Outrageous chocolate cookies - these cookies are packed with chocolate and have amazing texture!
Called outrageous chocolate cookies, these cookies definitely deserve their name for being outrageously attractive. The pictures don't even do them justice: these cookies look really pretty in real life, like small pieces of cake covered in a very thin layer of chocolate. If you want an easy to make cookie that's all chocolate and yet looks attractive and tastes like a soft and chewy piece of a very good chocolate cake - try these, I beg you!
Even though these cookies are very easy to make, you're dealing with melting the chocolate here, and that could affect your success with these outrageous chocolate cookies. This cookie got multiple raving reviews on Martha Stewart site, but a lot of commentators had issues like having a cookie dough that's too thin, and, as a result, cookies spreading too flat during baking resulting in not so attractive look (while still tasting good).
The original recipe calls for semisweet chocolate chunks, but any type of chocolate chips, chunk, or morsels will work.
Common baking problems and how to avoid them
When making these chocolate outrageous cookies, the common problems and questions are:
How to avoid runny cookies?
How to make sure the cookies don't spread too much?
What makes cookies flat and how to avoid it?
To avoid all of the above, the important thing is not to over melt the chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate in microwave in 20 seconds increments to keep checking so that you melt it just enough to mix with other ingredients - don't let the chocolate get too runny. DO NOT OVER MELT THE CHOCOLATE.
- Melted chocolate should have the consistency of a thick frosting (not a liquid) before you add it to the flour mixture.
- If it's too runny, let it cool a little before adding it in.
- The cookie dough in the end should not be thin. If it is thin, let the cookie dough stand for a while to harden - by letting the melted chocolate harden in the cookie dough. The resulting cookie dough should look like a cookie dough (hardened) and not like a cake batter (runny).
Baking Tips
While these outrageous chocolate cookies are easy to make, here is what I learned from the process, and skipping any of those steps can result in outrageously flat cookies (though still tasty) or dry cookies. Remember, these are supposed to be soft and chewy, with only the top of the cookie that's crunchy. So to have the success with these cookies, make sure to:
- Melt the chocolate in step 1 just enough to mix - melted chocolate should not be runny. When you mix the melted chocolate in and the cookie dough seems runny due to hot chocolate, allow the cookie dough to cool down for some time to harden up. By allowing the cookie dough sit for a while, the hot melted chocolate will cool down and harden the cookie dough.
- Beat your eggs and sugar in step 3 really well, until light and fluffy - otherwise the dough will be too thin.
- Do not over bake the cookie. The cookie should not be dry, it should still be soft and brownie-like after 12-15 minutes of baking (no more, maybe less - depends on your oven).
- To avoid cookies spreading too thin during baking, make sure to follow all of the steps above, and also use cold baking sheets - not hot or warm baking sheets that have been sitting for an hour underneath your pre-heated oven.
Storage tip: These cookies keep well for a week in an air-tight container.
Outrageous chocolate cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate , chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter , unsalted
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate chunks , or equal amount of semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until almost melted. Make sure not to over melt the chocolate, melt it just enough to mix – as I emphasized above in the post.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed really well, until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate (remember, the melted chocolate should not be too runny).
- Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips). If your batter is too runny (due to over melting the chocolate in step 1), let the batter stand for some time to get hard.
- Spray baking sheets with cooking spray – it’s important: I found that these cookies really stick to the baking sheet if you skip this step.
- Drop tablespoons (or less) of dough onto cold baking sheets 2 inches apart. Let me emphasize – use cold baking sheets (not hot or warm baking sheets that have been sitting underneath your pre-heated oven).
- Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes. Do not over bake the cookies, the texture should still be soft, that of a brownie, when you take them out of the oven. If you over bake them, they will be too hard. Do not bake them to a crisp, they are supposed to be soft.
- Cool on baking sheets 10 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I’m not sure when I’m supposed to add the butter! I went back to try and find that to do it right but don’t see when that is supposed to be incorporated!
Melt the butter with the chocolate, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and has a consistency similar to chocolate ganache.
Julia, your chocolate cookies are amazing. My wife, who is not a chocolate fan, just had two and is looking for more. Thanks for the detailed instructions.
I just made these for my son in law who loves anything chocolate. They are crazy delicious. I followed your instructions so carefully in order to not have them spread like pancakes. It's good when such specific instructions are given. Thank you so much.
Lita, thank you for appreciating my detailed instructions! ❤️❤️ So glad these cookies turned out great! Wishing you a very Happy New Year! 🙂
These are delicious! Thanks, Julia!
Thank you, Sue, for your review! ❤️
Instead of cooking spray can these be cooked on parchament?
I used parchment and also sprayed the parchment. I think they turned out fine.
Sue, thank you for the tips!
Kris, yes, you can bake these on parchment paper and in that case, you don't need the cooking spray.
Do these freeze well?
I love chocolate! Can’t help myself. These are really good.
Just made these. So delicious. The trick we learned after the first batch was to put the cookie trays in the fridge to cool before baking. Also put the dough in the fridge for about 5 minutes.
Thanks!
How many minutes should you beat the eggs and sugar? What does light and fluffy look like? Mine is just with bubbles. Should it look like a meringue? Cookies came out too thin
I don't see butter mentioned in the directions at all. I'm assuming the butter listed in the ingredients is used in step 4?
Sorry, step 3. These cookies are turning out wonderfully, I have to keep the cooling rack out of my daughter's reach. She keeps stealing them.
butter is used in step2, melt in with chocolate.
Hi! I'm trying to print this recipe, because these look soooo delicious, but there's an ad right in the middle of the print "section" on the blog page, which is also showing up on the print screen. It's making it into a 2pg print, with just one or two steps on pg 2. I don't know if where the ad is on the blog is anything in your control or if it has to do with my browser. I've tried to change some settings in my browser, but it hasn't helped so far! Ugh. Anyway. I'm looking forward to trying this recipe!! Thanks!
Turned out great! My 16 month old nephew couldn't stop eating them. I added an ounce or so of white chocolate as well to the recipe, but other than that I didn't change a thing. Very easy and I will definitely make again.
Thank you for the recipe! I just tried a batch with these "pumpkin spice chips" at the end instead of regular. It's pretty good but the pumpkin spice overwhelms the cookie I think, original is definitely better!
Also I used parchment paper instead of spraying, just reporting back that that worked out great 🙂
I just made these and they are amazing!!!!
Just made these cookies they are delicious! I added some Reese's peanut butter chips to the chocolate chips. The girls at work are looking forward to trying them! I was drooling when I first saw this picture 🙂