The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Meet your new forever favorite: The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are everything you dream of in a homemade treat—soft centers, chewy edges, and melty pockets of chocolate in every bite. With this recipe, you’ll whip up a batch of bakery-worthy cookies that have all the nostalgia of childhood but with a few techniques for next-level results. Whether you’re sharing with friends or treating yourself alongside a cold glass of milk, The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies never disappoint.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies is how each ingredient plays a crucial role in flavor and texture. There’s nothing fancy or fussy here—just pantry staples coming together to create cookie perfection. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why each one matters.

• Unsalted butter (1 cup / 2 sticks, softened): Butter is key for rich flavor and that undeniably tender, chewy crumb.
• Packed brown sugar (1 cup): Brings warmth and moisture, ensuring a soft, decadent bite every time.
• Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Lends the cookies their classic sweetness and those appealing crisp edges.
• Large eggs (2): Eggs bind the dough and add a lovely richness for that gooey, satisfying texture.
• Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): The aroma and subtle vanilla flavor deepen the overall cookie experience.
• All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Provides structure while keeping the cookies light and tender.
• Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Gives the cookies their gentle rise and subtle chewiness.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Ensures an even, soft lift for the perfect thick cookie shape.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies all those dreamy flavors.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups): The star of the show—melty, oozy chocolate in every single bite.

How to Make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this is a quick trick that keeps cookies from sticking and ensures nice, even baking every time. Set out your mixing bowls and ingredients so you’re ready to make the dough.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed for about 2–3 minutes until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and has doubled in volume. This crucial step creates the airiness that makes The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies so soft and chewy in the middle.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

With your mixer on low, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Once both eggs are in, stir in the vanilla extract. You’ll notice the dough looks lush and glossy—just what you want here for great flavor and texture.

Step 4: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly mixed, so you don’t end up with any bitter or salty surprises in a finished cookie.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix just until combined—overmixing can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears. The dough will come together and feel luxuriously thick.

Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. If you love puddles of chocolate, you can press a few chips right on top of each cookie before baking for extra decadence.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Scoop out the dough using a 2-tablespoon portion scoop (or a regular spoon), placing dollops about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Pop them in the oven for 10–12 minutes: bake just until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft—this keeps them perfectly chewy inside.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after coming out of the oven; this helps them set so they’re gooey but not falling apart. Then, move them to a wire rack to finish cooling—or sneak one warm for the ultimate treat!

How to Serve The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right as the cookies come out of the oven is a game changer. This little finishing touch makes the chocolate flavors pop and adds a subtle savory note that keeps people coming back for more.

Side Dishes

There’s nothing quite like serving The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies with an ice-cold glass of milk. If you’re hosting a dessert spread, they also pair beautifully alongside fresh fruit, vanilla ice cream, or a simple hot coffee. Easy, classic matches always win hearts.

Creative Ways to Present

Level up your cookie game by serving warm cookies stacked on a rustic board with tiny bowls of whipped cream or fruit preserves for dipping. For a fun twist at parties, sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate homemade ice cream sandwiches. Or package a few in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon for the sweetest edible gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for about four to five days—if they last that long! Slip in a slice of bread to maintain the perfect chewy texture.

Freezing

Both baked cookies and unbaked dough freeze beautifully. For dough, scoop it onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time. Baked cookies can also be wrapped well and frozen for up to two months—just let them thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To bring The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies back to that warm, fresh-from-the-oven state, simply pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. Alternatively, lay them on a baking sheet and warm in a low oven (about 275°F) for 3–5 minutes. They’ll taste bakery-fresh!

FAQs

Can I make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking deepens the flavor and results in thicker, chewier cookies. You can even make the dough a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.

Why are my cookies flat instead of thick and chewy?

The temperature of your butter matters—too soft or melted butter can lead to flat cookies. Chilling the dough before baking helps them hold their shape, giving you the thick, chewy bite you want from The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Can I use different types of chocolate in these cookies?

Definitely! A mix of milk, dark, and even white chocolate chips adds amazing depth. Chopped chocolate bars also work, giving you those irresistible pools of melted chocolate throughout each cookie.

How do I know when my cookies are done baking?

Your cookies are done when the edges are golden brown and the centers look just a touch underbaked. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, keeping the inside fudgy and soft.

Are The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies suitable for freezing?

Yes—freezing is a fantastic way to always have fresh cookies on hand. Freeze either the baked cookies or the scooped dough, and you’ll be only minutes away from a fresh, tasty treat whenever the craving strikes.

Final Thoughts

Ready to make your kitchen smell like pure happiness? Grab your ingredients and try The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies—you’ll see just how easy and rewarding homemade can be. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or sneaking them straight off the tray, these cookies will always bring smiles. Happy baking!

Print