Chef Marcus Brown - Pastry Specialist
👨‍🍳 Cookie Expert

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 16+ Years Experience 🍽️ Chocolate Specialist

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This recipe is my tribute to Jacques Torres' legendary chocolate chip cookies. After countless attempts to recreate that perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy center in one giant cookie, I finally cracked the code to bakery-quality results at home."

Marcus has spent years perfecting cookie recipes and studying the techniques of master bakers like Jacques Torres. His expertise in chocolate selection and dough composition creates consistently exceptional results.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
One massive golden-brown chocolate chip cookie with visible chocolate chunks and crispy edges, topped with flaky sea salt on parchment paper

The Secret to Bakery-Style Texture

The key to achieving Jacques Torres-style texture lies in the balance of sugars and the mixing technique. Brown sugar provides moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar contributes to crispy edges and structure. The ratio creates the perfect contrast between textures.

Using high-quality dark chocolate chunks rather than chips makes a significant difference in both flavor and appearance. The irregular chunks create pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookie, mimicking the premium quality found in the best bakeries.

💡 Professional Tip

Don't overbake - the center should still look slightly underdone when you remove it from the oven. The residual heat will finish cooking the cookie while maintaining that perfect chewy center.

Frequently Asked Questions

A giant cookie creates the perfect ratio of crispy edges to chewy center. Plus, it's fun to share and makes an impressive presentation for special occasions.

High-quality dark chocolate (60-70% cacao) chopped into irregular chunks works best. Avoid chocolate chips as they don't melt and distribute as beautifully.

Yes, divide the dough into 6-8 portions and bake for 10-12 minutes. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

The edges should be golden brown and set, while the center still looks slightly soft and underbaked. It will continue cooking as it cools.

Absolutely! Try chopped nuts, dried fruit, or different types of chocolate. Keep total mix-ins to about 1 cup to maintain proper texture.

The salt enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a sophisticated finish that balances the sweetness, just like in high-end bakeries.

Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best texture, warm slightly in the oven before serving after the first day.

Yes, wrap the formed dough ball tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Cookie Spreads Too Much

Problem: Cookie spreads excessively and becomes too thin

Solution: Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking, ensure butter isn't too warm, and check that baking soda is fresh.

✅

Center Too Gooey

Problem: Center remains too underbaked even after cooling

Solution: Bake 2-3 minutes longer, ensure oven temperature is accurate, or flatten dough slightly more before baking.

✅

Edges Burn

Problem: Edges get too dark before center is done

Prevention: Lower oven temperature to 325°F and bake longer, or use a lighter-colored baking sheet to prevent over-browning.

✅

Cookie Too Crispy

Problem: Entire cookie turns out crispy instead of chewy

Recovery: Don't overbake, increase brown sugar ratio slightly, and ensure you're not overmixing the dough.

✅

Uneven Thickness

Problem: Cookie bakes unevenly with thick and thin spots

Prevention: Shape dough more evenly before baking, gently press to uniform thickness, and rotate pan halfway through baking.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add an extra pinch of salt or use darker chocolate

Too Salty: Reduce salt slightly or add extra vanilla extract

Bland: Increase vanilla, use higher quality chocolate, or add a pinch of espresso powder

Premium baking ingredients including dark chocolate chunks, brown sugar, flour, and butter arranged on a marble surface

Selecting Premium Ingredients

The quality of ingredients makes a dramatic difference in the final cookie. Choose European-style butter for its higher fat content and richer flavor, which contributes to both taste and texture. Room temperature butter should be soft but not melted for proper creaming.

Invest in high-quality dark chocolate and chop it yourself rather than using pre-made chips. The irregular chunks create beautiful pockets of melted chocolate and the superior flavor is immediately noticeable in the finished cookie.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Chocolate Selection: Use chocolate with 60-70% cacao content for the best balance of sweetness and chocolate flavor. Chop into irregular 1/2-inch pieces.
  • Sugar Quality: Use fresh brown sugar that's still moist and packs well. Old, dried brown sugar will affect both texture and flavor.
  • Flour Measurement: Measure flour by spooning into cup and leveling off, or weigh for best accuracy. Too much flour creates a tough cookie.
Large chocolate chip cookie dough ball on parchment paper before baking, showing chocolate chunks distributed throughout

Mastering the Baking Technique

The baking technique is crucial for achieving the signature Jacques Torres texture. The initial high temperature creates the crispy edges, while the relatively short baking time ensures the center remains perfectly chewy.

Proper cooling is just as important as proper baking. Allowing the cookie to cool on the baking sheet for the first 10 minutes lets the residual heat finish the cooking process while the structure sets, preventing the cookie from falling apart when moved.

The Perfect Bake

Watch for golden brown edges while the center still appears slightly underbaked. This ensures the perfect texture contrast that makes these cookies legendary.

One Large Jacques Torres Cookie

Prep 15 min
Cook 18 min
Serves 1 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 85g unsalted butter, softened
    European-style preferred for richness
  • 75g brown sugar, packed
    Creates chewy texture
  • 50g granulated sugar
    Provides crispy edges
  • 1 large egg
    Binds ingredients together
  • 170g dark chocolate, chopped
    High-quality 60-70% cacao
  • 60g walnuts, chopped (optional)
    Adds crunch and richness
  • Flaky sea salt
    For finishing and flavor enhancement

Wet Ingredients & Mix-ins

  • 120g all-purpose flour
    Foundation for cookie structure
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
    Creates slight lift and spread
  • 1/2 tsp salt
    Enhances all flavors
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    Pure vanilla for best flavor

Instructions

  1. Prepare for Baking

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Ensure you have plenty of space as this cookie will spread significantly.

  2. Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

  3. Cream Butter and Sugars

    In a large bowl, cream softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.

  4. Add Wet Ingredients

    Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined and mixture is smooth.

  5. Combine and Add Mix-ins

    Gradually mix in flour mixture until just combined. Fold in chocolate chunks and walnuts (if using), distributing evenly throughout the dough.

  6. Shape and Bake

    Form dough into one large ball and place in center of prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten to about 1-inch thickness. Bake for 16-18 minutes until edges are golden brown but center still looks slightly underbaked.

  7. Finish and Cool

    Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack or serving warm.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best texture, warm in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes before serving after the first day.

Sharing Tips

This giant cookie is perfect for sharing! Cut into wedges like a pizza, or break off pieces to enjoy. Serve with cold milk or ice cream for the ultimate experience.

Customization

Feel free to customize with your favorite mix-ins: try white chocolate and macadamia nuts, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon for warmth. Keep total additions to about 1 cup.