Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

The Ultimate Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Barefoot contessa salty oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies represent the ultimate indulgence for serious dessert enthusiasts.

Sweet meets savory in this irresistible combination that promises pure culinary magic.

Sophisticated bakers know the secret to extraordinary treats lies in unexpected flavor contrasts.

These cookies transform humble ingredients into something extraordinary through careful balance and technique.

Professional home cooks appreciate recipes that elevate everyday ingredients into memorable experiences.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures that dance across your palate.

Salt crystals create surprising depth, while chocolate chunks melt luxuriously against tender oatmeal base.

Your next baking adventure awaits with this game-changing recipe, get ready to impress!

Unique Twists on Classic Chunky Oatmeal Cookies

  • Nutty Chocolate Clusters: Replace cranberries with chopped pecans and add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate after baking for extra richness and crunch.
  • Mediterranean Fruit Fusion: Swap cranberries for chopped dried apricots and sprinkle ground cinnamon into the dry ingredients for a warm, exotic flavor profile.
  • Tropical Paradise Cookies: Substitute cranberries with toasted coconut flakes and mix in white chocolate chunks to create a vacation-inspired sweet treat.
  • Spiced Caramel Crunch: Incorporate crushed toffee bits instead of cranberries and dust cookies with a light sprinkle of sea salt caramel powder before baking for an indulgent finish.

Barefoot Contessa’s salty oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies showcase culinary magic with their perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Classic comfort meets gourmet sophistication in these irresistible treats.

Chocolate chunks melt into rich, buttery dough while cranberries add surprising tartness.

Fleur de sel elevates each bite with delicate mineral notes that dance across taste buds.

Crisp edges and tender centers create an addictive texture that promises pure indulgence.

Passionate bakers and cookie enthusiasts: share these delectable morsels, spread the recipe’s deliciousness across social media, and let fellow food lovers marvel at your baking prowess.

Discover the Irresistible Charm of Salty Oatmeal Cookies

Discover the Irresistible Charm of Salty Oatmeal Cookies
  • Indulge in Sweet-Salty Perfection: These cookies deliver an incredible flavor explosion by combining rich chocolate chunks with a delicate sprinkle of fleur de sel, creating a sophisticated twist on classic oatmeal cookies that dance between sweet and savory.
  • Master Bakery-Level Texture: The carefully crafted method ensures each cookie has a perfectly crisp exterior with a soft, chewy centre, delivering a professional-quality texture that makes homemade baking feel like a gourmet experience.
  • Quick Weeknight Dessert Delight: With just 25 minutes from start to finish, these cookies offer a speedy solution for sudden dessert cravings, making them ideal for busy home bakers who want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: The versatile recipe allows easy modifications like swapping cranberries for different dried fruits or adjusting chocolate types, making it perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cookie dough together, choose unbleached flour for best results.
  • Rolled Oats: Adds hearty texture and nutty flavor, old-fashioned oats work best for classic chewy cookies.
  • Bicarbonate of Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, essential for achieving the perfect cookie texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender base with deep flavor, room temperature butter ensures smooth mixing.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to soft, chewy texture, use light brown sugar for classic taste.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture, use large eggs at room temperature for best incorporation.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm flavor, pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.
Mix-Ins and Finishing:
  • Chocolate Chunks, Dried Cranberries: Add bursts of flavor and texture, use high-quality chocolate for best results.
  • Fleur de Sel: Provides elegant salty finish, sprinkle sparingly for perfect sweet-salty balance.

