Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Let’s not normalize buying $4 cookie you’ll finish in 5 seconds (I’m looking at you Starbucks)

These chewy chocolate chunk cookies are exactly what you crave when you want something rich, chewy and comforting. Every bite is chewy, packed with pockets of melty dark chocolate. They taste like the best bakery-style cookie you’ve ever had, but made right in your own kitchen.

What makes these cookies stand out is the combination of brown sugar for that deep, caramel-like chew and the hand-chopped chocolate bars. Using chopped chocolate means you get all those amazing shards and varying sizes of chocolate throughout the dough. And a little secret ingredient, lukewarm water, helps create that perfect soft and chewy texture.

this recipe

I made a batch of these for a weekend, and honestly, they disappeared so fast (yes, really). You’ll want to make these thick chocolate chunk cookies again and again.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Perfectly chewy! – These cookies have that perfect soft, bendy texture with slightly crisp edges, just like your favourite local bakery.

Big chocolate chunks – Chopping your own dark chocolate bars gives you incredible puddles of melted chocolate in every single bite.

Rich brown sugar flavour – The high ratio of brown sugar creates a deep, caramelized sweetness that makes these thick chocolate chunk cookies so perfect.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Light brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Large eggs
• Lukewarm water
• Vanilla extract
• Dark chocolate bars

Equipment

• Electric stand mixer with paddle attachment, or a hand mixer
• Sharp knife and cutting board (for chocolate bars)
• Cookie scoop (approx. 3 tablespoons or 50-gram capacity)

Tips for making Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Chop your own chocolate – Using dark chocolate bars and roughly chopping them into ½-inch pieces gives you those amazing, varying chunks that make these homemade chocolate chunk cookies so special. It’s a small effort that makes a huge difference in texture and flavour.
• Don’t overmix the dough – Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, which can lead to tough cookies instead of soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies.
• Use softened butter – Make sure your butter is truly softened, but not melted. It should give slightly when you press it. This helps it cream properly with the sugars, creating air pockets for a light and fluffy base.
• Don’t skip the water – The lukewarm water in this recipe might seem a little unusual, but it helps create that signature chewy texture. It adds a bit of moisture without making the dough too wet, contributing to a truly soft and chewy chocolate chunk cookie.
• Scoop large cookies – Using a 3-tablespoon or 50-gram cookie scoop helps you get those big, bakery-style cookies. Larger cookies tend to stay softer and chewier in the centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chocolate chips instead of chopped chocolate bars? You can! Chips hold their shape more. If you do use them, stick with a good quality dark chocolate chip.

Why are my thick chocolate chunk cookies flat? There are a few reasons this might happen. Your butter might have been too warm or melted, or your baking soda could be old. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate. Sometimes a slightly cooler oven can cause them to spread too much before setting.

How do I store these chewy chocolate chunk cookies? Once completely cooled, store your homemade chocolate chunk cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them.

Can I freeze the dough for later? Absolutely! Scoop the cookie dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them from frozen, just add a minute or two to the bake time.

Make sure to tag me @theflournook on social media and leave a review below if you make these chewy chocolate chunk cookies. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card, the buttons above or below this post, or on any of the photos above.

Happy baking!

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