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To make these delightful Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies, you need a mix of sweet and salty ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark) - 1 cup pretzel pieces, coarsely crushed - 1/2 cup coarse sea salt (for topping) Each ingredient plays a key role. The butter adds richness and moisture. Brown sugar adds depth and chewiness. The egg binds everything together and helps create a tender cookie. Vanilla extract brings warmth and flavor. All-purpose flour forms the base. Baking soda helps the cookies rise slightly. Salt enhances all the flavors. Chocolate chips add sweetness, while pretzel pieces give a nice crunch. Finally, coarse sea salt on top adds an exciting salty contrast. Gather these ingredients to create a perfect balance of flavors and textures in your cookies. {{ingredient_image_1}} - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - In a large bowl, cream 1 cup of softened butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until it looks light and fluffy. - Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well until combined. - In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture. Mix just until everything comes together. - Gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of coarsely crushed pretzel pieces. Make sure they are evenly mixed. - Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop rounded balls of dough on the lined baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart. - Before baking, sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt on each cookie dough ball. - Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden brown edges, but keep the centers soft. - After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. To get the best texture, start by creaming the butter with the sugars. Use room temperature butter for easy mixing. Beat until it looks light and fluffy. This step helps trap air, making your cookies soft. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Mix just until you see no dry flour. Overmixing makes cookies tough instead of soft and chewy. For rich flavor, use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. Both give a nice balance to the sweet cookie. You can even mix them for a unique taste. When adding pretzel pieces, crush them coarsely. This way, you get crunchy bits in every bite. Mix them into the dough gently to keep their texture. To serve your cookies, arrange them on a colorful platter. This makes them look more inviting. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a fancy touch. For more flair, add whole pretzels on top as a garnish. This not only looks great but also hints at the salty surprise inside. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading and enhances the texture. Experiment with Pretzel Types: Try using flavored pretzels, such as honey mustard or chocolate-covered, to add a unique twist to your cookies. Use Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality chocolate chips or chunks for a richer flavor that complements the salty pretzels beautifully. Storage Tips: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness and chewy texture for up to a week. {{image_2}} You can switch up the chocolate in these cookies. Try using dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate. Each type brings its own taste. You can also use different types of pretzels, like chocolate-covered ones, for a fun twist. If you need a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Many blends work well in cookies. Just check that the blend contains xanthan gum for best results. Want to enhance the taste? You can add nuts like walnuts or pecans. They add a nice crunch. Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can also give a warm flavor. Adding extracts can change the profile too. Try almond extract for a nutty taste or orange extract for a zesty kick. You can make these cookies fit the season. For holidays, add peppermint extract and crushed candy canes. This makes a festive treat. In summer, consider adding dried fruits like cranberries or apricots. They add a sweetness and chewiness that brightens the cookies. Store your cookies at room temperature. Use an airtight container. This keeps them fresh. If you refrigerate, they may become hard. Only refrigerate if your kitchen is very warm. You can freeze these cookies for later. First, let them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag. To thaw, take them out and leave them on the counter. In about an hour, they will be ready to eat. These cookies last about one week at room temperature. For the best taste, eat them within three days. If frozen, they can last up to three months. Always check for freshness before enjoying. Yes, you can use margarine. It gives a similar texture. However, butter adds richer flavor. If you use margarine, make sure it is unsalted. This keeps the taste balanced. You can replace eggs with applesauce or a mashed banana. Each egg equals about 1/4 cup of applesauce. You can also use a flaxseed mixture. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. To stop cookies from spreading, chill the dough before baking. After mixing, put the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. Also, make sure your baking sheet is not too warm. A cold baking sheet helps keep the cookies in shape. Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. When ready, bake straight from the fridge or thaw before baking. To reheat cookies, use an oven set at 300°F (150°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This keeps them soft and chewy. You can also microwave them for 10-15 seconds if you want a quick fix. In this post, we covered key ingredients for delicious cookies, from butter to chocolate chips. I shared steps for mixing and baking, along with tips for perfect texture and flavor. You learned variations to try and smart storage methods to keep your cookies fresh. With these insights, you can bake cookies that impress and delight. Enjoy making your treats, and share them with friends and family!

Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies

Delicious cookies combining chocolate chips and pretzel pieces for a sweet and salty treat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3.75 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
  • 1 cup pretzel pieces, coarsely crushed
  • 0.5 cup coarse sea salt (for topping)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips and coarsely crushed pretzel pieces, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Before baking, sprinkle a small pinch of coarse sea salt on top of each cookie dough ball.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still slightly soft.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Arrange the cookies on a colorful platter and drizzle some melted chocolate over the top for an elegant touch. Garnish with a few whole pretzels for added flair.
Keyword chocolate chip, cookies, dessert, pretzel