
My favorite cookie recipe of all time. They taste so good and I like them even better with molasses subbed in for the maple syrup! The recipe isnโt fussy at all, and the dough is honestly yummy on its own.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the cookies, Amelia! Thank you so much for the 5-star review and for trying my recipe! ๐
Trisha
Hi Sam!
Do you sift your flour first before measuring?
These cookies look amazing, canโt wait to make them!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Trisha! I can’t wait for you to try them. I do not sift my flour, but you do want to be sure to measure it properly. I have created a guide on how to measure flour that can be used as a reference. I hope that you enjoy the cookies. ๐
Cheryl
Just came across this recipe and very anxious to try. Just one question though….is the 1 cup of butter measured before or after melting? In other words, is it one cup of solid butter or one cup of melted butter?
Thanks!
Sugar Spun Run
I am excited for you to try this recipe as well, Cheryl! You want to measure one cup of butter before melting. You will need 2 sticks (1 cup). ๐
Jane Villenueva
Is it crucial to freeze the dough before baking?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Jane! Chilling cookie dough before baking solidifies the fat in the cookies. As the cookies bake, the fat in the chilled cookie dough takes longer to melt than room-temperature fat resulting in them spreading less.
Angela
The most amazing โworstโ cookies ever!! My family was eating them before they were even cooked.
I have celiac disease so I swapped out regular flour for gluten free flour and they were still perfect! Thank you for sharing!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your family enjoyed the cookies, Angela. I am also happy to hear that the gluten-free flour worked so well with this recipe. Enjoy! Thanks for commenting. ๐
Cathy Cupcake
Just got done baking the worst chocolate chip cookies. Soooooo good ๐
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Cathy! Thanks for trying my recipe. ๐
Sarah C
Amazing! Cooked for 13mins and were perfect, with three people eating them they were gone in 2 days!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your family enjoyed the cookies, Sarah! Seeing how they didn’t last long, I wonder will they will ask for another batch? lol. Thanks so much for trying my recipe. ๐