5 Pro-Baker Tricks To Make Your Chocolate Chip Cookies Taste More Exciting

Brown that butter for richer flavor

Butter is an essential component of a great cookie — you can't skip it or skimp on it if you desire that rich flavor and texture. While there are cookies made without butter, and you can certainly substitute dairy butter with a non-dairy alternative, completely omitting butter is not an option if you want a high-quality chocolate chip cookie.

Regular butter is good, but browned butter is even better, according to Christina Tosi, as it provides a deeper, more complex flavor that elevates a standard cookie to something extraordinary. To brown the butter, simply add the required amount in chunks to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. You'll melt and cook the butter until the milk solids separate from the liquid, settle at the bottom, and turn a lovely golden brown.

Pro tip: opt for a light-colored saucepan instead of a dark one, as it will make it easier to observe this separation. As the butter browns, it develops a delightful caramel flavor that adds a touch of magic to your cookies. Browned butter isn't just for desserts; it's also the secret ingredient for mouthwatering mashed potatoes and many other dishes.

Swap out (some) of your flour

Right alongside butter, flour is another essential ingredient, but the specific type you choose is entirely up to you, offering ample room for creativity. You can stick with the classic white all-purpose flour or opt for a gluten-free alternative. Alternatively, as Christina Tosi recommends, consider incorporating some less common flours in addition to the standard one your recipe specifies. Tosi suggests making your usual recipe a bit more exciting by replacing about half of your regular flour with something unexpected, such as corn flour, buckwheat, or rye.

These various options, like corn flour, can change the texture of your cookies, making them chewier or more tender, or adding extra moisture. Rye, for instance, brings a wonderfully nutty flavor to the mix. The possibilities are endless when it comes to your choices. You might also add a handful or two of whole rolled oats for added texture and chewiness in your cookies. Just be sure to reduce the amount of the original flour called for to prevent your mixture from becoming too dry or difficult to combine.

Think beyond the standard chip

Perfecting a classic is no easy feat — we’re looking at you, semi-sweet chocolate chips. Naturally, if you ask around, everyone has their own passionate opinion on which brand reigns supreme. After all, chocolate is practically a religion, and people take their preferences seriously. Christina Tosi herself enjoys a classic bag of Nestle chocolate chip cookies, but if you want to bake like a pro, consider swapping out chips for some high-quality chocolate.

Tosi recommends chopping up whole bars of premium chocolate — whatever style and brand you prefer — and incorporating these chunks and nibs into your cookie dough. You might choose a bar of your favorite dark chocolate, a flavored variety, or chunky chocolate pieces or oval fèves for a more substantial chocolate experience in every bite. And while you’re not restricted to just chocolate, there are plenty of alternatives like caramel or butterscotch chips, though we’d argue that no cookie is truly complete without some genuine chocolate.

Play with extracts and other add-ins

No matter the shape, flavor, or brand you choose, adding chocolate chips or chunks to the dough is the most exciting part of your recipe. But why limit yourself? Christina Tosi recommends incorporating other delightful ingredients, both in extract form and as whole foods. Her ideas include experimenting with extracts like coconut for a subtle, unexpected twist. You can also explore various extracts or enhance the flavor and texture with chopped pistachios or other nuts, crushed pretzels, or even potato chips for a perfect blend of salty and sweet.

Got a stash of leftover holiday candy from Easter or Halloween? Cookie dough is an excellent way to use up all those roughly chopped candies and treats—almost anything can be a great addition. Marshmallow bits, M&Ms, nuts, and salty snacks—feel free to mix and match; the more, the merrier!

Roll your dough in pulverized flavors

All of these professional chef tips for enhancing your chocolate chip cookie game have primarily concentrated on refining your method for preparing the cookie dough itself. However, you can stick to your tried-and-true recipe and still elevate the flavor afterward. Simply roll your dough balls in crushed toppings like finely ground pretzels, shredded coconut, malted milk, and more to coat them in deliciousness before placing them on the baking tray.

This technique not only allows you to easily infuse extra flavor into any classic cookie recipe, but it also provides a fun activity for little helpers in the kitchen. You can set up several bowls of toppings and let the kids roll the dough in their preferred flavor, then see which version comes out on top.

Of course, if you ask ten people, you'll receive ten different opinions on what constitutes the perfect chocolate chip cookie — and there’s no wrong answer. However, to make your cookies taste like they were crafted by a professional chef, incorporate these five tips into your next batch and express your gratitude to us — and to Christina Tosi, the expert — later, after indulging in a cookie or two (or five).