If you’re searching for the best chocolate cookie recipe—one that’s intensely rich, perfectly chewy, deeply fudgy, and finished with a kiss of flaky sea salt—you’ve just found it. These Fudgy Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies are everything a chocolate lover dreams of: soft centers, crackled tops, bold cocoa flavor, and that magical sweet-salty balance that keeps you reaching for “just one more.”

This recipe is designed for home bakers who want bakery-style results without complicated steps. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a weekend treat, or simply because chocolate is calling your name, these salted chocolate cookies deliver every single time.

Let’s dive into what makes these cookies unforgettable—and how you can make them perfectly in your own kitchen.

Why These Cookies Are So Irresistible

There are thousands of chocolate cookie recipes online, but very few nail the holy trinity of fudgy texture, chewy bite, and deep chocolate flavor. This recipe does exactly that by using:

• Melted dark chocolate + cocoa powder for double chocolate intensity
• Brown sugar for moisture and chew
• A touch of espresso powder to amplify cocoa flavor
• Flaky sea salt to balance sweetness

The result? Cookies that taste like the inside of a brownie but behave like the perfect cookie.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup dark chocolate, melted
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp espresso powder (optional but recommended)
1½ cups dark chocolate chunks or chips
Flaky sea salt, for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla and melted dark chocolate.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder.
Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
Stir in dark chocolate chunks.
Scoop dough into balls and place 2½ inches apart on baking sheets.
Sprinkle tops lightly with flaky sea salt.
Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft.
Cool on pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

Pro Tips for Perfect Fudgy Cookies

• Don’t overbake — they firm up as they cool
• Use high-quality dark chocolate (70% cacao works best)
• Chill dough 30 minutes for thicker cookies
• Always finish with flaky salt

Variations

• Add chopped walnuts or pecans
• Swirl in peanut butter
• Use white chocolate chunks
• Make sandwich cookies with ganache

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with milk, espresso, or vanilla ice cream. These cookies also freeze beautifully!

Fun Chocolate Cookie Facts

• Salt enhances chocolate flavor dramatically
• Cocoa + espresso is a classic pastry chef trick
• Brown sugar creates chewiness

If you’ve been looking for chewy chocolate cookies, fudgy dark chocolate cookies, or the best homemade chocolate cookie recipe, this is the one to bookmark forever.