If you’re a fan of decadent, chewy chocolate chip cookies with crispy, toffee-like edges, this recipe replica inspired by Daphne Oz, is for you. Daphne, a self-proclaimed chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, tested countless recipes before perfecting one that she and everyone around her adore. My sister-in-law, who’s equally obsessed with Daphne's cookies, couldn’t stop raving about them and insisted I give them a try.

These cookies are the perfect combination of rich chocolate and crunchy edges, making them irresistible. What makes them stand out is the technique of deflating the cookies mid-bake, creating beautiful ripples and cracks that result in crisp edges and a gooey center.

Here’s how to recreate Daphne Oz’s best chocolate chip cookies with just a few simple ingredients and steps.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 ounces (2 bars) of 72% dark chocolate, chopped (or pre-packaged dark chocolate chunks)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start with the Sugar Mixture

Melt the butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave. While the butter melts, add both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar to a large mixing bowl. Once the butter is ready, pour it over the sugars and whisk thoroughly until combined and smooth.

2. Incorporate the Wet Ingredients

Next, add the room-temperature egg to the mixture and whisk for about one minute until fully incorporated. Follow this by adding the water and vanilla extract, whisking for another 1-2 minutes. The mixture should become slightly creamy at this point. Adding water is crucial because it hydrates the dough, allowing the flour to absorb more moisture, which results in a softer, chewier texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.

3. Add the Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt evenly over the wet mixture. Using a fork or spatula, lightly mix the dry ingredients together before combining them fully into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix—the dough should come together but remain soft.

4. Prepare the Chocolate

Now, it’s time to add the star ingredient: dark chocolate. Take your chocolate bars and roughly chop them into varying sizes—this creates a beautiful texture in the cookies. Smaller shards will melt and speckle throughout the dough, while the larger pieces will form luscious puddles of chocolate in each bite. If you prefer, you can use pre-made chocolate chunks.

5. Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 15-30 minutes. This helps firm up the dough and enhances the flavor. You can also freeze the dough for future use if you’re not planning to bake them all right away.

6. Preheat the Oven

While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 325°F-350°F depending on your oven’s heat levels. This slightly lower temperature will allow the cookies to bake slowly, giving them time to develop a crisp outer edge without overcooking the centers.

7. Portion and Shape the Cookies

Once the dough has chilled, it’s time to form the cookies. Scoop out palm-sized balls of dough (about 1/2 cup each) and loosely pack them. Place six cookies onto each baking sheet, spacing them far enough apart so they have room to spread. If you prefer smaller cookies, simply adjust the portion size accordingly.

8. Bake and Create the Signature Toffee-Crackle

Place the cookies in the oven and bake until they rise and begin to spread. Then, remove the baking sheet and drop it flatly onto a heat-resistant surface a couple of times—this technique deflates the cookies and creates beautiful ripples along the edges. Return the tray to the oven, and after a few minutes, give it another drop or two to further the rippling effect. The result is a toffee-like crackle that adds both flavor and texture to the cookie.

9. Cool the Cookies

Once the cookies are just baked through (bake time will vary, but approximately 12-15 minutes total time), remove them from the oven, sprinkle with a little salt if desired, and allow them to cool on the baking tray for about five minutes. Then, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely, if you can wait that long before diving in!

The Perfect Cookie Experience

What makes this cookie recipe stand out is the combination of flavors and textures. The slightly bitter dark chocolate perfectly balances the sweetness of the dough, while the unique baking technique ensures that each cookie has crispy, caramelized edges with a soft, chewy center. The toffee-like ripples on the edge offer an extra layer of crunch and flavor, making these cookies utterly irresistible.

Pro Tip: These cookies are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but they also freeze well. If you decide to freeze the dough, simply let it thaw for a few minutes before baking. You can even bake them directly from frozen—just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Whether you’re making these for a party or enjoying them at home with a glass of milk, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Try this recipe and experience the magic of Daphne Oz’s best chocolate chip cookies for yourself!