Put a huge smile on everyone’s face with these Smiley Face Chocolate Chip Cookies. These thick, soft, bakery-style cookies have crisp golden edges, irresistibly chewy centers, and plenty of melty chocolate chips. The playful candy eyes turn a classic chocolate chip cookie into an adorable dessert that’s perfect for family gatherings, parties, bake sales, or anytime you want to bring a little extra joy to the table.
It’s hard not to smile when you’re faced with a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies… especially when they’re smiling right back at you.
There’s just something about these Smiley Face Chocolate Chip Cookies that melts my heart.
I brought a batch to a family dinner along with several other desserts, and they were the first treats to disappear. That really didn’t surprise me, though. These cookies are made using the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I’ve ever tried—one from Cook’s Illustrated that produces thick, bakery-style cookies with incredible flavor and texture.
There are so many different styles of chocolate chip cookies out there—from thin and crispy to soft and cakey to extra gooey in the middle. Honestly, I’d never turn down any of them. But my personal favorite will always be these bakery-style cookies.
They bake up beautifully with crisp edges, soft chewy centers, and a rich buttery flavor with subtle hints of caramel. And when they’re still slightly warm from the oven, the chocolate chips melt into the most wonderful pockets of chocolate.
My family would have been perfectly happy with plain chocolate chip cookies, and they definitely would have devoured them just the same. But I do think these smiling cookies helped brighten the mood at the table just a little bit more.
For this batch, I made extra-large cookies and used jumbo ¾-inch candy eyes to create the faces. You can absolutely make your cookies smaller and use mini candy eyes if you prefer. But there’s something especially fun about serving one big smiling cookie for dessert.
Because really… who wouldn’t smile back?
Tips for Making the Best Smiley Face Chocolate Chip Cookies
Don’t overbake the cookies.
For soft, chewy cookies, remove them from the oven when the edges are golden, but the centers still look slightly underbaked. They will continue to set as they cool.
Use large scoops for bakery-style cookies.
A large cookie scoop helps create thick cookies with soft centers and crisp edges.
Space cookies well on the baking sheet.
Large cookies need room to spread. Leave at least 3 inches between each scoop of dough.
Use good-quality chocolate chips.
The chocolate flavor really shines in these cookies, so using a high-quality brand makes a noticeable difference.
Add the smiles after baking.
You can draw the smiles with melted chocolate, chocolate frosting, or even a small tube of decorating icing.
Supplies
Items used to create this project are available on Amazon.com (commission earned for sales)
Wilton Candy Eyeballs, Grea...Shop on Amazon
White And Black ½-Inch Ca...Shop on Amazon
How to decorate Smiley Face Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Attach two candy eyes to each cookie using melted confectionery coating.
- Pour the remaining coating into a squeeze bottle or small zip-top bag.
- Pipe smiles onto cookies.
- Let the candy coating harden.
These really aren't much more work than plain cookies, and they look so adorably cute.
Related Recipes
If you liked this Kid's Recipe, then be sure to check out these other fascinating recipes that your little ones will love!
Recipe
Take a delicious chocolate chip cookie to the next level and add a cute smile to it!
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (170 grams), softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (208 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 ⅛ cup all purpose flour (272 grams), unbleached is best
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 12 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (340 grams)
- 36 Jumbo Candy Eyes
- 4 ounces dark confectionery coating (113 grams), melted
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Cream butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar and beat on medium speed for about a minute until well blended. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and beat until fully incorporated.
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Mix flour, salt, and baking soda together then incorporate it into the wet ingredients.
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Fold chocolate chips into the batter.
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Scoop out 16-18 cookies, about ¼ cup of dough for each. Place cookies on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
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Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Bake cookies one tray at a time, for 12-16 minutes. The cookies should begin to set around the edges, be light golden brown, yet still be soft in the center.
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Allow cookies to cool completely.
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Attach two candy eyes to each cookie using melted confectionery coating.
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Pour remaining coating into a squeeze bottle or small zip top bag.
