There’s something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookies wafting through your kitchen. This beloved treat combines tender centers with golden edges, studded with gooey chocolate and (if you’d like) crunchy walnuts. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just to brighten an ordinary day, these Chocolate Chip Cookies never fail to deliver comfort and joy in every bite.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe plays a role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and nostalgia. With a handful of simple staples, you’ll craft cookies that disappear in minutes!

All-purpose flour: The base that gives your cookies structure and helps them hold their chewy crispness.
Baking soda: For that irresistible lift and subtle tenderness in every bite.
Salt: A crucial touch to balance sweetness and enhance depth of flavor.
Unsalted butter (softened): Ensures richness and creates that beautiful melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Adds crispness to the edges and a light sweetness.
Brown sugar (packed): Infuses the cookies with moisture and caramel notes.
Vanilla extract: One teaspoon of aromatic warmth to round out all the flavors.
Large eggs: Fresh eggs bind everything together for that classic chew.
Semisweet chocolate chips: The star ingredient, providing pools of melty chocolate in every bite.
Chopped walnuts (optional): If you love a little crunch and a nutty accent, toss these in.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

First things first: set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the sweet spot for getting those cookies perfectly golden with a slightly gooey center. While the oven preheats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper if you want extra-easy cleanup, though it’s not essential for this recipe.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This not only ensures an even rise and taste but also means you won’t get any surprising salty or powdery pockets later on.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and creamy. This step is key—creaming introduces air, laying the foundation for fluffy, tender Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully blended before adding the next. This ensures your dough is smooth and cohesive, with just the right amount of richness.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the creamy butter base, mixing at a low speed. Take your time and avoid over-mixing so your cookies stay tender and soft in the center.

Step 6: Stir in Chocolate Chips and Nuts

Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and, if you’re feeling fancy, those chopped walnuts. Make sure every scoop of dough is brimming with chocolatey, nutty goodness!

Step 7: Portion and Bake

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look just slightly underdone—this is the secret to soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let your Chocolate Chip Cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to finish setting. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (though, who can resist sneaking one while still warm?).

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

A little finishing touch never hurts! Try sprinkling flaked sea salt on your warm cookies for the ultimate sweet-salty contrast, or dust them lightly with powdered sugar for extra charm and sweetness.

Side Dishes

What could be better than pairing your Chocolate Chip Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk? For grown-ups, serve them with a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or even alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent dessert duo.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your cookies in a glass jar with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift, or use them as an edible base for ice cream sandwiches at summer parties. You can also dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and add your favorite sprinkles for a festive twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Chocolate Chip Cookies are completely cooled, tuck them into an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to five days at room temperature—if they last that long!

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies or even the unbaked dough balls. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time for warm, just-out-of-the-oven perfection any day of the week.

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-baked magic, warm a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds. It’ll be just as gooey and satisfying as when it first came out of the oven.

FAQs

Why did my Chocolate Chip Cookies turn out too flat?

Flat cookies can be caused by butter that’s too soft or warm, or measuring flour inaccurately. Make sure your butter is just softened, and use the spoon-and-level method to measure flour for the right consistency every time!

Can I substitute the walnuts with something else?

Absolutely—pecans work beautifully, or you can leave out nuts entirely if you prefer a classic, pure Chocolate Chip Cookie. Some folks like to add shredded coconut or dried fruit for a twist!

Is it okay to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough, even for just 30 minutes, can make your Chocolate Chip Cookies thicker and intensify their flavor. It’s a great tip if you have a bit of extra time on your hands.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Simply swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. The cookies come out just as delicious, making this recipe flexible for everyone to enjoy.

What’s the best way to get perfectly round cookies?

Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough evenly, and if you want perfectly round cookies, gently swirl each cookie with the inside of a round cookie cutter while they’re hot out of the oven. It works like magic!

Final Thoughts

There you have it—a foolproof recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies that’s sure to win hearts and requests for seconds! Pour yourself some milk, invite your favorite people over, and get ready for smiles all around. Happy baking!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: About 36 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the classic comfort of homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies with this easy and delicious recipe. These cookies are perfect for any occasion and are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Mix-Ins:

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Combine and Bake: Gradually mix in the flour mixture until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts if using. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

For softer cookies, remove them from the oven when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
You can substitute the walnuts with pecans or omit them entirely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American