If you’re looking for the best Chocolate Chip Cookies, this recipe is the answer. No crazy ingredients, no chilling the dough. Just a delicious cookie that is crunchy on the outside, and chewy and soft in the center!
Be sure to give my Rice Krispie Treat recipe a try if you’re looking for another PERFECT dessert idea! Use this homemade cookie dough to make Oreo Stuffed Cookies!
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Every household should have the best chocolate chip cookie recipe somewhere in their recipe box.
Whether you love Toll House chocolate chip cookies or Doubletree cookies, you need to decide which cookie team you’re on.
The only way to learn is to keep on baking. Trial and error.
That’s exactly how I created these gooey chocolate chip cookies. Testing if I should use Crisco or butter, melted or softened, etc etc etc.
These homemade chocolate chip cookies have the perfect texture. With a crispy outer coating and chewy center, I have found MY perfect cookie.
Take these cookies a step further and dunk them in chocolate, like I did with these Double Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Everyone has a favorite cookie, here’s why these are the best:
- Chilling the dough is optional!
- One bowl (no mixing dry ingredients first in a separate bowl)
- Bursting with chocolate chips!
- BIG cookies!
Using this favorite chocolate chip cookie dough, I added some freeze dried strawberries to make a new version. My strawberry chocolate chip cookies are a huge hit and ready in minutes!
Be sure to try my chocolate chip cookie cups in a muffin tin next! Stuffed with your favorite candies.
And of course, during the Fall, try these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredient Notes
Scroll down to the recipe card to get the full ingredient list for my chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe.
- Butter– I use unsalted butter in this cookie recipe, but you can swap for salted butter. I actually LOVE chocolate chip cookies with that extra salt! Use my guide on how to soften butter quickly.
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar– a combo of brown and white sugar will give you the chewy texture you crave! Be sure to pack the light brown sugar (or dark brown sugar) into the measuring cup for best results.
- All-Purpose Flour– for best results, use my guide on how to measure flour. Too much flour will result in dense, hard cookies.
- Pure Vanilla Extract– Two big teaspoons of vanilla extract in my chocolate chip cookies. You’ll love the added flavor! Learn how to make vanilla extract at home with my simple recipe!
- Chocolate Chips- you’ll want to pack your cookies with chocolate! That’s what gives them their gooey chocolate flavor. I use semi-sweet morsels, but if you want to impress, use the mini size chips!
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep Pans- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
*Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for step by step instructions.
I use either the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, or a hand mixer to make my cookie dough.
Mix Wet Ingredients- In a large bowl, combine room temperature butter and sugars. Cream these together for about 2 minutes, until fully blended. Add in eggs and vanilla extract.
Add Dry ingredients- Add in flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Beat JUST until fully combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Bake- Using a 2 Tablespoon cookie scoop, drop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake chocolate chip cookies for 11-13 minutes. Remove when the outside is golden brown.
Remove from oven and allow to cool several minutes on cookie sheet. Remove and cool completely on wire rack. The size of the cookie scoop determines the number of cookies. I prefer these to be larger…which yields about 2 dozen perfect chocolate chip cookies.
Making the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Got flat cookies? Double check the expiration date of your baking soda. Baking soda and baking powder are not interchangable in this cookie recipe.
- Crisp edges- If you like your chocolate chip cookies a little crispier, add a few minutes to the bake time to get those crisp edges.
- Chill the dough. Nope, no need to chill the chocolate chip cookie dough today. However, you can make this cookie dough ahead of time and chill the dough for 24 hours if desired.
- Storage- Keep cooled choolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freeze- You can either freeze the cookie dough balls (using my guide on how to freeze cookie dough). Or freeze baked cookies in a freezer safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. The balls of dough can be baked from frozen, with several minutes being added to the baking time.
- Brown Butter- try my delicious browned butter chocolate chip cookies for a delicious, rich nutty flavor.
Mix-ins
Whether you like a classic chocolate chip cookie or one fully loaded, this basic cookie dough has lots of stability for all your favorite mix-ins.
- Morsels: swap out the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or anything in between.
- Candies: you can’t go wrong by adding some toffee bits, M&M’s, chopped rolos, peanut butter cups, or whatever candy you love to this cookie dough.
- Nuts: walnuts go great in these perfect chocolate chip cookies. You could also try macadamia nuts with white chocolate chips!
- Anything else? Add in craisins, raisins, shredded coconut. The sky is the limit here! A handful of colorful sprinkles for a festive party treat!
- Caramel- stuff these cookies with caramel like I did with my Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies!
More Easy Desserts
- Chocolate Pound Cake
- Peanut Butter Shortbread
- Pizookie
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
- Almond Bars
- Slutty Brownies
Love this easy chocolate chip cookie recipe? Please leave a comment and 5-star rating in the recipe card below!
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Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugars for about 2 minutes, until fully blended. Add in eggs and vanilla and beat until well mixed.
- Add in flour, salt, and baking soda. Beat JUST until fully combined. Fold in 2 cups chocolate chips.
- Using a 2 Tablespoon cookie scoop, drop onto parchment paper lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Press some of the reserved chocolate chips into the top of the cookies (I do about 7-8 chips).
- Bake for 11-13 minutes, until outside of cookie is lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool several minutes on baking sheet. Remove and cool completely on wire rack.
Notes
- Chilling the Dough- I love the texture and flavor when you chill the dough for 24 hours. HOWEVER, it’s not mandatory. Sometimes you just can’t plan that far in advance!
- The number of cookies is determined by the size scoop you use. If you prefer these to be larger, use a 3 Tablespoon scoop and bake for 13-15 minutes. You will get about 24 large cookies.
- Use my homemade vanilla extract recipe for delicious flavor!
- Store baked cookies in airtight container for up to one week.
- Freeze cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw on counter overnight.
I’m a better cook than I am a baker and this was super easy and omg heaven in your mouth! My 5 yr old approves!! Stop reading the comments and go make this!
Brown sugar makes cookies moister and chewier than does white sugar. That’s because it contains molasses (about 10 percent molasses for light brown sugar and 20 percent for dark brown sugar). The molasses adds moisture and, because it’s slightly acidic, causes the proteins in cookie dough to firm up faster, creating a chewier texture.
Spry was another brand of shortening. I remember because I am 92 years old!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I have a question first. After the cookies cool on the rack, what is the best storage method to keep them fresh and crispy on the outside?
I love chocolate chip cookies, and love looking for new recipes! Can’t wait to make these!
Ever since we moved, and baking in an electric oven now, my cookies are hard. I need to try this recipe for sure!
Nothing better then a hot chocolate chip cookie!
I am pretty sure there isn’t a better cookie than a Chocolate Chip Cookie! YUM! I am going to try this recipe! Thanks!