Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies
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These chocolate chip cookies are crisp, chewy, and loaded with a couple of surprise ingredients make them extra delicious.
In the world of baking, there are few things as hotly debated as the perfect chocolate chip cookie. This recipe, from my friend Carrie, is certainly in the running. The first time she sent it to me, I remember thinking, Wow, she really threw everything in there. But Carrie is a fantastic baker, so I gave them a try—and now they’re one of my favorite chocolate chip cookies.
The secret? Actually, there are two. The first is oatmeal, ground into a fine powder so it adds just the right amount of chewiness without tasting like oatmeal cookies. The second is coconut. I know it sounds a little strange. But trust me: you can barely taste it, and it somehow makes the cookies richer, chewier, and even more irresistible.
“Such a great recipe—I try all different kinds of chocolate chip cookie recipes and this one is definitely at the top!”
What You’ll Need To Make Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Adds a subtle nutty flavor and chewy texture when ground.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookies. Measure by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to ensure accuracy.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and ensures even browning.
- Butter: Provides richness and moisture.
- Granulated Sugar & Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Large Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla: Enhances the flavor of the cookies with its aromatic richness.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provides rich chocolatey bites throughout the cookies.
- Sweetened Flaked Coconut: Adds a touch of sweetness and chewy texture.
- Pecans: Introduce a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Blitz the flour and oatmeal. To begin, place the oatmeal in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until finely ground.
Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the ground oats with the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.
Step 3: Cream the butter and sugars. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Add the egg and vanilla. Beat well to combine.
Step 5: Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and beat at low speed until just combined.
Step 6: Mix in the add-ins. Add chocolate chips, coconut and nuts and mix well.
Step 7: Form dough balls. Working with 1½ tablespoons of cookie dough at a time, form balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between them.
Step 8: Bake. Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake until edges of cookies begin to crisp but centers are still soft, 12 to 14 minutes.
Step 9: Cool and enjoy. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
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Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, ground in a food processor or blender until very fine
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
- ½ cup (packed) light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla
- ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup loosely packed sweetened flaked coconut
- ¾ cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Adjust racks to upper- and lower-middle positions and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the ground oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the egg and vanilla; continue beating until combined. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined. Add the chocolate chips, coconut and nuts and mix until evenly combined.
- Working with 1½ tablespoons of cookie dough at a time, form balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 in (5 cm) between them. (Keep remaining batter cool in refrigerator while first batch cooks.) Bake, reversing the position of cookie sheets halfway through baking, until the edges of the cookies begin to crisp but the centers are still soft, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
Notes
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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These are really good! I love the addition of pecans and coconut. Another great recipe! Thanks Jenn!
I have been searching for a great chocolate cookie recipe my whole life (I’m 68) and now I have finally found it. They are the perfect texture, soft on the inside and crisp on the outside and the coconut and pecans brought them to the next level. Thank you, Jenn. I love all your recipes and your book!
So glad you enjoyed them!
Hi, Jenn! How long do these keep at room temperature on the counter? What is the best way to save them this way, i.e., would an airtight container work best but would it also destroy some of that crusty top? Thanks!
Hi Jane, The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature and are at their best for up to 3 days. They may lose a bit of their crispy top as they sit, but I do think it’s best if they’re covered.
Hi, Jenn! I am not in my usual kitchen and plan to make these. I only have measuring cups here … which should I use to scoop the cookies, 1/4 c.? Or what else would you suggest? Thanks. – Jane
Each cookie should really only be about 1.5 Tbsp. of dough, so I’d just use a heaping tablespoon. (It doesn’t need to be a measuring spoon – a tablespoon from the silverware drawer is fine.) Hope you enjoy!
These were definitely a hit. My husband asked that I move the plate of cookies out of his sight before he ate them all. 😊
Hi Jenn,
Thank you for all the delicious recipes you share with us. Your instructions are easy to follow and your recipes are delicious. I enjoy looking through your recipes in the book and on your website.
I’ve made these cookies and they are delicious. When I took them out they were soft but after they cooled off, they became hard. I had them for 15 min in the convection oven at 350. Do you think I should make them next time at a lower temperature?
Thank you
Hi Galina, the rule of thumb when using the convection setting in an oven is to reduce the temperature by 25°, if you try these again I think you’ll have better luck. Hope that helps!
I’ve made this recipe many times They are the best chocolate chip cookies ever. I make them exactly as written – on convection multi rack for 12 minutes, using my gold touch cookie sheets and swapping/rotating at the 6 minute mark. My husband and daughter-in-law are chocolate chip cookie monsters. They eat these warm, room temp and right out of the freezer. When they are not slamming these they are slamming Jenn’s coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate.
The absolute BEST choc chip cookie! Made extra, froze, defrosted and just as great as the first batch. I’m going to gain an extra 20 lbs now!! Actually 3rd recipe now I’ve made and everything has been so incredible, I just ordered your cookbook. Thank you Jenn for all your tips and making me love cooking again ❤️
💕
Hi, Jenn: If I omit the nuts in this recipe, do I need to add more chocolate chips? Or is it fine just as is without the nuts? Thanks.
Hi Jane, it’s fine to omit the nuts without any other modifications. Enjoy!
Thanks. I truly always appreciate your prompt responses! It helps me as I am planning ahead. Have a great weekend!
These are fabulous! I have made them a few times already and love the addition of coconut. It just gives it that extra boost of flavor and moisture. Thanks for sharing!