Who doesn’t love a cookie that’s perfectly gooey in the middle with a slightly crisp edge? The half baked cookie recipe is a delightful way to enjoy the best of both worlds — a cookie that’s soft and chewy inside yet lightly cooked on the outside.
Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or impressing guests with a unique treat, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, requires basic pantry staples, and satisfies those sweet cravings without overbaking.
The magic lies in baking the cookies just until the edges set but the center remains soft and underdone, giving that luscious “half-baked” texture that everyone adores.
Perfect for chocolate chip cookie lovers, this recipe can be customized with your favorite mix-ins or enjoyed plain with a glass of milk. If you’re new to baking or just looking for a foolproof way to get that soft texture, this post will walk you through every step with tips and tricks to make your cookies irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This half baked cookie recipe is a game changer for cookie enthusiasts. It offers the perfect balance between a fully baked cookie and the raw dough texture that many secretly crave.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: The centers stay delightfully soft while the edges develop a light golden crust.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples — no fancy or hard-to-find ingredients.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with nuts, chocolates, or even dried fruit.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for last-minute dessert cravings.
- Perfect for Sharing: Great for bake sales, parties, or a cozy night snack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cooling rack
- Cookie scoop or spoon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy — about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender cookies.
- Fold in chocolate chips and nuts: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and optional nuts until evenly distributed.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 9-11 minutes. The edges should be set and lightly golden while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked — this is the key to that perfect half baked texture.
- Cool properly: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This helps them finish setting without overbaking.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature: These cookies are best enjoyed when still soft and warm, but they hold their texture well at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Tips & Variations
“The secret to the perfect half baked cookie is timing — watch your cookies closely as they bake and remove them as soon as the edges are firm.”
- Chill your dough: If you have time, chill the dough for 30 minutes. This helps prevent spreading and enhances flavor.
- Try different mix-ins: Swap chocolate chips for chunks of dark chocolate, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips.
- Gluten-free option: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free without sacrificing texture.
- Double chocolate: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and increase chocolate chips for a rich chocolate version.
- Salted caramel twist: Drizzle caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top just before serving.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Total Fat | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Cholesterol | 25 mg |
| Sodium | 90 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 14 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
Serving Suggestions
Serve these half baked cookies warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert. They also pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.
For a party, arrange the cookies on a platter alongside fresh fruit and nuts. You can also use these cookies as a base for cookie sandwiches by adding your favorite frosting or nut butter between two cookies.
If you love other sweet treats, be sure to check out our Clementine Bakery Vegan Recipes for Delicious Treats and Berry Cobbler Recipe Vegan: Easy, Delicious, and Healthy for more dessert inspiration.
Conclusion
The half baked cookie recipe is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy cookies that are soft, gooey, and perfectly textured. With minimal ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a batch in no time to satisfy your sweet tooth or impress friends and family.
The key is to pull the cookies out of the oven just as the edges set while the centers remain soft, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s hard to resist.
Experiment with different add-ins and flavors to make this recipe your own. Whether you prefer classic chocolate chip, double chocolate, or nutty variations, these cookies will always deliver that perfect balance of texture and flavor.
For more easy and delicious recipes, browse our collection like Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious or Vegan Dinners Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals. Happy baking!
📖 Recipe Card: Half Baked Cookie Recipe
Description: A deliciously soft and gooey cookie, perfect for those who love a slightly undercooked treat. Easy to make and ideal for sharing.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT10M
Total Time: PT25M
Servings: 12 cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugars until smooth.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to wet ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Nutrition: Calories: 180 kcal | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 9 g | Carbs: 24 g
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