Double Chocolate Dream Cookies

Okay, let me tell you about these cookies. They’re called Double Chocolate Dream Cookies for a reason. One bite and you’ll see why.

I’ve made these so many times, and they never last long. They’re soft, rich, and full of melty chocolate. Like, super chocolatey.

Every time I bake them, people ask for the recipe. They’re simple, but taste like a bakery treat. If you love chocolate, you’re gonna love these.

Let’s make them together. I’ll show you everything, step by step. It’s easier than you think.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deep, Rich Chocolate Flavor: These cookies are built on a cocoa-rich base, amplified with semi-sweet chocolate chips. It’s layered chocolate flavor in every bite.
• Perfect Texture: The outside bakes into a delicate crust, while the center stays chewy and soft for days—not just straight out of the oven.
• Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You’re likely to have everything you need already at home, especially if you keep cocoa powder and chocolate chips on hand.
• No Special Skills Needed: This recipe is forgiving and easy. You don’t need advanced techniques to get great results.
• Great for Freezing or Gifting: The dough freezes beautifully, and baked cookies keep well—making them perfect for gifting or prepping ahead of time.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep & Bake Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus optional 30 minutes chill time for thicker cookies)
• Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: About 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on chill time)

Yields:
This recipe makes about 24 medium-sized cookies using a standard cookie scoop (1.5 tablespoons per cookie). You can double or triple the recipe with no changes to method—just plan for extra baking sheets and cooling space.

Skill Level:
Beginner-friendly. The steps are straightforward and don’t require any advanced techniques like folding or whipping egg whites. If you can mix, scoop, and bake, you can master these cookies.

Pro Tip Before You Start:
Let your butter sit at room temperature for about 30–60 minutes. It should be soft to the touch but not melted. Softened butter blends more evenly with sugars and helps create that classic chewy cookie texture.

Required Kitchen Tools

You don’t need any fancy gadgets—just a few baking basics:

• Large mixing bowl – for combining dry and wet ingredients
• Hand or stand mixer – optional, but helpful for creaming butter and sugars
• Rubber spatula – for scraping down the bowl
• Whisk – for mixing dry ingredients evenly
• Measuring cups and spoons – accuracy matters here, especially with flour
• Cookie scoop – keeps cookie sizes uniform for even baking
• Baking sheets – lined with parchment paper or silicone mats for even heat
• Wire cooling rack – allows air to circulate so cookies cool evenly without going soggy on the bottom

Ingredients for Double Chocolate Dream Cookies

These ingredients work together to deliver that rich, dreamy texture and flavor. Measure carefully for the best outcome—especially the flour and cocoa powder. Too much flour will lead to dry cookies, and too little cocoa will mute the chocolate punch.

Dry Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
  Gives the cookies structure. Be sure to spoon and level the flour to avoid packing it too tightly.
• 1/2 cup (43g) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
  Unsweetened and rich, this adds deep chocolate flavor. You can also use Dutch-processed cocoa for a slightly smoother taste.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  Helps the cookies rise and spread just enough.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  Enhances the sweetness and balances the chocolate. Don’t skip it.

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
  Butter is key to flavor and chewiness. Margarine works too, but butter gives the best taste.
• 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
  Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that complements chocolate beautifully.
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  Helps create crisp edges and a nice balance of sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  Rounds out the chocolate flavor with a warm undertone.
• 2 large eggs
  Bind the ingredients and help with that soft, fudgy interior.

Chocolate Add-In

• 2 cups (12-ounce bag) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
  These melt into little pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the cookies. You can also use chopped chocolate or mix in a few milk or dark chips if you prefer.

