Name: Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 1 cup brown sugar; ½ cup white sugar; 1 large egg; 1 egg yolk; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 12 ounces dark chocolate chunks; 1 tablespoon sea salt flakes

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 79 reviews

There is something utterly irresistible about the combination of rich dark chocolate chunks paired with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, creating an unforgettable harmony of sweet and savory. This Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe is a personal favorite that delivers soft, chewy cookies with pockets of melty chocolate and a delightful salty crunch. From the very first bite, these cookies offer a perfect balance that will have you reaching for seconds, thirds, and maybe even fourths. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just yourself, this recipe is straightforward enough to make any day feel special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows eleven clear glass bowls arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. At the top, there are two larger bowls, one filled with white flour and the other with brown sugar. Below them on the left is a bowl filled with small dark chocolate chunks, and on the right is a bowl holding two sticks of pale yellow butter. Moving down, a bowl of white granulated sugar is positioned left of two smaller bowls, each containing a raw egg with bright yellow yolks. At the bottom row, five small bowls contain various baking ingredients: white coarse salt, a clear liquid vanilla extract, fine white powder sugar, fine white baking soda, and a small amount of white powder baking powder. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Don’t be intimidated by the list—each ingredient in this recipe serves a clear purpose, contributing to the cookies’ irresistible taste, texture, and color. With simple pantry staples and quality chocolate, these cookies come together beautifully every time.

2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base, giving the cookies structure and tenderness.
½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors while balancing the sweetness.
½ teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them soft yet airy.
½ teaspoon baking soda: Works with the baking powder for perfect texture and slight browning.
¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds richness and ensures a tender crumb.
1 cup brown sugar: Imparts moisture and a deep caramel flavor.
½ cup white sugar: Brings crispness and balances the chewiness.
1 large egg: Binds the dough together while adding moisture.
1 egg yolk: Contributes extra richness and chewiness.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Amplifies the overall sweetness with warm notes.
12 ounces dark chocolate chunks: The star ingredient—gooey, melty chocolate pockets in every bite.
1 tablespoon sea salt flakes: A crucial finishing touch that heightens the chocolate flavor with a subtle crunch.

How to Make Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the perfect temperature to bake the cookies evenly from the moment they go in. Get your baking sheets ready by lining them with parchment paper or a baking stone for the best results.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Setting this aside means the leavening agents and salt will distribute evenly throughout the dough, resulting in uniform texture and flavor.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a larger bowl or your stand mixer, cream the unsalted butter with the brown sugar and white sugar on medium speed. Doing this for about 2 minutes creates a light and creamy base that traps air, which will help your cookies stay soft and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to your creamed butter and sugars. Mix on medium speed until everything is nicely combined, resulting in a silky, smooth batter that’s ready for the dry ingredients.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add the combined flour mixture to your wet ingredients and beat until just integrated. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as there are no dry patches. This careful mixing ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chunks

Using a spatula, fold in the dark chocolate chunks. These chunky pieces give every cookie generous pockets of melted chocolate without overwhelming the dough—a key to making this Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe a standout.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Use an ice cream scoop to portion the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets. This helps keep the cookie sizes consistent, ensuring even baking. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, watching closely for that beautiful golden edge and soft center.

Step 8: Sprinkle Sea Salt

As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, sprinkle the top generously with flaky sea salt. This finishing touch creates a stunning flavor contrast that takes these cookies to the next level.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack, or dive in immediately if you prefer that warm, melty cookie experience!

How to Serve Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

The image shows a stack of three round cookies on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The cookies are golden brown with visible melted dark chocolate chips scattered throughout. The top cookie has some coarse white salt sprinkled on it. In front of the stack lies a partially eaten cookie, showing its soft, dense interior filled with melted dark chocolate. The texture of the cookies looks slightly crispy on the edges and soft inside. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A light sprinkle of extra sea salt flakes before serving can enhance the savory-sweet balance even more. You could also add a dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for visual appeal and extra sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Each pairing complements the rich flavors in the cookies, making for an indulgent treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the cookies with a layer of softened ice cream in-between for homemade ice cream sandwiches. Or arrange them on a dessert platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for a festive look that’ll wow guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, making these cookies perfect for keeping on hand whenever a sweet craving strikes.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They should keep well for up to three months, so you can always have a stash ready for last-minute treats.

Reheating

To enjoy cookies warm after storage or freezing, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or heat them in a low oven for 5 minutes. This revives the melty texture and makes every bite feel freshly baked again.

FAQs

Can I substitute the dark chocolate chunks with chips?

Absolutely! Chocolate chips work well here, but chunks offer larger pockets of molten chocolate that ooze deliciously. If you like a chunkier texture, stick with chunks, but chips are a fine alternative.

What if I don’t have sea salt flakes?

If flaky sea salt isn’t available, use regular coarse sea salt or even kosher salt sparingly. The key is to add a finishing sprinkle to balance sweetness with saltiness—just adjust according to your taste preference.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, by swapping all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum, you can maintain the chewy texture. Just be sure your other ingredients are gluten-free too to avoid any hidden gluten.

Why do both baking soda and baking powder appear in the recipe?

Using both gives the cookies a balanced rise and tender crumb. Baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar to spread and brown the cookies, while baking powder provides extra leavening for fluffiness.

How do I keep cookies chewy instead of crispy?

Using more brown sugar than white sugar and including the egg yolk helps retain moisture, resulting in chewy cookies. Also, be careful not to overbake; pulling cookies out slightly soft will ensure they remain chewy as they cool.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a cookie that hits just the right notes of indulgence and balance, the Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe is your new go-to. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and always impresses whether at a gathering or as a simple self-treat. I encourage you to bake a batch today, enjoy the aromas filling your kitchen, and savor each deliciously salty-sweet bite!