Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
There’s something truly magical about biting into a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie — that perfect harmony of buttery dough, melty pockets of chocolate, and just the right amount of chew. If you’re craving the ultimate homemade treat, you can’t go wrong with this classic recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies. Whether you’re a lifelong baker or just getting started, this crowd-pleaser brings comforting nostalgia and unbeatable flavor to your kitchen every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of great Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in their simplicity. Every ingredient plays an important role in creating the ultimate texture and flavor, so don’t underestimate the impact each one brings to the party!
- All-purpose flour: This forms the sturdy base of your cookies and gives them their classic shape.
- Baking soda: Provides the lift, keeping the cookies light instead of dense.
- Salt: A pinch amplifies the sweetness and deepens the chocolate flavor.
- Unsalted butter (softened): The source of that rich, melt-in-your-mouth happiness—so make sure it’s at room temperature!
- Granulated sugar: Gives crispiness around the edges and balances flavor.
- Packed brown sugar: Adds moisture for chewiness and a lovely hint of caramel.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and lend that irresistibly tender interior.
- Vanilla extract: Hints of vanilla boost the aroma and taste of every bite.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: The stars of the show—make sure you use good-quality chips for the gooey factor.
- Chopped nuts (optional): Walnuts or pecans add delightful crunch if you love a bit of texture.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Proper oven temperature is key! A hot oven ensures your Chocolate Chip Cookies set up quickly and don’t spread too much, so you get perfectly golden edges with soft, irresistible centers.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step evenly distributes the leavening and salt so your cookies bake up uniform and flavorful from the inside out. Set this bowl aside for just a moment.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed. Creaming until the mixture is fluffy takes just a couple of minutes and works to create air pockets, which makes the final cookies extra tender.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures the dough is silky and smooth. Now, stir in the vanilla extract for that subtle undertone that makes Chocolate Chip Cookies taste like pure heaven.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Resist the urge to overmix here—too much mixing can toughen your cookies.
Step 6: Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts
Using a spoon or spatula, gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts if you’re using them. This is the moment it really feels like cookie dough!
Step 7: Portion the Dough
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. For extra chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, chill the dough for about 30 minutes at this stage. It’s a handy tip if you have a little patience!
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft. The secret to that soft, bakery-style center is not overbaking!
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Waiting might be the hardest part, but it’s so worth it when you get that perfect texture.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
If you want to take your Chocolate Chip Cookies to the next level, try sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over them right after baking. It highlights the chocolate and adds a gourmet touch. You could also drizzle a bit of melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar for special occasions.
Side Dishes
The ultimate partner for a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie? A tall glass of cold milk, of course! For grown-ups, try serving with coffee or an espresso. If you’re hosting, pair with a simple vanilla ice cream for an instant dessert everyone will rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies high on a pretty cake stand, or pile them into a mason jar tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. Sandwich ice cream between two Chocolate Chip Cookies for an indulgent summer treat, or crumble them over your favorite sundae.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any remaining cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously soft for several days, so you can enjoy a sweet treat throughout the week!
Freezing
If you want to save some for longer, Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze beautifully. Simply place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls, then bake fresh cookies whenever you like—just add an extra minute or two of baking time.
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked magic, warm a cookie in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. It revives the gooey chocolate and soft texture, making your cookies taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
How do I make my Chocolate Chip Cookies chewier?
If you love a chewy texture, try chilling your dough before baking. Using more brown sugar than white sugar and slightly underbaking your cookies also helps achieve that irresistible chew.
Can I substitute the nuts with something else?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of nuts, simply leave them out, or swap in dried cranberries, toffee bits, or shredded coconut for a fun twist on classic Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?
Cookies that spread too thin are often a result of overly soft butter or too little flour. Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and double-check your flour measurement. Chilling the dough before baking also helps prevent spreading.
Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can use salted butter in a pinch, but reduce the added salt by about half to keep your Chocolate Chip Cookies perfectly balanced.
How can I make gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Simply substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. Keep an eye on the bake time, and know that the cookies might be a touch more delicate but just as tasty!
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason Chocolate Chip Cookies have stood the test of time—they’re the ultimate comfort food and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Give this recipe a try and let the warm, chocolaty aroma fill your kitchen. Happy baking!
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the classic goodness of homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies with this easy-to-follow recipe. These cookies are perfectly chewy with a crisp edge, loaded with chocolate chips and optional nuts for extra texture.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Dry Ingredients:
Wet Ingredients:
Mix Ins:
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
- Bake: Drop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden.
- Cool: Cool on sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the dough before baking results in extra chewy cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
