If you have a soft spot for cookies that strike the perfect balance between rich, buttery, and chock-full of melty chocolate chips, then the Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. This recipe yields irresistibly tender cookies with a crisp edge and a gooey center that simply melt in your mouth. Packed with classic flavors and a few secret touches, these cookies aren’t just desserts — they’re little bites of happiness that bring out the childlike joy in everyone lucky enough to try them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how straightforward yet thoughtfully chosen the ingredients are. Each one plays a crucial role in building that classic cookie texture and deep, comforting flavor that makes these cookies so memorable.
- Cold butter (1 lb or 4 sticks): Chilled butter helps achieve a tender crumb and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin.
- Light brown sugar (3 cups): Offers moisture and a hint of caramel sweetness that elevates the cookie’s flavor.
- Salt (1 tsp): Balances the sweetness and highlights the chocolate’s richness.
- Eggs (3): Provide structure and bind the dough together for that perfect chewiness.
- Chocolate chips (3¼ cups): The star ingredient that delivers luscious bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): The sturdy base that gives these cookies their tender yet structured texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Adds warmth and depth that rounds out all the sweet elements wonderfully.
- Baking powder (1½ tsp): A little lift that keeps the cookies light and soft without being cakey.
How to Make Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. This temperature is just right for baking the cookies evenly with a golden outside and soft middle.
Step 2: Cream the Butter
Using an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cold butter until it softens, which takes about 2 minutes. This step is essential to incorporate air into the butter, making for a lighter dough.
Step 3: Add Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla
Next, mix in the light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. At this stage, the dough starts to develop its rich flavor and cohesive texture.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Now, add the flour, salt, and baking powder to your wet ingredients, mixing well to combine everything evenly. Then fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them throughout the dough for those coveted chocolatey surprises.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the cookie dough into 36 balls and refrigerate them for at least one hour. Chilling the dough is a key step to intensify flavors and control spreading during baking, resulting in perfectly shaped cookies.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
Place the chilled cookie dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, giving them enough space to expand but keeping them close enough for that cozy batch feel.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes until they have a beautiful golden edge and a soft center. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set and makes them even more addictive.
How to Serve Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
You can sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on the warm cookies just out of the oven to heighten the chocolate flavor and add a delightful contrast. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle melted dark chocolate or caramel over the cookies before serving.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, but for a grown-up twist, try serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cup of rich coffee or espresso. The combination is utterly comforting and indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies to create a mini cookie tower, tied with a rustic ribbon for a charming gift idea. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies together with a creamy filling like Nutella, peanut butter, or homemade marshmallow fluff for a delightful twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy. They’ll hold up well for about 4 to 5 days, allowing you to enjoy freshly baked goodness multiple times.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch in advance, freeze the dough balls after shaping them. You can freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time, for fresh cookies anytime.
Reheating
To warm up leftover cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or until slightly soft. Alternatively, reheat briefly in a 300ºF oven on a baking sheet for 5 minutes to revive that freshly baked aroma and texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute softened butter for cold butter in this recipe?
While softened butter is common in many cookie recipes, using cold butter as specified here helps control the cookie spread and texture, resulting in that trademark tender but slightly crispy edge.
What kind of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice, but you can experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a mix of chunks for added texture and flavor complexity.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Yes, chilling the dough for an hour is an essential step in the Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It not only improves flavor but also helps the cookies maintain their shape and develop the perfect texture.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking. Be sure it includes xanthan gum or another binder to help the cookies hold together properly.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for up to five days. For longer storage, freezing the dough or baked cookies is the best method.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with the Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe — it’s a timeless classic that hits all the right notes of flavor and texture. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just a cozy afternoon treat, these cookies deliver comfort and joy in every bite. So grab your ingredients and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite chocolate chip cookies!
Print
Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the classic Ritz Carlton Chocolate Chip Cookies, known for their perfect balance of chewy and crispy textures, loaded with rich chocolate chips, and a buttery, sweet flavor that makes them irresistible. These cookies are simple to prepare and bake, making them a perfect treat for gatherings or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Butter Mixture
- 1 lb cold butter (4 sticks)
- 3 cups light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ tsp baking powder
Add-ins
- 3¼ cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature by the time your dough is ready.
- Beat Butter: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cold butter until it is soft and creamy, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the softened butter and mix well until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder into the wet mixture. Mix thoroughly until a consistent dough forms. Then fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into 36 equal balls for evenly sized cookies. Place them on a tray and refrigerate for one hour to help the dough firm up and improve texture during baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Line baking sheets with parchment paper and place the chilled cookie dough balls spaced apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown while the centers remain slightly soft.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, ensure the butter is cold before beating but softened enough to cream smoothly.
- Chilling the dough is essential for preventing excessive spreading and achieving the classic chewy texture.
- You can substitute semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips according to your preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
