If there’s one treat that unites cookie lovers everywhere, it’s a classic batch of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Imagine a golden, crave-worthy cookie with a soft, chewy center and gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite. This recipe is your go-to for that perfect nostalgic taste, whether you need an after-school snack, a crowd-pleaser for parties, or simply a way to brighten up your afternoon with the ultimate cookie comfort. The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver bakery-style richness in every homemade bite—get ready to fall in love with your new favorite cookie!

Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies plays a crucial role in achieving their glorious texture and flavor. These simple pantry staples are transformed, thanks to their perfect balance and a few little secrets that make each cookie tender inside with just a touch of crispness around the edge.
- All-purpose flour: The base that provides structure and chew to your cookies—make sure to measure it properly for the best results.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies puff up and stay soft, not cakey; don’t skip this leavening agent!
- Salt: Just the right amount brings out all those rich flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled): Melting the butter is the real secret behind that irresistible chewy texture.
- Brown sugar (packed): Boosts moisture and adds a subtle caramel-like depth to every bite.
- Granulated sugar: Provides just the right amount of sweetness and helps the cookies spread perfectly.
- Large egg plus 1 egg yolk (room temperature): The extra yolk guarantees cookies that are extra tender and rich.
- Vanilla extract: Don’t skimp here—pure vanilla really rounds out the flavor profile.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: The star of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, two full cups means every mouthful is chocolate bliss.
How to Make The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and less cleanup. Having everything prepped and ready means you’ll move through the recipe like a pro, ensuring consistent results every time.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This not only makes sure the leavening is evenly dispersed but also helps avoid pockets of dryness in your cookies. Take a moment to enjoy how these everyday ingredients are about to work their magic!
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, mix the melted and slightly cooled butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy—this step helps set the foundation for The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies by infusing the dough with rich, toasty flavors and that signature chew.
Step 4: Add the Egg, Egg Yolk, and Vanilla
Drop in the large egg, extra yolk, and vanilla extract, beating until everything’s beautifully combined. The additional yolk is the not-so-secret weapon for creating an ultra-rich, tender cookie interior. Make sure everything is fully incorporated but don’t overmix here.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add your whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. Over-mixing can make the cookies tough, so take it easy—stir gently and stop once you no longer see streaks of flour.
Step 6: Add Chocolate Chips
Fold in those generous two cups of semisweet chocolate chips. The dough should look peppered with chocolate—because there’s no such thing as too many chocolate chips when you’re making The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop out dough balls using about two tablespoons per cookie, and place them two inches apart on your prepped baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges look lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Resist the urge to overbake—remember, they continue to set as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet for easier handling, then transfer to a wire rack. Now comes the hardest part: waiting! But it’s so worth it for that warm, slightly melty perfection only The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies can deliver.
How to Serve The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes
To make these cookies look and taste even more irresistible, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt right after they come out of the oven. The salt crystals bring out the rich chocolate flavor for a gourmet touch. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar also makes for a festive presentation.
Side Dishes
Nothing beats a cold glass of milk alongside a stack of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies—trust me, it’s a classic for a reason! For grown-up gatherings, pair them with espresso or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They’re also lovely served with fresh berries for a colorful, slightly tart contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your cookies into a dazzling dessert platter by stacking them on a cake stand, or sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies for homemade ice cream sandwiches. For parties, tie a few cookies together with baker’s twine as edible party favors—they’re guaranteed to disappear fast!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to five days—if they last that long! For extra softness, tuck a slice of bread inside the container to help retain moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies for up to three months. Let them cool fully, layer between parchment or wax paper in a freezer-safe container, and you’ll always have a sweet treat at your fingertips. For even fresher flavor, freeze portioned raw dough balls and bake straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If you want to recapture that fresh-from-the-oven magic, just pop the cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes, or microwave individual cookies for 10–15 seconds. Warm cookies are every bit as irresistible the second (or third!) time around.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to prevent your cookies from becoming too salty. Unsalted butter is preferred as it gives you full control over the final flavor balance of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
What makes these cookies so chewy?
The combination of melted butter and an extra egg yolk is the secret to that iconic chewy texture. Also, baking just until the edges are lightly browned ensures the centers stay soft and luscious.
Can I chill the dough overnight?
Definitely! In fact, chilling the dough for several hours or even overnight lets the flavors deepen and improves texture. It leads to thicker cookies with even more chewiness—a great tip if you want to take The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies to the next level.
Can I use different types of chocolate?
Absolutely. While semisweet chocolate chips are classic, feel free to mix in dark, milk, or even white chocolate. Chopped chocolate chunks add extra gooey pockets and variety to The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
This is often caused by butter that is too hot, overmixing the dough, or not enough flour. Make sure the butter is melted but not steaming, and always measure your flour accurately for perfect, thick cookies every time.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about baking up a batch of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and sharing them with people you love. With their crisp edges, buttery chew, and generous chocolate chips, these cookies are a true treat from the first bite to the last crumb. I hope you make them, tweak them to your taste, and create warm cookie memories in your own kitchen—happy baking!
Print
The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are the epitome of the perfect cookie – crisp edges, soft centers, loaded with chocolate chips, and incredibly delicious. This recipe will become your go-to for a sweet treat that’s sure to please everyone.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional:
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake: Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers are soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra chewiness, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- You can use dark or milk chocolate chips for variation.
- Avoid overbaking as the cookies continue to cook as they cool.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg