The Ultimate Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe: Thick, Soft, & Chewy Perfection

Get ready to experience the magic of homemade Crumbl-style cookies! I am incredibly excited to share this meticulously perfected Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. After numerous trials and a deep dive into cookie baking science, I’ve cracked the code to replicate those famous, irresistible Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies right in your own kitchen. These cookies aren’t just similar; they are a truly authentic copycat of Crumbl’s renowned treats! Expect the same impressive size (yes, they’re wonderfully large and in charge), an ultra-thick profile, an unbelievably soft texture that lasts for days, and a deliciously chewy bite that defines cookie perfection. Now, you can enjoy gourmet chocolate chip Crumbl cookies anytime you desire, without leaving home.

If your journey to this page was fueled by your love for Crumbl cookies, you’re in for a treat! Be sure to explore my extensive collection of Crumbl Cookie Copycat Recipes, where an entire section is dedicated to replicating these bakery favorites. For those who adore chocolate chip cookies and are seeking more delightful variations, I highly recommend trying my Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies for when a smaller craving strikes, the rich and complex Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, the comforting Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, and of course, the timeless appeal of these classic Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies. Each recipe offers a unique spin on this beloved dessert, but for an authentic Crumbl experience, keep reading!

Why This Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe is a Must-Try

Crafting the perfect copycat Crumbl cookie required dedication, experimentation, and a passion for baking. This recipe stands out because it meticulously recreates the signature characteristics that make Crumbl’s chocolate chip cookies so popular. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Achieve Crumbl’s Signature Size and Thickness. One of the most defining features of a Crumbl cookie is its impressive size and substantial thickness. To truly capture that bakery experience, our recipe instructs you to portion out generous 1/2 cup scoops of cookie dough. If you prefer precision, aim for approximately 5 oz per dough ball using a kitchen scale. This method ensures you get those amazing, giant cookies that Crumbl is famous for. While the original Crumbl size is ideal for an authentic copycat, you can certainly opt for a slightly smaller 1/4 cup portion, which is a common size I use for most cookie recipes on my site. The larger dough balls also contribute to the cookie’s thick, gooey center.
• Unrivaled Softness and Chewy Texture. Developing this particular Crumbl chocolate chip cookie recipe was a labor of love, requiring several attempts to achieve the ideal balance of soft and chewy. Each iteration taught me invaluable lessons about cookie baking science, ultimately leading to this perfected formula. The result is a copycat Crumbl cookie that boasts a consistently soft texture, even on the second or third day, paired with that satisfying, pliable chewiness we all crave. It’s a texture that truly sets these cookies apart from ordinary chocolate chip recipes.
• A Perfect Copycat Experience. These delicious homemade cookies don’t just look the part; they taste authentically like a fresh batch from your favorite Crumbl bakery. They strike the perfect balance of sweetness, with a rich flavor profile that speaks of quality ingredients and careful baking. Baked to perfection, they are neither too soft nor too hard, offering that ideal bite every time. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s your new go-to for experiencing the ultimate Crumbl cookie at home.

Essential Ingredients for Your Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in replicating the unique taste and texture of Crumbl’s famous chocolate chip cookies. Using high-quality ingredients and understanding their function will guarantee the best results.

• All Purpose Flour: This recipe was developed and tested at sea level, which is a crucial detail for baking. All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure without making the cookies too dense. If you are baking at a higher elevation, adjustments will be required to prevent your cookies from spreading too much or becoming too dry. Please refer to my Recipe Tips and Recipe FAQs sections for precise guidance on adapting the flour quantity for high-altitude baking.
• Cornstarch: The secret weapon for ultimate softness! Cornstarch is key to this recipe’s success. It plays a vital role in tenderizing the cookie dough, holding onto moisture, and preventing excessive gluten development. This results in cookies that remain incredibly soft, maintain their thick shape, and deliver that signature chewy texture even after cooling. Without it, your cookies might be less tender and more prone to drying out.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Since these Crumbl-sized cookies are generously large and thick, we use a carefully measured combination of both baking powder and baking soda. This duo ensures a perfect rise, giving the cookies their signature lofty height and preventing them from becoming flat or dense. Baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar, while baking powder provides an additional lift, contributing to a wonderfully tender crumb.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter is fundamental to the rich flavor and soft, chewy texture of these cookies. The fat content in butter is what keeps cookies moist and contributes to their delightful chewiness. It’s essential to use unsalted butter at room temperature for proper creaming. If you opt for salted butter, remember to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe by 1/2 teaspoon to avoid overly salty cookies.
• Brown Sugar: Our recipe uses a higher ratio of brown sugar to granulated sugar, and for good reason. Brown sugar, with its molasses content, is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This is vital for achieving the moist interior and soft, chewy texture characteristic of Crumbl cookies. The combination with granulated sugar provides the perfect balance of sweetness and contributes to both spread and chewiness.
• Guittard Baking Chips: For the most authentic Crumbl copycat experience, specifically with their famous chocolate chip cookies, Guittard milk chocolate chips are the gold standard. Crumbl typically uses large milk chocolate chips, which melt beautifully and provide generous pockets of chocolate in every bite. While these are recommended for an exact replication, please feel free to use your preferred brand or type of chocolate chips (semi-sweet, dark, or a mix) to suit your taste. Don’t hesitate to add a few extra on top of the dough balls before baking for that quintessential bakery-style finish!

