Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sometimes, the best recipes are the simplest ones with a little twist. There’s something about the addition of walnuts that makes these cookies extra special—maybe it’s the way they add a little crunch to the gooey, chocolatey goodness.
These cookies strike the perfect balance between chewy and crispy. The butter and brown sugar create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center, while the edges bake up with just the right amount of golden crispness. The semi-sweet chocolate pairs beautifully with the earthy, nutty flavor of the walnuts, and the light sprinkle of sea salt on top ties it all together. They smell incredible as they bake, filling your kitchen with the warm, inviting scent of butter, sugar, and chocolate.
Making these cookies is straightforward and beginner-friendly, but there are a few tricks to ensure success. Cream the butter and sugar just until fluffy, and don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour—it keeps the texture perfect. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the warm cookies adds a touch of sophistication (or, let’s be honest, an excuse to eat more).
So, why not bake a batch? They’re quick, crowd-pleasing, and just the thing for a cookie craving. Give them a try, and don’t blame me if you end up making them on repeat.
With Love,
Your Baker, Hannah
Convinced it’s time for chocolate chip cookies? Here’s a grocery list of everything you’re gonna need!
Ingredients Needed to Bake Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Salted butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Large egg
Vanilla extract
Salt
Baking soda
All-purpose flour
Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
Chopped walnuts
Sea salt (optional, for garnish)
(To make it even easier, you can hit the “Get Ingredients” button inside the recipe, and these items will be added straight to your shopping cart at the grocery store of your choice.)
Ingredient Substitutions:
Butter: Swap salted butter for unsalted and add an extra pinch of salt to the dough.
Sugar: Use light or dark brown sugar depending on your flavor preference; dark brown adds more molasses notes.
Flour: All-purpose flour works best, but gluten-free flour blends can be used for a gluten-free option.
Chocolate Chips: Use milk, white, or dark chocolate chips, or even chopped chocolate bars for variety.
Walnuts: Substitute with pecans, almonds, or omit nuts altogether for a nut-free cookie.
What Tools Do You Need to Bake Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies?
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Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and preparing your baking sheets with parchment paper. Cream the butter and sugars in a large bowl until light and fluffy, ensuring no lumps remain. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing just until incorporated—overmixing can affect the texture of your cookies.
Next, mix in the salt and baking soda, followed by the flour. Stir by hand to avoid overworking the dough. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts, ensuring they're evenly distributed. Scoop the dough into 12 evenly-sized portions and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, but the centers remain soft. Sprinkle with sea salt immediately after baking if desired. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
How to Keep Your Chocolate Chip Cookies Gooey:
Use room-temperature ingredients for even mixing.
Slightly underbake the cookies, pulling them out of the oven when the centers are still soft.
Avoid overmixing the dough, which can result in a denser texture.
Other Inclusions You Can Add to Your Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds.
Add shredded coconut, toffee bits, or dried fruit like cranberries.
Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder into the dough for added depth.
How to Store Your Baked Cookies:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.
Recipe for Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Into a large mixing bowl, place your room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric hand mixer, mix on high until the butter and sugar and light and fluffy, with no lumps of butter left.
- Once mixed, add in your egg and vanilla extract, and mix on low speed until the egg is incorporated. (Do not over mix, as this will change the texture of the cookies by allowing to much air into the dough).
- Next, add in your baking soda and salt and mix to combine.
- Once all of the ingredients have been mixed, add in your flour and, using a wooden spoon, stir by hand until the flour has been mostly incorporated, but not entirely.
- Next, add in your chocolate chips and walnuts and finish stirring your dough until it has come together fully.
- Once your dough has been mixed, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and scoop 6 equally sized cookies onto each one (12 cookies altogether).
- Place your cookies into the oven, and bake them for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown and the centers are still soft and gooey.
- Once the cookies have baked, remove them from the oven, sprinkle them lightly with sea salt, and allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Serve and enjoy!