The one thing I am the most passionate about in life (sadly or sweetly?) is cookies…chocolate chip to be exact. It’s the one thing I am always in search for wherever I am living or traveling. They can be just as disappointing as rewarding and there really is an art to them depending on the ratio of sugar to butter, amount of salt, type, and even cut of chocolate. Just to get things straight, while I do love ice cream equally, it’s much harder to find a promising cookie. If not for anything, at least CVS and Whole Foods carry Talenti ice cream when you are desperate, but you can’t always count on finding a cookie. I am always in search of the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in Austin. I thought I found the best one I was ever going to find at the food truck Nuha’s Sinful Desserts on Barton Springs, but one week in July 2017, I did a taste test with 5 cookies side by side all in one day- actually all in one minute to find the best chocolate chip cookie available in this town (plate below). Now in 2020, I have a few more to add so I have updated the list. Here is my checklist: I look for a little sweetness and richness in the dough followed by melted chocolate chip that are spread out enough so that chocolate is in every bite but not the ONLY bite with softness or doughiness in the middle. Plus maybe a little crisp around the edges. I fooled myself with my findings, and I bet you will, too!
I will say because the BEST chocolate chip cookie pool is a little smaller in Austin, I did include a few cookies that have a little more than just chocolate chips in them to add more options to the gang.
#1 UNDERRATED Chocolate Chip Cookie in Austin is EPICERIE
It’s the biggest surprise to me, too! This is a restaurant and not even a dedicated cookie bakery. I can’t be the only cookie connoisseur in town, but I will say, I haven’t heard anyone talk about these cookies and they looked perfect upon arrival. A doughy rise right in the center that is higher than the rest of the cookie and full of melted chips through out each bite. It tastes more gourmet than a homemade cookie, and it’s a mix of little fluffy to a little crumbly ratio. Each pillowy bite is full of happiness and the only thing I could possibly alter would be to have the edges cooked one second longer. Other than that, I am sold on looks, taste, and performance! Another tip is to try their Sprinkle/ Funfetti looking sugar cookie. It’s the same consistency but without chocolate.
BEST SEA-SALT COOKIE: CARPENTERS HOTEL – HOT L COFFE SHOP
I’ve discovered that my favorite cookies always and must have sea salt sprinkled on top. It’s the golden ingredient. It just makes every bite that much better. This cookie is a little flatter than some of my usual gooey cookies, it has some crunch around the edges, and the chocolate is perfect. I talk about this cookie as soon as someone asks me where to go, and it’s in the hotel’s coffee shop.
BEST GOOEY COOKIE: THOROUGHBREAD
I love this tiny local bakery tucked away in Zilker. I’ll never forget my first bite of these cookies. I tried the Peanut Butter & Jelly, Banana Nutella, and Chocolate Chip after a boxing class and was in heaven. The thickness of the cookie mixed with the melted chocolate inside is a combination we can only dream of when searching for the best cookie. Every person I give these to loves it and everyone has a different favorite. The Banana Nutella is fascinating, but of course, I’m a classic chocolate chip lover. These are pretty dense, but so good you’ll fool yourself into thinking you can’t eat the whole thing in one sitting. (Pictured above and below) 
RELATED: My digital guidebook to all things Austin food, bakeries, and activities available HERE!
BEST GIANT COOKIE: HENBIT
This was the first “Levain Bakery” like cookie to hit the market in Austin a few years ago. I had been desperately waiting for a giant gooey cookie to be birthed here, and Chef Tavel did it! It’s nutty which I usually don’t love, but I can handle it for this big boy! Also, speaking of Levain, they are now selling their cookies in Central Market’s frozen section!
BEST GLUTEN-FREE & FARMER’S MARKET COOKIE: TEDDY V. PATISSERIE
I love how hard baker Elisia works and promotes her brand. She sells at the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller every Sunday. Her cookies are also gigantic like Henbit and ThoroughBread yet she is the only one that offers a gluten-free option. I think her chocolate is different though and that is what stands out to me! She is doing delivery now as well here.
BEST EVERYDAY COOKIE: TINY BOXWOOD
BEST FOOD TRUCK: NUHA’S SINFUL DESSERTS
MOST CREATIVE: KELLIE’S BAKING CO.
RELATED: Looking for more sweets? Best New York City Bakeries HERE.
JUNE’S ALL DAY
PAPER ROUTE BAKERY
