The Story & Intro
When I was a child growing up in Crete, I didn’t just learn to make Greek dishes from my grandmother—I also fell in love with baking. I remember sneaking little bites of cookie dough when she wasn’t looking, just waiting for the warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies to come out of the oven. Even now, at 38, I still get that same excitement whenever I bake them.
There’s something magical about biting into a cookie with a gooey center, soft edges, and melty chocolate chips. It’s comfort, nostalgia, and joy wrapped in every bite. These Gooey Center Chocolate Chip Cookies are the kind of recipe that brings people together, whether you’re sharing them with kids after school or baking a batch for friends.
This recipe is simple, fun, and absolutely irresistible. You don’t need fancy ingredients—just a few pantry staples and the right method to achieve that gooey, bakery-style texture. If you’re looking for the ultimate chocolate chip cookies with a soft, melty center, this recipe will quickly become your go-to.
Ingredients for Gooey Center Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chunks for extra gooeyness)
- Optional: A pinch of flaky sea salt for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for that chewy texture.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for that warm, rich flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix!
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Using a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips (or chunks). Make sure every scoop of dough has plenty of chocolate.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
For the ultimate gooey center, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps control the spread and creates that perfect texture.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are golden but the centers look slightly underbaked.
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Serving Suggestions
These cookies taste best fresh out of the oven when the chocolate is still melted. Pair them with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat. You can also store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days, but let’s be honest—they probably won’t last that long!
Print
Gooey Center Chocolate Chip Cookies – Irresistibly Soft and Chewy
Soft, chewy, and loaded with melty chocolate, these Gooey Center Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate comfort treat. Easy to make and impossible to resist!
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chunks)
Optional: Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
Cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Chill dough for 30 minutes for best texture.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough onto a lined baking sheet.
Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden but centers look soft.
Sprinkle with sea salt (optional) and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
For an extra gooey center, slightly underbake.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze cookie dough balls for quick baking later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes + 30 minutes chilling
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Conclusion
These Gooey Center Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re a memory in the making. Every bite is soft, chewy, and full of melty chocolate goodness. Whether you’re baking with family, surprising a friend, or just treating yourself, this recipe will always bring comfort and joy.
So, grab your mixing bowl and let’s bake together. I promise—this recipe will become your new favorite for cookies that taste like pure happiness.
Short 100-Word Version with Story
Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete, and baking has always been close to my heart. These Gooey Center Chocolate Chip Cookies remind me of childhood moments sneaking bites of cookie dough with my grandmother. Soft, chewy, and filled with melty chocolate, they’re the kind of cookies that make everyone smile. To make them, cream butter and sugars, add eggs and vanilla, mix in dry ingredients, fold in chocolate chips, and chill the dough. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until golden on the edges but gooey in the center. Perfect with milk or ice cream, these cookies are pure joy!