Name: Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, room temperature); ½ cup packed light brown sugar; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ¼ cup chocolate chips

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If you have a sweet tooth and crave that perfect balance of gooey, melty chocolate and soft, chewy texture, then this Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is going to become your new best friend. These cookies blend classic ingredients into a timeless treat that’s crispy on the edges yet tender in the center, offering that nostalgic warmth with every bite. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just sneaking a few for yourself, this recipe brings simplicity and soul to your kitchen.

Ingredients You'll Need

The image shows several clear glass bowls and one white bowl arranged on a white marbled surface. The largest clear glass bowl is filled with white flour and placed on the right side. Below it is a small clear bowl with white powder, likely baking soda or baking powder. To the left of these are two more clear glass bowls; one contains dark chocolate chips and the other has white granulated sugar. Near the top center is a single brown egg and to its left is a small white bowl filled with a dark amber liquid, likely vanilla extract. Near the center right is a small stick of pale yellow butter. A white bowl filled with light brown sugar is placed to the far right side. The setup is neat, organized, and ready for baking photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients list. Each component plays an essential role—providing flavor depth, texture contrast, and that irresistible golden hue you see on perfectly baked cookies.

Unsalted butter, ½ cup (1 stick), room temperature: Gives a rich, creamy base and helps create tender, buttery cookies.
Light brown sugar, ½ cup (packed): Adds moisture and a slight caramel undertone for chewiness.
Granulated sugar, ¼ cup: Helps achieve a crisp edge and balances sweetness.
Egg, 1 large: Binds the dough and contributes to a soft, cakey texture.
Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: Elevates the flavor with its warm, fragrant aroma.
All-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups: The structure builder that gives cookies their shape.
Baking powder, ½ teaspoon: Lightens the dough for a subtle lift.
Baking soda, ½ teaspoon: Reacts with the brown sugar to create chewy texture.
Salt, ¼ teaspoon: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors perfectly.
Chocolate chips, 1 ¼ cups: The star of the show—gooey pockets of chocolate that melt deliciously in each bite.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets

Begin by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This little step ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze and giving your cookies that nice, clean bottom.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together room temperature butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air to give your cookies a wonderful lift and tender crumb.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugars, mixing until everything is well incorporated. This combination adds moisture and flavor, binding the dough and enriching the overall taste.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender and soft, not tough.

Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold in those generous chocolate chips. This step ensures each cookie is bursting with gooey, melty chocolate—because what’s a chocolate chip cookie without chips?

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough using a medium spring-loaded cookie scoop, shape slightly, and place on the prepared baking sheets. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or even overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to intensify and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Space the chilled cookie dough about two inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers remain just a bit soft. This timing ensures the cookies hold their shape while offering that perfect chewy center.

Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying

Remove from the oven and let your cookies cool directly on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This gives them time to finish setting without losing the soft texture inside.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

The image shows twelve small, round balls of light brown cookie dough with dark chocolate chunks mixed in, evenly spaced in a 3 by 4 grid on a square sheet of parchment paper placed on a silver baking tray. The dough balls have a smooth, slightly uneven surface, with chocolate pieces visibly embedded throughout each one. The entire setup rests on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

While these cookies are irresistible on their own, adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top right before baking can beautifully enhance the chocolate’s richness and create a delightful sweet-salty contrast that will make your taste buds dance.

Side Dishes

Serve these Chocolate Chip Cookies alongside a cold glass of milk for a timeless classic combo, or pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert that’s sure to impress friends and family.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to make your cookie platter stand out? Stack your cookies with layers of parchment paper in a beautiful jar or tin. Or even use them to make mini ice cream sandwiches by sandwiching your favorite frozen treat right between two cookies. It’s a surefire way to bring smiles!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with any leftover cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This maintains their soft, chewy texture without drying out.

Freezing

You can freeze cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray, freezing until solid, then transferring to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time. This way, fresh cookies are always at your fingertips!

Reheating

To bring your cookies back to that fresh-baked warmth, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm briefly in a low oven. They’ll regain their softness and chocolate gooeyness, making them taste like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter in the Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?

While margarine can be used in a pinch, butter is preferred because it imparts richer flavor and better texture. Margarine tends to make the cookies less flavorful and soft, so for the best results, stick with unsalted butter.

Why should I chill the cookie dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up so the cookies spread less in the oven, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies. It also allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the taste of your Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.

Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour?

You can replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and a slightly denser texture. Just keep in mind that whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture, so your cookies might need a touch more butter or an extra egg yolk to stay soft.

How do I get chewy versus crispy cookies?

For chewier cookies, use more brown sugar and slightly underbake them, leaving the centers soft. For crispier cookies, bake a minute or two longer and use a bit more granulated sugar to encourage crisp edges.

Can I add nuts to the Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans complement the chocolate chips beautifully and add a wonderful crunch. Just fold them in along with the chocolate chips before chilling the dough.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and this Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe captures that magic in every bite. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a heartwarming, crowd-pleasing recipe you’ll want to make again and again. So grab your mixing bowl, pull out those chocolate chips, and treat yourself to a taste of homemade happiness today!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Ingredients You'll Need