If you’ve ever ordered a combo from Hardee’s just for that warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie at the end—you’re not alone! These cookies are soft in the middle, slightly crispy on the edges, and packed with melty chocolate chips. Now you can skip the drive-thru and make them right at home with pantry ingredients and simple steps!
These copycat Hardee’s chocolate chip cookies are everything you love about the drive-thru classic—soft, buttery centers, golden crispy edges, and loaded with melty chocolate chips.
They’re quick to whip up using pantry staples and bake in under 15 minutes, making them perfect for after-school treats, bake sales, or a cozy night in.
If you’ve ever grabbed a combo meal just for the cookie, this homemade version is going to be your new favorite!
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Soft and chewy – Just like the ones from Hardee’s, these cookies are buttery, soft-centered, and golden around the edges.
- Quick to make – Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Simple ingredients – Nothing fancy, just pantry staples and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Freezer-friendly – Freeze dough balls for easy cookies anytime!
- Copycat flavor – That same nostalgic bakery-style bite with homemade love.
Hardee Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ingredients
- Unsalted butter – Softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- Brown sugar – Adds moisture and that classic chewy texture.
- Granulated sugar – For just the right amount of crisp on the edges.
- Eggs – Bind everything and help the cookies stay soft.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and flavor depth.
- All-purpose flour – The base for soft, chewy cookies.
- Baking soda – Gives lift and helps with browning.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – The melty star of the show!
How To Make Hardee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 5: Scoop dough into rounded tablespoons and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. For bakery-style cookies, chill the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking.
Step 6: Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look just set. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Hardee Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Tips
- Use room temperature butter for the best creaming texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added—this keeps the cookies soft.
- Chill the dough for a thicker, chewier cookie.
- Underbake slightly—they’ll continue to cook as they cool!
Storing & Freezing Instructions
- Storing: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Freeze dough by scooping onto a tray, freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
What to Serve With Hardee’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are delicious on their own, but even better with: A glass of cold milk or warm hot chocolate, Ice cream for the ultimate cookie sundae, or crumbled on top of yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet crunch.
Hardee Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Faqs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted? Yes! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon to balance the flavor.
Do I need to chill the dough? Chilling the dough isn’t required, but it helps the cookies hold their shape and gives you a thicker, chewier texture.
Can I freeze the cookie dough? Absolutely! Scoop dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then store in a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two.
What kind of chocolate chips should I use? Semi-sweet chocolate chips work best for that classic Hardee’s flavor, but feel free to use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even chocolate chunks!
How do I keep the cookies soft? Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread—it helps retain moisture and keeps the cookies soft for days.
Can I make them gluten-free? Yes, just use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend designed for baking. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
More Copycat Hardee Recipes
Air Fryer Hardee’s Big Hot Ham N’ Cheese
Hardee’s Apple Turnovers Recipe
Better Than Hardee’s Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits Recipe
Copycat Hardee’s Mushroom Swiss Burger Recipe
Don’t Forget To Pin!
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Hardee Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly combine with wet mixture.
- Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop dough and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
- Bake 9–11 minutes until golden around edges. Cool on pan 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
- Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container.
Equipment
- Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition
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