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Pipe smiles onto cookies. Let the candy coating harden.
Store your chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
You can bake and then freeze these cookies for up to 3 months, but do not decorate them first. Decorate them once the cookies have thawed.
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Erica Loop says
These are adorable! Can't wait to make them. Great photo!
Melinda @Home.Made.Interest. says
Stopping by from Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday link party. These are so cute! I need to make them for my son's class asap! Thanks for sharing. Pinning 🙂
beth says
Thanks for stopping by Melinda. Have fun baking:)
Anonymous says
No! When i took the cookies out of the oven they were melted like a big thin surface :/. (And wasn't because of baking powder).
beth says
I just rechecked my recipe to make sure it was correct, and it is, so I have no idea what would have caused that. My cookies always turn out really thick using this recipe. I hope you give them another try. The recipe really does make the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had .
Anonymous says
I loved your cookie idea and tried to do them and they all just melted!!! 🙁 And i have no idea why!
beth says
What melted? You need to allow the cookies to cool completely before piping on the smiles? If they melted then your cookies were still too warm.
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets says
Oh my goodness..these are awesome! The cute factor is off the charts..plus the fact that they are so easy to decorate just make them extra sweet in my book.
Many times I struggle (and fail) to get that all important great shot for my post. Every one of your photos here are really great!
beth says
Thanks, Karen. I too struggle with photography. Some things are easier to capture on film than others and I love when I can get nice pictures without a lot of effort.
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says
Chocolate chip cookies make me smile ... eyeballs make me laugh ... these must be the happiest cookies ever 🙂
Lauren Brown says
These are so adorable! My kiddos would LOVE them. I'd be thrilled if you'd link up at this week's Off the Hook!
www.farmhousestyleliving.blogspot.com says
Those are so cute! As soon as my kitchen is done I am making these! They remind me of cookie monster. Love that you put a extra little something into an old favorite.
Alexis Middleton says
These are so, so cute, Beth! I love how fun they are but still pretty simple to put together. And as much as I love all kinds of treats, there really is just something about a good chocolate chip cookie, isn't there? It's tough to beat. Thanks so much for linking up at The Makers!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says
Beth, these are the cutest chocolate chip cookies EVER! So creative, pinning!
Kyra says
These are too cute - saw them at Two Cup Tuesday! Got them pinned!
Kyra @ Caramel Potatoes
beth says
Thanks for stopping by and for pinning:)
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
I have to say, these are absolutely perfect:@)
KathyA. says
I just ordered some of these candy eyes from your Amazon link. Love this idea!! Thanks so much for sharing.
beth says
The jumbo eyes are so much fun. This is the first time I've used them, but plan to use them a lot from now on. Thanks for using the link to make your purchase:)
The Partiologist says
I haven't had a chocolate chip cookie in such a long time I want one now with a smiley face! 🙂
Sue says
Beth, You've done it again! These cookies are so cute, simple and fun! Love them! Time to share on fb and share on Pinterest:)
beth says
Thanks for sharing, Sue:)
Anonymous says
Lol, those are too cute! They made me so smile as soon as I came onto your website! Such a simple but inventive idea, love it.
beth says
I'm happy to hear these cookies made you smile. That is their job:)
Anonymous says
Love it! Now I know what to make for my kids teachers to hand out on the last day of school 🙂
beth says
Oh, great idea. I'm pretty sure teachers everywhere would enjoy a nice smiley face chocolate chip cookie on the last day of school.
Project Denneler says
Oh Beth… these made my Monday. (And it's only 8:32 a.m!) Adorable.
beth says
I'm happy to help start Monday off on the right foot!
Lisa@hooplapalooza says
GAAAAHHHHH! i LOVE them Beth!! absolutely and undeniably! :>D!
beth says
It's fun to do something so easy that turns out so cute. You and I both know how much work goes into a lot of our edible crafts, but this one couldn't be simpler.
Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com says
These are so perfect...such a great idea Beth!!
beth says
Thanks for sharing with your followers, Jill!