A Stepwise Journey to Baking Perfect Oatmeal Cookies

A Stepwise Journey to Baking Perfect Oatmeal Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab your baking sheets and cover them with parchment paper. Warm up the oven to a cozy 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Whip Up Butter Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Softened butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar

Whip these ingredients until they become fluffy and light, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure everything mixes perfectly.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid Ingredients

Splash in vanilla extract, then gently add eggs one at a time. Mix slowly and scrape the bowl again to create a smooth, creamy base.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Stir in rolled oats until well incorporated.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Elements

Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 6: Enhance with Delicious Chunks

Fold in chocolate chunks and cranberries using a spatula. Ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 7: Form Cookie Rounds

Use an ice cream scoop or two spoons to create rounded dough balls. Place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Step 8: Sprinkle Magic

Dust each cookie dough ball with a delicate pinch of fleur de sel for an extraordinary flavor burst.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the trays into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden but centers remain soft.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature for maximum deliciousness.

Baker Secrets for Ultimate Chocolate Chunk Goodness

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Slice cold butter into small cubes and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to reach the ideal creamy consistency.
  • Customize Chocolate Chunks: Chop high-quality chocolate bars instead of using chips for uneven, rustic chunks that melt more dramatically in each bite.
  • Control Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made every single time.
  • Create Bakery-Style Texture: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top just before baking to enhance the chocolate's richness and add a gourmet touch.
  • Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Smart Ways to Keep Your Cookies Fresh

  • Refrigerate: Seal cookies in an airtight glass container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Separate each cookie layer carefully to maintain their delicate chocolate chunks and crisp edges. This method preserves their incredible texture and rich flavor for maximum enjoyment.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Stack cookies horizontally to prevent crumbling and protect their shape. Frozen cookies retain their delicious taste for up to 3 months, offering a sweet treat whenever cravings strike.
  • Restore Freshness: Revive slightly hardened cookies by adding a slice of bread to the storage container. The bread's moisture will soften the cookies overnight, bringing back their original soft and chewy texture. Remove bread before serving to ensure perfect cookie consistency.
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Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Barefoot Contessa salty oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies blend sweet and savory in a perfect culinary harmony. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and rich chocolate create an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 225 grams (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 340 grams (12 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chunks
  • 220 grams (1 ¾ cups) plain flour (all-purpose flour)
  • 110 grams (1 cup) old-fashioned oats
  • 90 grams (⅔ cup) dried cranberries

Sweeteners:

  • 150 grams (¾ cup) light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 150 grams (¾ cup) granulated sugar

Seasonings and Leavening:

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fleur de sel, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 190°C (375°F) and carefully lining three baking trays with parchment paper, ensuring even coverage.
  2. Create a creamy base by vigorously beating butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl for approximately 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light, airy, and significantly increased in volume.
  3. Introduce flavoring by incorporating vanilla extract on low speed, then gently integrate eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing between each addition and scraping down the bowl’s sides to ensure uniform consistency.
  4. Develop the dry ingredient mixture by meticulously sifting flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt into a separate bowl, then carefully fold in the oats, creating a well-integrated dry component.
  5. Merge wet and dry ingredients by gradually incorporating the dry mixture into the butter blend using low-speed mixing, stopping immediately once ingredients are just combined to prevent overmixing.
  6. Enhance cookie texture by delicately folding chocolate chunks and cranberries throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution of mix-ins.
  7. Form cookie portions using a 4.5cm (1¾-inch) ice cream scoop or two spoons, strategically placing dough balls 5cm (2 inches) apart on prepared trays to allow proper spreading during baking.
  8. Elevate flavor profile by sprinkling a delicate pinch of fleur de sel atop each unbaked cookie, adding a subtle mineral complexity.
  9. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior while maintaining a soft, slightly tender center.
  10. Complete the process by allowing cookies to rest on the baking tray for 5 minutes, then carefully transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling, serving either warm or at ambient temperature.

Notes

  • Cold butter creates dense, tough cookies that lack the perfect soft texture.
  • Scooping flour directly from the bag compresses it, leading to dry, crumbly results.
  • Overmixing the dough develops gluten, making cookies tough and less tender.
  • Fresh ingredients guarantee the most delicious and vibrant flavor profile.
  • Rotating the baking sheet halfway through ensures even golden-brown edges.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 206
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 29g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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