How do I get this look?

[depot]

I'm trying to achieve the LOOKS of the cookies shown in the first two attached pictures. They are the most beautiful cookies I have every seen. Specifically, what I want are:
1) The smoothness of the surface
2) I'm not sure how to describe this, but there seems to be a shininess or glossiness to it, just slightly.
3) The shape/layering of the cookie?? It reminds me of a sand drip castle: https://www.wired.com/2011/10/fun-at-the-beach-drip-castles/
Overall... it looks like they form small chunks of cookie dough, then place them on top of each other into a ball shape, and let it do its magic when it bakes. I don't know, I'm really stumped.

I'm a beginning baker and the last picture is what my cookies look like. This is the recipe I'm using, but I decreased the size to make it more in line with the dream cookie. https://www.modernhoney.com/levain-bakery-chocolate-chip-crush-cookies/

What can I do to my cookies to make them look more like the ones I have attached?

 

[Isabella]

I’m no expert either, but it seems to me that you should try using more flour and baking soda so that your cookies will be taller and chunkier. As well, try not flattening them as much before placing them in the oven.

The trick is to play around with the ingredients and discover what amount of everything works for you! Nobody’s first few batches are ever perfect!

 

[retired baker]

I'm trying to achieve the LOOKS of the cookies shown in the first two attached pictures. They are the most beautiful cookies I have every seen. Specifically, what I want are:
1) The smoothness of the surface
2) I'm not sure how to describe this, but there seems to be a shininess or glossiness to it, just slightly.
3) The shape/layering of the cookie?? It reminds me of a sand drip castle: https://www.wired.com/2011/10/fun-at-the-beach-drip-castles/
Overall... it looks like they form small chunks of cookie dough, then place them on top of each other into a ball shape, and let it do its magic when it bakes. I don't know, I'm really stumped.

I'm a beginning baker and the last picture is what my cookies look like. This is the recipe I'm using, but I decreased the size to make it more in line with the dream cookie. https://www.modernhoney.com/levain-bakery-chocolate-chip-crush-cookies/

What can I do to my cookies to make them look more like the ones I have attached?

They are machine deposited, frozen as slugs and sold frozen by the case.
Supermkts place and bake.
They are baked at high temps, notice the slight toasting.
Shortening based, low quality mass produced.

 

[depot]

I’m no expert either, but it seems to me that you should try using more flour and baking soda so that your cookies will be taller and chunkier. As well, try not flattening them as much before placing them in the oven.

The trick is to play around with the ingredients and discover what amount of everything works for you! Nobody’s first few batches are ever perfect!

Yep I've been testing a lot, and your answer was spot on.

 

[depot]

They are machine deposited, frozen as slugs and sold frozen by the case.
Supermkts place and bake.
They are baked at high temps, notice the slight toasting.
Shortening based, low quality mass produced.

I'm not sure what makes you say that, because those cookies are definitely made fresh daily.

 

[retired baker]

I'm not sure what makes you say that, because those cookies are definitely made fresh daily.

50 years of high production commercial experience, they are pulled from the freezer and baked....fresh daily.

they are 100% made with veg shortening shortening, there is no butter in frozen cookies sold by the case.
You'd be shocked at how many bakeries are using them.