Variations for Double Chocolate Dream Cookies

These cookies are fantastic as-is, but if you’re looking to change things up, here are a few ideas to personalize the batch:

• Add White Chocolate Chips: Swap 1 cup of semi-sweet chips with white chocolate for a sweeter contrast.
• Add Chopped Nuts: Mix in 1/2 cup of walnuts or pecans for crunch and depth of flavor.
• Espresso Powder Boost: Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry mix to enhance the cocoa flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
• Mint Twist: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract for a holiday-friendly version.
• Stuff with Marshmallows: Place a mini marshmallow inside each dough ball before baking for a gooey center.
• Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon for a subtle warmth behind the chocolate.

How to Make Double Chocolate Dream Cookies Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep

Set your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and promotes even baking.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix until well combined. This helps distribute the leavening agents and cocoa evenly throughout the dough.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer (or a wooden spoon and some muscle) to cream:

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Beat on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. Proper creaming incorporates air, which gives the cookies their soft texture.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in:

• 2 large eggs (one at a time)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix until everything is fully incorporated and the mixture looks smooth and creamy.

5. Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in 2–3 parts. Mix on low speed or by hand until just combined. Overmixing will make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears.

6. Fold in Chocolate Chips

Use a spatula to gently fold in:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Make sure the chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

7. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This helps control spreading and results in thicker, chewier cookies.

8. Scoop and Bake

Scoop the dough into 1.5 to 2 tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just set. The centers will look slightly underdone, but they’ll finish setting as they cool.

9. Cool

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures the centers stay soft but not doughy.

How to Serve Double Chocolate Dream Cookies

These cookies are rich on their own, but you can elevate them in a few simple ways:

• Warm with Milk: Heat them for 10 seconds in the microwave and serve with cold milk for a classic combo.
• With Ice Cream: Sandwich vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies for an easy dessert.
• Drizzled with Chocolate: Melt a bit of extra chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled cookies for a fancy touch.
• Holiday Platter Favorite: Add to your cookie trays with white chocolate peppermint bark or shortbread for variety.

Storing Double Chocolate Dream Cookies

Here’s how to keep them soft and fresh:

• Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for 4–5 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to keep them soft.
• Refrigerator: Not necessary, but can be done if your kitchen is warm. Bring to room temp before serving.
• Freezing Dough: Roll dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Don’t Skip Salt: Even in sweet cookies, salt enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Room Temp Ingredients: Butter and eggs should be at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Spoon and Level Flour: Avoid dense cookies by properly measuring your flour—never scoop straight from the bag.
• Watch Bake Time: The cookies should still look slightly soft in the center when you remove them. They’ll finish baking as they cool.
• Cooling Matters: Letting cookies rest on the pan helps them set up properly before moving to a rack.

Nutrition

Serving Size	1 cookie (based on 24 cookies)
Calories	210
Total Fat	11g
Saturated Fat	7g
Carbohydrates	28g
Sugar	18g
Protein	2g
Fiber	2g
Sodium	100mg

Values are estimates and may vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.

Double Chocolate Dream Cookies FAQs

Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa instead of natural cocoa powder?
Yes. Dutch-processed cocoa will give a slightly smoother, less acidic chocolate flavor. It won’t drastically change the texture but may deepen the overall taste.

Do I have to chill the dough?
No, but it helps. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much and gives you a thicker, chewier texture. If you’re short on time, you can skip it—just know your cookies may spread a bit more.

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour substitute. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add 1/2 teaspoon if not included. Texture may vary slightly.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely. Scoop dough into balls and freeze in a single layer. Once solid, store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen with an extra minute or two added to the baking time.

How do I make smaller or larger cookies?
Just adjust the scoop size and bake time. Smaller cookies (1 tbsp) need 8–9 minutes. Larger cookies (3 tbsp) may take 12–14 minutes.

Conclusion

Double Chocolate Dream Cookies are our go-to whenever we need a no-fuss, chocolate-loaded treat that’s sure to make everyone happy. We’ve tested this recipe dozens of times—and it always turns out soft, rich, and full of melty morsels. Whether you’re baking for a school event, a weekend treat, or freezing dough for later, these cookies are a reliable winner.

Once you make them, you’ll keep coming back to this recipe. It’s that dependable.