Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies — Rich, Nutty, and Always a Hit

If you’re craving the perfect balance of gooey chocolate, golden edges, and a buttery, nutty crunch, these Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies are exactly what you need. This cookie is soft and chewy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and absolutely packed with melty chocolate chips and crunchy toasted walnuts.

There’s a reason this classic flavor combination never goes out of style. The sweet chocolate and savory nuts are a timeless pairing, and when folded into a buttery cookie dough, they transform into a treat that’s warm, comforting, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, a birthday party, or just want to fill your kitchen with the smell of warm cookies, this recipe checks all the boxes.

And unlike some cookie recipes that turn out thin and crispy (unless that’s what you’re into), these are thick and chewy — almost bakery-style — with a soft interior and a lightly golden exterior that holds its shape beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bakery-style thickness: These cookies are thick, chunky, and don’t flatten out in the oven.
• Extra chewy centers: Thanks to a balanced mix of brown sugar and butter, the centers stay soft and fudgy.
• Toasted walnuts: Toasting the walnuts intensifies their flavor and adds a beautiful crunch to every bite.
• Perfectly chocolatey: Using two types of chocolate chips (or a chopped chocolate bar) gives you layers of melty goodness.
• Freezer-friendly: The dough freezes beautifully for cookies on demand.

Ingredient Breakdown — What Each Ingredient Does

• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and flavor while helping with texture. Using softened butter lets the sugar properly cream into it for a light, fluffy dough.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and depth of flavor. Brown sugar makes the cookies chewy and gives them that rich, caramelized sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps the cookies spread and adds a slight crisp to the edges.
• Eggs: Binds everything together. We use one whole egg and one extra yolk for chewiness and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and brings out the sweetness of the chocolate.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of the cookie. Too much, and the cookies will be dry — too little, and they’ll overspread.
• Cornstarch: Softens the interior texture and helps the cookies stay thick.
• Baking Soda: Gives the cookies their rise and tender texture.
• Salt: Essential for balance — it prevents the cookies from being overly sweet and enhances the flavor of the chocolate and nuts.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Rich and perfectly sweet chocolate morsels that balance beautifully with walnuts.
• Chopped Walnuts (toasted): Adds earthy flavor, crunch, and balance to the sweet dough and chocolate.
• Optional Add-ins: A sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking takes these over the top.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Toast the Walnuts

Start by toasting your walnuts. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let them cool before chopping and adding to the dough. This brings out a deeper flavor and makes them extra crunchy in the finished cookie.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes. This step incorporates air into the dough, which helps keep the cookies thick and soft.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add one whole egg and one extra egg yolk to the butter mixture. Beat well to combine. Then stir in the vanilla extract. The yolk adds richness and helps achieve that signature chewy texture.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 5: Add Chocolate and Walnuts

Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped, toasted walnuts. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough so every cookie has a bit of everything.

Step 6: Scoop and Chill

Use a large cookie scoop (around 3 tablespoons) to portion the dough into balls. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and intensifies flavor.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Bake 6 cookies per tray for 11–13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look slightly underbaked. They’ll finish setting as they cool.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm for gooey chocolate or let cool completely for firmer cookies.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

• Don’t skip toasting the walnuts. It brings out their natural oils and flavor.
• Use a mix of chocolate chips and chunks. The variation in size creates little pools of melty chocolate.
• Chill the dough. Even a short chill helps the cookies stay thick and chewy.
• Add a pinch of flaky salt. Just before baking, a tiny sprinkle of sea salt on top creates the perfect sweet-salty balance.
• Don’t overbake! Slightly underbaked centers yield the softest texture.

How to Store and Freeze

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to keep the cookies soft.
• Freezer (Baked): Let cookies cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to enjoy warm.
• Freezer (Unbaked): Scoop dough balls and freeze on a tray. Transfer to a zip-top bag and bake straight from frozen (add 1–2 minutes to bake time).

When to Make These Cookies

These cookies are perfect for:

• Weeknight baking therapy
• Gifts for friends or neighbors
• Potlucks or bake sales
• Cozy nights in with a cup of milk or coffee
• Holidays — they’re festive and classic

They’ve got that familiar flavor of a classic chocolate chip cookie with the added crunch and depth of toasted walnuts, making them feel just a bit more elevated and indulgent.

Enjoy!

Few things in life are more comforting than a freshly baked cookie — especially when it’s thick, golden, packed with melty chocolate, and has that perfect walnut crunch. These Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies are the kind of nostalgic, cozy treat that never goes out of style. They’re simple, satisfying, and absolutely irresistible.