Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These best ever chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with melty chocolate chips in every bite. Perfect for any occasion, they strike the ideal balance between sweetness and texture for a truly satisfying treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Sea salt for sprinkling on top, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
7. Step 7: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Step 8: Lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie dough ball.
9. Step 9: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft.
10. Step 10: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For richer flavor, mix half semi-sweet and half dark chocolate chips.
• Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the perfect cookie texture.
• Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading.
• Use a mix of white and brown sugar to balance chewiness and crisp edges.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature before serving. To refresh, warm cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or bake briefly at 300°F (150°C).

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use melted butter instead of softened butter?

It’s best to use softened butter because melted butter can make the cookies spread too much and become thin and crispy rather than soft and chewy.

How do I make cookies with crispier edges?

Use a combination of white and brown sugar, bake a little longer until edges are golden, and avoid overmixing the dough to promote crispier edges with a chewy center.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 113 reviews

These Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips for a rich, indulgent flavor. Perfectly balanced with the right amount of butter and sugars, these classic cookies are easy to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. A sprinkle of sea salt on top enhances the chocolatey goodness and makes every bite irresistible.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (Make sure the butter is softened, not melted.)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

Dry Ingredients

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

Other Ingredients

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (For richer flavor, consider combining semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips.)
• Sea salt, to taste, for sprinkling on top (To enhance flavor.)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add Vanilla and Eggs: Beat in the vanilla extract and then add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture while mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Using a spatula, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Portion Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart as they will spread during baking.
8. Sprinkle Sea Salt: Lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie dough ball to enhance flavor and add a slight crunch.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. This will ensure a chewy center.
10. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breaking.

Notes

• For a richer chocolate flavor, mix semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips.
• Do not melt the butter; it should be softened to trap air and create a fluffy texture.
• Do not overbake; cookies continue to cook slightly on the baking sheet after removal from the oven.
• To store, keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: chocolate chip cookies, homemade cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, classic cookies