When premium chocolate meets classic baking, magic happens. Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookie recipe transforms an everyday treat into a gourmet experience, elevating the humble chocolate chip cookie with rich, high-quality chocolate and professional baking techniques.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Premium Chocolate: Ghirardelli chocolate ensures rich, complex flavor
- Professional Technique: Precise mixing method creates perfect texture
- Versatile Recipe: Adaptable for different chocolate preferences
- Bakery-Quality Results: Restaurant-level cookies at home
Recipe Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Chill Time | Optional (30-60 minutes) |
| Cook Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings | 24 cookies |
| Skill Level | Intermediate |
Ingredients for Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookie
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2¼ cups (280g) | Spoon and level |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon | Fresh |
| Salt | ½ of teaspoon | Fine sea salt |
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup 230g | Room temperature |
| Granulated sugar | ¾ cup 150g | |
| Brown sugar | ¾ cup (165g) | Firmly packed |
| Large eggs | 2 | Room temperature |
| Vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons | High-quality pure vanilla |
| Ghirardelli chocolate chips | 2 cups (340g) | Mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate |
| Chopped nuts (optional) | 1 cup (120g) | Toasted walnuts |
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Ingredients
- Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before using.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt
- Set aside in medium bowl
- Ensures even leavening
3. Cream Butter and Sugars
- Beat butter until creamy
- Add sugars gradually
- Mix 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy
- Scrape bowl sides regularly
4. Add Wet Ingredients
- Add eggs one at a time
- Beat well after each addition
- Mix in vanilla extract
5. Combine Mixtures
- Gradually add dry ingredients
- Mix on low speed
- Stop when just combined
- Avoid overmixing
6. Add Chocolate
- Fold in Ghirardelli chocolate chips
- Add nuts if using
- Distribute evenly
7. Bake
- Use #40 cookie scoop
- Space 2 inches apart
- Bake 10-12 minutes
- Edges golden, centers soft
Expert Tips & Variations
Chocolate Selection
- Use mix of Ghirardelli semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips
- Try dark chocolate for intense flavor
- Chop bars for varied chocolate pieces
Texture Modifications
Chewy Cookies
- Replace ¼ cup granulated sugar with corn syrup
- Use melted butter
- Slightly underbake
Crispy Cookies
- Use all granulated sugar
- Flatten cookies before baking
- Bake 2 minutes longer
Troubleshooting Guide
Common Problems
Cookies Spread Too Much
- Butter too soft
- Warm kitchen
Solution: Chill dough 30 minutes
Cookies Too Hard
- Overbaked
- Too much flour
Solution: Remove from oven when edges golden
Uneven Baking
- Oven hot spots
- Inconsistent dough size
Solution: Rotate pan, use cookie scoop
Storage Tips
| Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| At Room Temp | Lasts up to 5 days | Stored in an airtight container |
| In the refrigerator | Keeps fresh for 2 weeks | When stored in a sealed container |
| Freezer (baked) | 3 months | Wrap individually |
| Freezer (dough) | 6 months | Pre-portion |
Key Baking Success Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients
- Don’t overmix
- Use high-quality chocolate
- Check oven temperature
- Let cookies rest on pan 5 minutes
Why Ghirardelli Makes a Difference
Ghirardelli’s chocolate chips aren’t just an ingredient – they’re the star. Made from premium cocoa beans with a rich, complex flavor profile, these chips transform an ordinary cookie into a gourmet experience. The higher cocoa butter content means more luxurious melting and deeper chocolate taste.
Resources:
- Taste of Home – A straightforward and reliable recipe, perfect for achieving that classic chewy center with crisp edges. Learn more hereTaste of Home.
- Cookies for Days – Offers a detailed breakdown of the dough-making process, including tips on achieving the ideal texture and spreading. Explore the full recipeCookies For Days.
- Love From The Oven – Focuses on the importance of chilling dough for thicker, chewier cookies, with an option to bake larger cookies. Find the recipe hereLove From The Oven.