If you’ve ever stayed at a DoubleTree hotel, you know those warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies welcoming you at check-in are something truly unforgettable. Lucky for us, the magic behind that beloved treat is captured perfectly in this DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Every bite offers a delightful harmony of soft, chewy oats, rich walnuts, and generous amounts of semi-sweet chocolate chips, all wrapped in a buttery dough that melts in your mouth. This recipe isn’t just any chocolate chip cookie; it’s a legendary classic that brings comfort, nostalgia, and pure joy, perfect to share or keep all to yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the perfect DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies starts with simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a vital role—from the creamy butter enriching the dough’s texture, to the ground cinnamon that adds just a whisper of warmth beyond the sweet chocolate chips.
- Unsalted butter (2 sticks): Softened to the right temperature for easy creaming, ensuring a tender crumb and rich flavor.
- Granulated sugar (¾ cup + 1 tablespoon): Adds sweetness and helps create that slight crispness on the cookie edges.
- Light brown sugar (¾ cup): Brings moisture and a subtle caramel note, keeping each cookie chewy and satisfying.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients together while adding moisture and richness.
- Vanilla extract (1 ¼ teaspoons): Enhances all the sweet flavors with its warm, aromatic touch.
- Fresh lemon juice (¼ teaspoon): A surprising twist to brighten the dough and balance sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (2 ¼ cups): The backbone that gives structure to your cookies; measure carefully.
- Rolled oats (½ cup): Add gentle chewiness and heartiness for that signature texture.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Provides lift to get that perfect rise without making the cookies cakey.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Essential for pointing up the flavors and balancing sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (pinch): Adds warmth and depth, elevating the cookie’s complexity.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 ⅔ cups): The star ingredient—melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Chopped walnuts (1 ¾ cups): Bring a satisfying crunch and nutty aroma that pairs beautifully with the chocolate.
How to Make DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars
Start your baking adventure by softening butter to a creamy consistency. In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This process not only blends these key ingredients but also traps air, helping to create cookies with the perfect tender yet crumbly texture.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Next, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice to your buttery sugar mixture. Beat them together thoroughly. The eggs bring moisture and richness, while the vanilla offers that classic sweet aroma. The lemon juice might sound unusual, but it subtly perks up the dough, making every flavor pop with freshness.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of cinnamon in a separate bowl. This careful blending ensures every bite of cookie has a balanced texture and the hint of spice adds a comforting twist to the overall flavor.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. It’s important not to overmix here; just blend until combined. Overworking the dough can lead to dense cookies, but the goal is a tender, chewy bite packed with flavor.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Walnuts
With a gentle hand, fold in the generous amount of semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts using a spatula. This step ensures you get chocolate and crunchy walnut goodness distributed evenly throughout every cookie, making each bite exciting and delicious.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), which is slightly lower than many cookie recipes and perfect for baking these cookies slowly to achieve their signature golden-brown color and chewy texture. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to portion the dough. Space the scoops well apart, then bake for 20 minutes or until the edges set but the centers remain soft.
Step 7: Cool Cookies
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This resting time lets them set perfectly before moving to a wire rack to cool completely. The result? Cookies that hold together beautifully yet stay soft and chewy inside.
How to Serve DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are incredible on their own, you can add a playful twist with garnishes. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips or crushed walnuts on top immediately after scooping the dough for an extra eye-catching look and a bit of crunch on each cookie’s surface.
Side Dishes
Serve your DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate classic combo. Alternatively, pairing them with a cup of hot coffee or creamy vanilla ice cream turns dessert time into a cozy, indulgent experience that everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, jazz up your presentation by stacking cookies or arranging them in a decorative tin lined with parchment paper. You can also sandwich a dollop of peanut butter or marshmallow fluff between two cookies for an irresistible treat that will wow guests of all ages.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftover DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, making an easy grab-and-go snack or sweet surprise for later.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. When wrapped tightly, these cookies keep their texture and flavor for up to three months, so you can enjoy that hotel-cookie magic anytime.
Reheating
To enjoy cookies as if freshly baked, warm them for about 10 seconds in the microwave or briefly in a low-heat oven. This softens the cookies and melts the chocolate chips just right, reviving their gooey charm and making them taste even better the second time around.
FAQs
Can I substitute walnuts for another nut in the DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! If walnuts aren’t your favorite or if you have allergies, pecans or almonds work wonderfully as alternatives. Just chop them similarly to keep the texture consistent.
Why do you add lemon juice to the cookie dough?
The lemon juice may seem unexpected, but it adds a subtle brightness that cuts through the sweetness and balances the flavors beautifully, enhancing the vanilla and chocolate notes.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
While quick oats are finer and can be used in a pinch, rolled oats provide a better chew and structure that characterize these cookies. For best results, stick to rolled oats.
What is the best way to ensure chewy cookies rather than crispy?
Baking at a slightly lower temperature (300°F) and not overbaking keeps the centers soft and chewy. Also, don’t skimp on the brown sugar, which helps with moisture retention.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can chill the dough for up to 24 hours before baking. This resting period actually intensifies the flavors and improves texture, making your cookie experience even better.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into little bites of happiness. Whether you’re recreating a hotel classic or just craving an exceptional chocolate chip cookie, this recipe brings the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and warmth to your kitchen. Give it a try, and prepare to fall in love with a cookie that feels like a comforting hug in every mouthful.
Print
DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 26 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe replicates the famously soft, chewy, and rich cookies served at DoubleTree hotels. Featuring a blend of rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chopped walnuts, these cookies achieve a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The subtle hint of cinnamon and fresh lemon juice adds a unique twist to a classic favorite, delivering a cookie that’s crispy on the edges and tender inside.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
Add-ins
- 2 â…” cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ¾ cups walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice until well combined, ensuring the batter is smooth and the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Add Dry to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a soft cookie texture.
- Fold in Chips and Nuts: Using a spatula, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts to ensure even distribution without overworking the dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to portion the dough onto the sheets, spacing them adequately. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown with edges set but centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps the cookies set without breaking.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the proper creaming texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once adding dry ingredients to keep cookies tender and fluffy.
- If you prefer, walnuts can be substituted or omitted based on preference or allergies.
- The lower baking temperature of 300°F helps keep the cookies soft and chewy rather than crisp.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