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies

Follow these detailed instructions carefully to ensure your homemade Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies turn out perfectly thick, soft, and utterly delicious. Precision in baking leads to perfection!

1. Combine Dry Ingredients. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, meticulously measure and combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly for about 30 seconds to ensure they are evenly distributed. This step is crucial for consistent leavening and flavor throughout your cookies.
2. Cream the Wet Ingredients. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, add the room temperature unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cream these ingredients together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ soft texture. Remember to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl midway through to ensure everything is well combined. Then, add the large egg and vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed for another minute until fully incorporated and smooth.
3. Gently Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures. Gradually add the whisked dry flour mixture to the wet creamed ingredients. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are just combined. It is vital not to overmix the dough at this stage, as overmixing can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough, dry cookies. Use a rubber spatula to carefully fold in your chosen chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

4. Portion into Dough Balls. To achieve the iconic Crumbl size, use a 1/2 cup measuring scoop to portion the cookie dough into generously sized balls. For ultimate precision and consistent baking, I highly recommend using a kitchen scale to ensure each dough ball weighs approximately 5 to 5.5 ounces. If you prefer a slightly smaller cookie, a 1/4 cup scoop will also work. Place these meticulously portioned dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. When making the larger 1/2 cup (or 5 oz) cookies, it’s best to place only two cookies per baking sheet to allow ample space for spreading without crowding. You can also gently press down on the dough balls to slightly flatten them into thick disks, which can help ensure a more uniform spread and bake.
5. Bake Your Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies. Preheat your oven to a precise 375°F (use an oven thermometer for accuracy). Bake the cookies for 9-12 minutes. The cookies are ready when their tops are lightly golden brown, no longer appear shiny or wet in the center, and the edges are visibly set. Upon removing the baking sheet from the oven, immediately use a very large round biscuit cutter or cookie cutter. Place it over each hot cookie and gently swirl it in a hula hoop motion around the cookie. This technique helps to perfectly round any uneven edges, giving your homemade Crumbl cookies that pristine, professional bakery appearance.
6. Cool and Enjoy. Allow the freshly baked cookies to remain on the baking sheet for an additional 10-15 minutes after removing them from the oven. This crucial resting period allows the cookies to continue baking slightly from residual heat, firm up, and set properly, preventing them from falling apart when transferred. After this initial cooling, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool for at least 15 more minutes before taking your first delicious bite. This final cooling ensures the cookies are fully set and their flavors have developed. Then, dive into your homemade Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies and enjoy!

Expert Tips for Your Best Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality Crumbl chocolate chip cookies at home is entirely possible with a few insider tips. These recommendations will help you elevate your baking game and ensure every batch is a success:

First and foremost, Crumbl’s classic chocolate chip cookies feature large milk chocolate chips for their signature sweet and melty profile. If you’re aiming for that exact copycat flavor, stick with milk chocolate. However, if your preference leans towards a less sweet or more intense chocolate flavor, feel free to substitute with semi-sweet or even dark chocolate chips. Don’t be shy about the quantity of chocolate – I often use more than the specified 1 1/4 cups! A fantastic trick for that “fresh from the bakery” look is to gently press a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops of the formed cookie dough balls before baking. As the cookies bake and spread, these visible chips will melt beautifully, creating an even more inviting appearance.

Another excellent tip for enhancing the flavor and texture of your chocolate chip cookies, while not strictly necessary for this recipe, is to chill the dough. Chilling the cookie dough for an extended period, ideally 1-24 hours in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allows the flavors to meld, deepen, and develop a richer complexity. It also helps to prevent excessive spreading, resulting in thicker cookies. When you’re ready to bake after chilling, remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until it’s just soft enough to scoop into uniform balls.

Maintaining the correct oven temperature is paramount for perfect cookies. I cannot stress enough the importance of using an independent oven thermometer. Oven temperatures can vary significantly from what the dial indicates, often by as much as 25-50°F. Ensuring your oven is accurately heated to 375°F will guarantee consistent baking and prevent your cookies from either spreading too much (if the oven is too cool) or burning on the edges while remaining raw in the center (if too hot).

During baking, keep a close eye on your cookies. If they have baked for the full 10 minutes and still appear very underbaked or overly shiny in the center, allow them to bake for a couple more minutes. Look for visual cues: the tops should be lightly golden brown, and the edges should appear set and firm. Trust your baking instincts here; sometimes, ovens or cookie sizes require slight adjustments.

