Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
There is something truly magical about Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies that never gets old. These cookies bring together the perfect balance of soft, chewy centers and slightly crisp edges, studded generously with melting pockets of rich chocolate. Every bite evokes warm memories and immediate comfort, making this recipe a timeless favorite to have on hand whenever you need a little sweet pick-me-up or a cozy treat to share with loved ones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in the simplicity of their ingredients: each component plays an essential role in creating that ideal texture and flavor harmony you crave. From the creamy butter to the spark of vanilla, every item contributes to making these cookies irresistibly delicious.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation providing structure while keeping the cookies tender.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies spread and rise just right, giving them that perfect lift.
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder: Offers a subtle lift to enhance lightness without making them cakey.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the complexity of flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds rich creaminess and moisture for a soft texture.
- 1½ cup light brown sugar (packed): Brings depth and chewiness with its molasses content.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Provides a crisp edge and sweetness.
- 2 large eggs (room temperature): Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with warm, aromatic notes.
- 2¼ cups chocolate chips and/or chunks: The star ingredient delivering delicious chocolate pockets in every bite.
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt (optional, for topping): A finishing touch that highlights the chocolate and sweet flavors beautifully.
How to Make Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, making sure it reaches the right temperature so your cookies bake evenly. While it warms, line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt — this ensures even distribution of the leaveners and seasoning for a flawless dough.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
Next, using a mixer on medium speed, cream your softened butter along with the light brown and granulated sugars for about 2 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which helps create tender, fluffy cookies. Scrape down the sides of your bowl as you mix to ensure an even blend.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Once your butter-sugar mixture looks light and fluffy, add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then pour in the vanilla extract. This step combines the wet ingredients, building up the silky dough base packed with flavor.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful to avoid overmixing here, as that can lead to tough cookies. The dough should come together neatly but still look thick and soft.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Now comes the fun part — gently fold in those chocolate chips or chunks with a spatula so every cookie bite will be loaded with gooey chocolate goodness. This folding technique keeps the dough light and ensures even chocolate distribution.
Step 6: Scoop onto Baking Sheets
Scoop generous balls of dough about 2 inches apart onto your prepared baking sheets. This recipe yields roughly 16 large cookies or 24 smaller ones, so choose the size that suits your craving. Optional: sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of each dough ball for an extra chocolaty finish.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 10-14 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden tan while the centers remain soft. The smell coming from the oven at this point is pure bliss and will make it hard to wait for them to cool.
Step 8: Add the Finishing Touch
Once out of the oven, if you like, sprinkle a pinch of coarse salt on top of your cookies. The salt contrasts beautifully with the sweetness and intensifies those chocolate notes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the pan before transferring them to a cooling rack to finish firming up.
How to Serve Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
Sprinkling coarse sea salt on freshly baked Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies elevates their flavor profile by creating a delightful contrast. You can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a festive touch or drizzle some melted white or dark chocolate on top for extra indulgence.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a warm cup of coffee or tea. They make for an excellent sweet finish to any meal or a comforting afternoon snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings or gift-giving, consider stacking the cookies with parchment paper in between and tying them up with a ribbon. You can also sandwich them with your favorite nut butter, marshmallow fluff, or ice cream for delectable cookie sandwiches that will wow any crowd.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread into the container helps keep the cookies soft by maintaining moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls or baked cookies. For dough, place scoops on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To freeze baked cookies, layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm your cookies for that just-baked experience by microwaving for 10-15 seconds or heating them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This brings back the softness and melts those chocolate chips again for pure comfort.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?
Butter plays a key role in taste and texture, so while margarine or oil might work, the cookies will lose some richness and may have a different texture. Unsalted butter at room temperature is best for authentic flavor.
What if I don’t have light brown sugar?
You can make a simple substitute by mixing granulated sugar with molasses (about 1 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon molasses). This will mimic the rich flavor and moisture that light brown sugar provides.
How do I make my cookies chewier?
Using more brown sugar than granulated sugar and slightly underbaking the cookies by removing them when edges are set but centers are still soft helps create that perfect chewy texture.
Can I use different types of chocolate?
Absolutely! Mixing semi-sweet, dark, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips adds variety and personal flair. Just keep the total amount around 2¼ cups for best results.
Why do my cookies spread too much or not enough?
Cookies that spread too much might result from using melted butter or dough that’s too warm. Chill your dough before baking to control spread. Conversely, if they don’t spread enough, make sure you haven’t overfloured or used too much baking powder.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason why Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies have remained a beloved treat over the years — they’re simply pure joy in cookie form. Soft, chewy, and packed with melty chocolate, they have the power to brighten any day. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and make these cookies your own delicious tradition.
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Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 16 large cookies or 24 smaller cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies are a timeless treat featuring a perfect balance of crisp edges and chewy centers, loaded with rich chocolate chips. These cookies are easy to make and ideal for any occasion, whether a casual snack or a festive gathering.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (weighed in grams or spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Mix-ins & Topping
- 2¼ cups chocolate chips and/or chunks
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper which helps with easier cleanup and prevents sticking.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to be added later.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and mix well to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix carefully and just until the flour is incorporated to avoid overmixing which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips or chunks with a spatula to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop the dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets spaced at least 2 inches apart. Optionally, sprinkle additional mini chocolate chips on top of each dough ball for extra chocolate goodness.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Remove from oven promptly to prevent overbaking.
- Add finishing salt and cool: While still warm, sprinkle coarse salt over the tops of the cookies if desired. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy your classic chocolate chip cookies!
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients to ensure proper mixing and consistency.
- You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber.
- Adjust baking time slightly based on your cookie size and oven variance; smaller cookies will bake faster.
- Adding coarse salt on top enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
- Freezing cookie dough balls before baking can help develop deeper flavors and make baking more convenient.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large cookie (about 50g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: classic chocolate chip cookies, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe, chocolate chip cookie recipe, American dessert
