Irresistible Chocolate Chip Dough Twists

These scrumptious chocolate chip dough twists put a fun spin on traditional cookie dough, creating playful, hand-twisted goodies that everyone will go crazy for. Both kids and grown-ups will fall in love with these tasty treats that bring the beloved chocolate chip cookie flavor in a whole new shape, making them perfect for snacking after school or enjoying as a laid-back dessert.

I came up with these twists during a stormy weekend with my nieces and nephews. What began as a way to keep the kids busy turned into our favorite family baking tradition. The little ones love making their own twisted designs, and I can't get enough of watching them smile while they work.

What You'll Need

• All purpose flour: gives these twists their solid base and structure
• Unsalted butter: make sure it's soft before mixing with the sugars
• Brown sugar: gives a wonderful caramel-like flavor and keeps twists soft
• Granulated sugar: works with brown sugar to create nice crispy edges
• Milk: adds the right amount of wetness so dough can be twisted easily
• Vanilla extract: makes all other flavors taste better, especially the chocolate
• Baking soda: helps them rise just enough without getting too puffy
• Salt: cuts through sweetness and brings out chocolate flavors
• Chocolate chips: semisweet works best for a balanced taste in the twists

How To Make These Twists

Get The Oven Ready:

Set your oven to 350°F and put parchment on your baking sheet. This helps them cook evenly and stops them from sticking, plus makes cleanup super easy.

Mix Butter And Sugars:

Beat your soft butter with both sugars until it looks pale and fluffy, roughly 2 minutes. This puts air in the dough so your twists have great texture.

Mix In Wet Stuff:

Add milk and vanilla, then stir until everything's combined. Don't worry if it looks a bit lumpy or separated at this point.

Mix Dry Items:

In another bowl, stir flour, baking soda, and salt together so the rising agent gets spread out evenly through the dough.

Mix Everything:

Slowly add your dry mix to the wet mix, stirring gently just until you can't see any flour. Don't stir too much or your twists will end up tough.

Throw In Chocolate:

Use a spatula to gently fold chocolate chips into your dough. Go easy so you don't break the chips apart.

Make Your Twists:

Roll small bits of dough into 5-inch strings. Fold each one and twist the ends together. Try different twisting styles and have fun with it.

Put On Tray:

Set your dough twists on the lined baking sheet, keeping about 2 inches between them because they'll spread while baking.

Bake Them:

Pop them in the hot oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges look golden but the middles still seem a bit soft. They'll keep cooking on the hot tray after you take them out.

Let Them Rest:

Let the twists sit on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This rest time helps them firm up enough to handle.

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The best thing about making these is seeing how everyone creates their own unique shapes. Once my nephew twisted his dough into something that looked just like our family dog, and we still call it the "puppy cookie" whenever we talk about it. Our kitchen just feels so happy when we're all making these together.

Keeping Them Fresh

These chocolate chip twists keep amazingly well. Just put them in a sealed container at room temp with a slice of bread to keep them moist. They'll stay yummy for about 5 days, though at my house they never last nearly that long! If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the baked twists in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you want one, just let it sit out for an hour or zap it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and it'll taste almost freshly baked.

Different Flavors To Try

The classic chocolate chip version is always popular, but you can easily switch things up. Try adding a bit of cinnamon for a warm, spicy kick, or swap in white chocolate chips with some dried cranberries for a sweet-tart combo. I really love mixing in some toffee bits with the chocolate chips for an amazing caramel flavor. And for serious chocolate fans, take out 2 tablespoons of flour and add cocoa powder instead to make super rich double chocolate twists.

Ways To Enjoy Them

These twists taste amazing when they're still a little warm and the chocolate chips are all melty. For a fancy dessert, put a couple warm twists in a bowl with some vanilla ice cream and drizzle caramel sauce on top. They're also great with cold milk or hot coffee in the morning. When you're having people over for holidays, set out a big plate of twists with fresh berries and whipped cream on the side so everyone can fix their own special treat.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make these dough twists ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can get the dough ready up to 24 hours early and keep it wrapped in the fridge. Allow it to warm up for around 30 minutes before forming into twists. You can also pop shaped unbaked twists in the freezer for up to 3 months - just cook them a bit longer by adding 2-3 minutes when baking from frozen.

→ What other mix-ins work well with these twists?

These twists work with so many add-ins! Consider butterscotch pieces, crushed nuts, toffee chunks, or a swirl of cinnamon and sugar. White chocolate bits with dried cranberries make a nice Christmas version. For something less sweet, cut back on sugar and throw in herbs, cheese, and sprinkle coarse salt on top.

→ How do I shape the perfect twist?

Form the dough into strips about 6-8 inches long and ½ inch thick. Bend each strip in half, then wind the two pieces around each other 3-4 times. Squeeze the tips together gently so they don't come apart while baking. For fancier looks, try weaving three pieces together or shaping them like pretzels.

→ Why did my twists spread too much during baking?

When twists flatten out too much, your dough might be too warm or you might have too much butter compared to flour. Cool the formed twists for 15-20 minutes before baking to help them stay shaped. And make sure your butter isn't melted - just softened. Melted butter makes cookies spread more.

→ How should I store leftover chocolate chip twists?

Keep cooled twists in a sealed container at room temp for up to 4 days. To keep them soft, toss in a slice of bread with them. If you need them to last longer, freeze baked twists for up to 3 months and let them sit out for about an hour before eating.

→ Can I make these twists without dairy?

Sure, you can swap the butter with vegan butter options and use plant milk like almond, soy, or oat milk. Just don't forget to grab dairy-free chocolate chips too. They might feel a bit different in your mouth, but they'll still taste great!