Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re on a quest for the perfect batch of treats, this Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs! Soft on the inside, slightly crisp on the edges, loaded with gooey chocolate chips, and finished with just a hint of sea salt, these cookies are everything you want in a classic dessert. Whether you’re baking for a school event or simply craving an after-dinner bite, this recipe never disappoints and always disappears fast. Let’s immerse ourselves in the art of making one of the most beloved cookies of all time!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Baking the ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe starts with a handful of familiar pantry staples. Each ingredient serves a purpose, from building the cookie’s structure to adding those crave-worthy flavors and textures. Here’s the why and how behind every scoop and sprinkle.

• All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of your cookies, providing just the right amount of tenderness without making them cakey.
• Baking soda: Don’t skip this leavener; it helps the cookies rise and creates that irresistible chew.
• Salt: Essential for balance, salt sharpens the sweetness and deepens all the flavors.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Creamy, rich butter gives your cookies that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Light brown sugar: Brings moisture and a caramel-like depth of flavor no other sweetener can match.
• Granulated sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps the cookies spread just the right amount.
• Large egg: The egg binds everything together and adds a bit of lift.
• Vanilla extract: A tablespoon of vanilla infuses the dough with warm, aromatic notes.
• Semisweet chocolate chips (or chocolate chunks): The superstar of the Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, these create pockets of melty chocolate throughout each bite.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This little move ensures even baking and easy clean-up, so you’re ready for cookie bliss without any sticky situations.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients ahead of time guarantees that the leavener and salt get evenly distributed, so every cookie bakes up beautifully.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In the bowl of your stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium-low speed for about five minutes—don’t rush this step! Creaming makes the cookies fluffy and gives them that tender bite.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is combined, scraping down the sides to catch every bit of deliciousness. This step perfumes the dough and adds richness.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

With the mixer running on low, slowly add your flour mixture to the butter base. Beat just until the dough comes together—you don’t want to overmix! Stir in the chocolate chips or chunks by hand for even distribution and ultimate chunkiness.

Step 6: Shape and (Optional) Chill

Using a 1½-tablespoon scoop, portion out dough balls and place them onto your prepared baking sheets. For extra decadence, press a few more chocolate chips atop each mound. If you have time, chilling the dough balls for an hour (or even up to 72 hours) intensifies the flavor and yields a chewier cookie.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake your cookies for 12 to 14 minutes. If the dough was chilled, add an extra minute or two. The edges should be golden while the centers remain soft. For bakery-worthy results, bake one sheet at a time and sprinkle with flaked salt while they’re hot, if you like.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let your cookies rest on the pan for 5 to 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set up and keeps all that chocolate in place! Once cool, store leftovers in an airtight container—but trust me, they won’t last long.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For a classic finish, a light dusting of flaked sea salt over warm cookies amps up the flavors and cuts through the sweetness beautifully. You can also drizzle a little melted chocolate or add a few extra chips on top for visual appeal.

Side Dishes

The Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe pairs perfectly with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re feeling fancy, serve alongside fresh berries or a creamy chocolate mousse for a full dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cookies in a glass jar tied with ribbon for a sweet gift, or serve them as part of a cookie board alongside other treats. For parties, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for homemade ice cream sandwiches—fun and utterly delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. To maintain their soft texture, you can pop a slice of bread in the container—the cookies will stay perfectly chewy!

Freezing

This Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is freezer-friendly both before and after baking. Freeze dough balls in a single layer and transfer to a bag for up to three months; you can bake them straight from the freezer with just an extra minute or two in the oven. Baked cookies can also be frozen and thawed as needed.

Reheating

If you love warm cookies (who doesn’t?), just pop a cookie in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or reheat them in a low oven until the chocolate melts elegantly again.

FAQs

Can I use dark chocolate or milk chocolate instead of semisweet?

Absolutely! This Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is flexible—swap in your favorite chocolate chips or chunks for a unique twist. Just keep the quantity about the same for best results.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Chilling isn’t mandatory, but letting the dough rest really does improve both the flavor and texture. If you’re short on time, go ahead and bake right away—they’ll still be fantastic!

Why do I need both brown and granulated sugar?

Using both sugars gives the cookies a perfect balance of chewiness (from the brown sugar) and crispness (from the granulated). The flavor also gets a caramel boost you can’t get any other way.

Can I make this recipe without a stand mixer?

Definitely. A sturdy hand mixer works well, or you can even use old-fashioned elbow grease with a wooden spoon—it’ll just take a bit more effort to cream the butter and sugars together.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Keep a close eye as the edges turn golden and the centers look set but still soft. They’ll continue to cook slightly on the pan after coming out of the oven, resulting in that dreamy, gooey center everyone loves.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never made a homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe before, you’re in for an absolute treat! Every batch brings a warm sense of comfort and joy, whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking a cookie straight off the cooling rack. Give this recipe a try—your kitchen, and your taste buds, will thank you!

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