Finally, the cooling process is just as important as the baking. Once you remove the cookies from the oven, it’s crucial that they remain on the hot baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the residual heat from the baking sheet will continue to cook the cookies gently from the bottom, allowing them to set up properly and firm up their structure. Transferring them too soon can cause them to break or lose their shape. After this initial rest, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures an even cool-down and helps maintain their perfect soft and chewy texture.

Mastering the Art of the Perfect Crumbl Cookie

Replicating Crumbl’s signature cookies requires more than just good ingredients; it’s about understanding the delicate balance of baking science. Here’s how to consistently achieve that perfect Crumbl look and feel:

• Bake at the Right Temperature for Optimal Texture. You might encounter advice suggesting very high oven temperatures (400°F or hotter) to achieve thick cookies, based on the idea that high heat “shocks” the cookie into setting quickly, limiting spread. However, through extensive testing, I’ve found that this method, while producing a thick cookie, often results in overly doughy centers and excessively dark or crispy edges. Our recommended temperature of 375°F is a sweet spot, providing enough initial heat for a good rise and thick structure, while allowing the cookies to bake through evenly for that perfectly soft and chewy interior without compromising the edges. An oven thermometer is your best friend here!
• Utilize the Correct Proportions of Ingredients for Structure and Moisture. The ratio of fats, sugars, and flour is critical in cookie baking. This recipe carefully balances these components. For instance, a sufficient amount of butter is essential not only for flavor but also for keeping the cookies incredibly moist and tender. Too little fat can lead to crumbly cookies that dry out quickly and become hard the next day – a far cry from the desirable soft Crumbl texture. Similarly, the specific ratio of brown sugar to granulated sugar contributes directly to the chewiness and moisture retention, ensuring your cookies stay fresh and delicious.
• Portion Dough into Large, Equal Balls for Uniformity. To mimic the substantial size of Crumbl cookies, it’s crucial to portion the dough into large, uniform balls. Using a 1/2-cup measure or a kitchen scale (aiming for 5-5.5 oz per ball) ensures consistent size. Uniformity in dough ball size is key to achieving an even bake across all your cookies. If some cookies are significantly larger or smaller, they will bake at different rates, leading to some being overbaked and others underbaked. For an extra touch, gently flatten the dough balls into thick disks before baking; this encourages an even spread and a more uniformly thick cookie.

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Your Copycat Crumbl Cookies

One of the best things about this Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is how well the dough and baked cookies can be prepared ahead of time, stored, or frozen, ensuring you always have a delicious treat on hand.

For convenience, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance. The dough will remain fresh and flavorful when chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days before baking. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows it to soften slightly, making it easier to scoop into uniform dough balls before following the baking instructions.

Once baked, these indulgent Crumbl chocolate chip cookies are designed to stay wonderfully soft for several days. Store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Though, given how incredibly delicious they are, it’s unlikely they’ll last that long!

Freezing is another fantastic option for long-term storage, either for the cookie dough or the baked cookies. To freeze the cookie dough, portion it into balls as directed in the recipe, then place the dough balls in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once solid, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container, and they will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, remove the desired number of dough balls from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for about an hour before baking as usual. This ensures they bake evenly and maintain their perfect texture.

I am particularly thrilled with how exceptionally soft these cookies remain over time. In one test, I deliberately left a cookie out on the counter, unwrapped and uncovered, and to my delight, it was still incredibly soft and moist the very next day! This lasting softness is a testament to the perfect balance of ingredients and baking technique in this copycat Crumbl recipe.

For comprehensive guidance on cookie preservation, my post on Freezing Cookie Dough covers everything you need to know about properly storing cookie dough, freezing it, and even baking it straight from frozen (with minor adjustments). Additionally, my Freezing Cookies post offers valuable tips and tricks specifically for freezing baked cookies, ensuring they retain their delightful taste and texture upon thawing.

Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe FAQs

More Irresistible Cookie Recipes to Try

If you’ve enjoyed mastering the Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie, you’re likely a cookie enthusiast! Dive into some of my other fantastic cookie recipes that are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet craving:

• Double Chocolate Chip Cookies – For the ultimate chocolate lover, these rich and decadent cookies are a dream come true, packed with intense cocoa flavor and melty chocolate chips.
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – A delightful twist on the classic, these cookies combine the comforting chewiness of oatmeal with the sweetness of chocolate chips, creating the most perfect oatmeal cookie texture imaginable.
• Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – Even if you’re typically not a fan of raisins, these cookies will convert you! They are incredibly soft, subtly spiced, and wonderfully chewy, making them an unexpected favorite.
• Brownie Cookies – Imagine your favorite fudgy brownie transformed into a cookie. These rich, chocolatey cookies are surprisingly quick to make and bake, meaning you can have a warm, gooey treat in your hand in no time!
• Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies – Sometimes, you just can’t beat a classic. This timeless chocolate chip recipe is a crowd-pleaser that everyone adores, offering reliable deliciousness every single time.
• Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies – For an adventurous palate, these cookies offer a unique nutty depth from tahini that perfectly complements the chocolate. My husband even claims the tahini makes these cookies extra addicting, and I tend to agree!