Alton Brown Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is made with bread flour, unsalted butter, light brown sugar, semisweet chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and eggs. This recipe creates chewy, bakery-style chocolate chip cookies. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare and yields 2 dozen cookies.
Alton Brown Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe Ingredients
- 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 12 ounces bread flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 ounces granulated sugar
- 8 ounces light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
How To Make Alton Brown Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 375°F and arrange racks in the top and bottom thirds. Line 4 half-sheet pans with parchment paper.
- Melt the Butter: Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda onto a paper plate.
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer bowl, add the melted butter and both sugars. Beat on medium speed with the paddle attachment for 2 minutes.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Add Wet to Butter Mixture: Reduce mixer to stir speed and slowly add the egg mixture. Mix until well combined, about 30 seconds.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add flour mixture to the bowl, scraping down sides as needed. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Chill Dough: Cover and chill the dough for 1 hour.
- Portion Dough: Scoop into 1 1/2-ounce portions and place 6 cookies per sheet on prepared pans.
- Bake Cookies: Bake two sheets at a time for 15 minutes, rotating halfway through.
- Cool and Serve: Slide parchment with cookies onto a rack and cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips
- Use Bread Flour: It gives the cookies their signature chewy texture.
- Chill the Dough: This step helps control spreading and enhances flavor.
- Weigh the Dough: Portioning ensures even baking and consistent size.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies should be golden around the edges but soft in the middle.
- Rotate the Pans: Switching positions halfway through baking ensures even browning.
What To Serve With Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies go great with a glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also pair well with hot chocolate or almond milk.
How To Store Chocolate Chip Cookies
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake frozen dough straight from the freezer with a few extra minutes.
Chocolate Chip Cookies Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 220
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 120mg
FAQs
Why use bread flour instead of all-purpose?
Bread flour adds chewiness due to its higher protein content.
Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
What if I don’t have a stand mixer?
You can mix by hand or with a hand mixer, though it may take a bit longer.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Yes, chopped walnuts, pecans, or even toffee bits make great additions.
How do I know when they’re done?
The edges should be golden, and the centers just set—they’ll finish firming up as they cool.
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Alton Brown Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Description
A perfectly chewy chocolate chip cookie made with bread flour and a rich butter base.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F, place racks in top and bottom thirds, and line 4 sheet pans with parchment.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat and cool slightly.
- Sift flour, salt, and baking soda onto a paper plate.
- Beat butter and sugars in a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Whisk egg, yolk, milk, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
- Reduce mixer to stir and slowly add the egg mixture.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and stir in chocolate chips.
- Chill dough for 1 hour.
- Scoop into 1 1/2-ounce portions, 6 per pan.
- Bake 15 minutes, rotating halfway.
- Cool on parchment for 5 minutes before serving.
