This Is the “Greatest Recipe” Reddit Has Ever Come Across

In my nearly 40 years of eating cookies, I’ve realized something: There’s almost no bad way to make chocolate chip cookies. Yes, some may like them crunchy, while others prefer chewy ones, but for the most part, any kind of chocolate chip cookie—fancy, weird, simple, whatever—is welcome on my plate.

So, when I saw a recipe for something called Chicago Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies on Instagram and realized I had all the ingredients I needed to make them, it felt like a sign from the universe. I immediately gave the recipe a try, and they’re a new favorite.

What Are Chicago Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies?

This cookie recipe comes from Reddit (and according to the original poster, either Woman’s Day or Family Circle magazine before that), and though I have yet to find a good explanation of the cookie’s Chicagoland origins, it’s essentially a chocolate chip cookie made with both butter and oil, plus a combination of oats and cornflakes for crunch.

The post generated a lot of enthusiasm from other Reddit users who were familiar with the cookie. One user said, “Oh my god, my grandmother used to make something like this and they were my favorite thing ever.”

Chicago Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies are light, airy, and a little cakey inside—the total opposite of the flat, chewy chocolate chip cookies my husband prefers. But I found myself drawn to them after making the first batch and was surprised at how quickly they disappeared. The combination of fats and the inclusion of cornflakes gives them a sort of Milk Bar vibe, which I enjoy. The crunch from the cereal and oats is notable, but not overwhelming. In fact, I might try making them with double the cornflakes and no oats, as the cereal gave the cookies a more satisfying crispy crunch.

How To Make Chicago Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a pretty straightforward chocolate chip cookie recipe that starts with creaming the butter with granulated and brown sugar. Then you add an egg, a splash of milk, and some vanilla. Mix to combine fully, and add a sifted mixture of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Things get a little different from here. The recipe calls for alternating additions of vegetable oil and oats, cornflakes, and chocolate chips.

The cookie dough doesn’t require or even particularly benefit from chilling time, which is great for when you need a cookie in a hurry. Simply scoop them into two tablespoon-sized mounds and bake for about 12 to 13 minutes at 350°F. They should be set but not brown on the bottom. They’re ready to eat as soon as they’ve had a couple of minutes to cool on a baking rack.

Tips for Making Chicago Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies

The cookies aren’t difficult to make, but I do have a few extra tips now that I’ve given the recipe a try:

• Resist the urge to form the cookies into balls before baking. The craggy bits you get when you treat them like drop cookies are the best part.
• You could easily add nuts, like walnuts, or M&Ms for another layer of crunch.
• Don’t overbake, or these cookies will be a little too dry. Check them at 10 minutes. You may need another two or three minutes at most, but make sure they don’t brown on the bottom.