My husband’s department had a cookie baking competition this past week for the holidays. I wasn’t allowed to help him, but it got me thinking about what kind of cookie I would enter into a competition. I wanted something that would appeal to many different people but still felt special- this is where these Dark Chocolate Walnut Cookies come in! Everyone loves a chocolate chip cookie, and the addition of the toasted walnuts and the flaky salt on top just makes them feel a little more special. They’re sweet, salty, and complex – the perfect dessert!
Using chopped chocolate instead of chocolate chips makes a big difference in the flavor of the cookie. When chopping chocolate, you get both big chunks of chocolate and little flakes of chocolate. The chocolate flakes melt into the dough and distribute the chocolate flavor throughout the cookie. It adds a depth of flavor to the dough that regular chocolate chips just can’t! On the other hand, those bigger chunks of chocolate melt so well and are some of my favorite bites.
When I add nuts to a dessert, I always toast them. Toasting the walnuts in these cookies enhances the nutty flavor and perfectly pairs with the dark chocolate chunks and vanilla brown sugar cookie base. Just make sure to keep an eye on the walnuts while you toast them, as they can go from perfectly browned to burnt in just a moment!
These Dark Chocolate Walnut Cookies are an elevated, extra special version of a chocolate chip cookie. They have a perfectly soft center, crispy edges, and gooey chocolate bites. A sprinkle of flaky salt before baking takes these over the top. I’m convinced that I would have taken first place if I was allowed to enter these cookies into the competition- they’re that good!
Dark Chocolate Walnut Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ cup dark chocolate chopped
- ½ cup walnuts toasted
- ½ tsp flaky salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread the chopped walnuts on a cookie tray and bake in the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until browned and fragrant.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until sugar is fully incorporated.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Fold in chopped chocolate and toasted walnuts until evenly distributed.
- Scoop cookies onto a cookie sheet in 2 tbsp measures. Sprinkle cookie dough with flaky salt, if using.
- Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges. Enjoy!
A definite hit at my husband’s office potluck! We will be making them again.
So glad you liked them!
I love this chocolate chip cookie recipe! The cookies have a rich buttery taste, and the dark chocolate and toasted walnuts make them even more special. I’ve made this recipe a few times and they’ve turned out fabulous each time. Tonight I threw in some white chocolate chips and coconut for some extra pizazz, and they were great! Thanks for the great recipe, Allison!
Oh, yum! I’m so happy this recipe is becoming a favorite for you!