Name: The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips; Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)

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Meet The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies: rich, chewy, and impossibly moreish, these are the cookies that tempt you back for “just one more” every single time. Imagine golden edges, gooey centers, melty chocolate in every bite, and a gentle sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top—pure cookie perfection. This classic recipe is the one friends and family beg for, bringing comfort and joy to any kitchen. The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than a treat—they’re an experience you’ll want to share (or maybe keep all to yourself!).

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies plays a starring role, contributing to the cookie’s irresistible flavor, texture, and beauty. Nothing fancy here—just simple pantry staples working together in perfect harmony.

Butter (1 cup, unsalted, softened): The key to rich flavor and tender, chewy cookies—always start with butter at room temperature for perfect creaming.
Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a caramel-like depth that makes every bite cozy and delicious.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Gives the cookies their classic sweetness and helps create those crisp, golden edges.
Eggs (2 large): Act as the binding agent, keeping everything together while giving the cookies a little lift.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors, adding warmth and a touch of elegance to each cookie.
All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Provides structure while keeping the cookies tender and light.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Ensures the perfect amount of spread and that soft, irresistible texture.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and sharpens the flavors—never skip it!
Semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups): The heart of The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies—melty, rich, and perfectly balanced.
Flaky sea salt for topping (optional): A final flourish that transforms cookies from great to absolutely unforgettable.

How to Make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure a perfectly even bake. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this helps the cookies bake evenly, prevents sticking, and makes clean-up a breeze. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, pale, and a bit fluffy. This step is the secret to those epic chewy centers. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results, but a hearty whisk and strong arms can do the job too!

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix well. These steps layer in moisture and lovely depth of flavor.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour with the baking soda and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separate from the wet keeps your cookies soft and evenly textured, preventing overmixing later on.

Step 5: Bring Wet and Dry Together

Gradually add your dry mixture to the bowl of wet ingredients, mixing until everything just comes together—don’t overdo it! Once combined, you’ll notice a gorgeous, thick dough forming. This is the magic moment.

Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed. For The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, I like using my spatula to make sure every spoonful of dough gets plenty of chocolatey goodness.

Step 7: Shape and Top the Cookies

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough, placing each scoop about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking trays. If you want a dramatic finish, press a few extra chocolate chips and a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each mound before baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are still just a bit soft. The cookies continue to set as they cool, so don’t wait until they’re completely firm. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack—you’ll get the ultimate chewy-meets-crisp contrast!

How to Serve The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

For a finishing touch, sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt right out of the oven. The slight crunch and salty bite beautifully balance the sweet, melty chocolate, turning these into The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies hands-down.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs quite like a glass of cold milk, but you can also serve these cookies with scoops of vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, or even a dollop of whipped cream for an elevated dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack the cookies high on a pretty cake stand, arrange them in a rustic basket lined with parchment, or package them in cellophane bags for thoughtful edible gifts. For parties, try making mini cookies and serving them on skewers alongside a small cup of chocolate milk—guaranteed showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (a rare occurrence!), store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Slip a slice of bread in with the cookies to keep them extra soft—the cookies absorb the moisture from the bread and stay fresher longer.

Freezing

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze beautifully, either as baked cookies or unbaked dough. For unbaked dough, form your scoops, flash freeze on a tray, and then store in a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies can be frozen as well; thaw at room temperature or gently warm for a just-baked feel.

Reheating

To bring back that oven-fresh, gooey magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for 8–10 seconds. If reheating several, a warm (not hot) oven for a few minutes will do the trick. They’ll taste just like new—soft centers and melted chocolate included!

FAQs

Why should I cream the butter and sugars together?

Creaming incorporates air, resulting in cookies that are tender yet chewy. It helps dissolve the sugars and sets you up for The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies texture—don’t skip this critical first step!

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

If you only have salted butter, just skip or reduce the added salt in the recipe. Your cookies will still deliver loads of flavor, just watch the balance so the salt doesn’t overpower the chocolate.

Do I really need to chill the dough?

Chilling is optional but highly recommended for even deeper caramel notes and better texture. It helps prevent spreading so you get thick, bakery-style cookies. If you’ve got the time (even 1 hour!), your future self will thank you.

Why do my cookies sometimes come out flat?

This can happen if your butter is too soft or melted, or if you skip chilling the dough. Measuring flour correctly and making sure your oven is the right temp with an oven thermometer can all help keep those cookies thick and chewy.

Can I add nuts or swap chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Try chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch, or mix up the chocolate with dark, milk, or even white chips. The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies are endlessly customizable—make them your own!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about baking The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies—warm, nostalgic, and joy-sparking with every bite. Whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking them late at night, I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. Bake a batch soon and discover for yourself why these cookies are the best!

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 30 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience with this recipe for the best, chewy cookies ever. These treats are a classic favorite for any occasion, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and chocolatey goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

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

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Additional:

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Finish the Dough: Fold in the chocolate chips. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Top with flaky sea salt if desired.
Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are golden and centers are just set. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.