How to Make Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies That Never Fail

Who doesn’t love a warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie? Whether you’re a baking novice or a seasoned pro, there’s something magical about pulling a tray of these golden, chocolate-studded treats out of the oven. The combination of crispy edges, chewy centers, and gooey chocolate is the stuff of cookie dreams.

In this post, I’ll guide you through my go-to recipe for chocolate chip cookies, complete with tips to ensure they turn out perfectly every time. This recipe yields about 43 cookies, making it ideal for sharing (or for keeping all to yourself— I won’t judge!).

Why This Recipe is a Keeper

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why this particular version of chocolate chip cookies is so special.

1. Balance of Texture: These cookies have the perfect balance of crispiness and chewiness. The edges are golden and slightly crisp, while the centers remain soft and chewy.
2. Simple Ingredients: You don’t need any fancy ingredients—just pantry staples that you probably already have on hand.
3. Customizable: You can easily tweak this recipe to suit your preferences, whether you like your cookies thick and cakey or thin and crispy.
4. Kid-Friendly: This recipe is straightforward enough that kids can help out with the mixing and dough rolling.

The Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious chocolate chip cookies:

• ¾ cup sugar: Provides sweetness and helps the cookies spread.
• ¾ cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that enhances the chewiness.
• 1 cup butter: The base fat, giving the richness and flavor of the cookie.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
• 1 egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the structure of the cookies.
• 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour: The bulk of the dough, providing structure.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and become fluffy.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• 12 oz. chocolate chips: The star of the show! Use semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips, depending on your preference.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through the process of making these cookies from start to finish.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature when the cookies go in, which is crucial for achieving that ideal texture.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important because it incorporates air into the dough, helping the cookies rise and creating a tender texture.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. The egg will help bind the dough together, while the vanilla adds that classic cookie flavor.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.

Step 5: Stir in the Chocolate Chips

Now for the best part—adding the chocolate chips! Gently fold the chocolate chips into the dough using a spatula or wooden spoon. Make sure the chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough so every cookie is packed with chocolatey goodness.

Step 6: Scoop the Dough

Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion out the dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This space allows the cookies to spread as they bake without merging into each other.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes. Keep an eye on them—you’re looking for golden edges with a slightly underbaked center. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool on the baking sheet, ensuring they stay soft and chewy.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Once the cookies are done baking, remove the sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps the cookies set and develop their final texture.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter creams better with sugar, leading to a better texture in your cookies. Avoid using melted butter, as this can make the cookies greasy.
2. Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have time, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps control the spread of the cookies and enhances the flavor.
3. Don’t Overbake: It’s better to underbake slightly than to overbake. The cookies will firm up as they cool, and you’ll end up with a chewier texture.
4. Customize Your Chips: While this recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, feel free to mix in milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips, or a combination thereof.

The Science Behind the Cookie

Ever wondered why some cookies are chewy while others are crispy? It all comes down to the ingredients and how you treat them. Let’s take a closer look at how each ingredient in this recipe contributes to the final cookie.

• Butter: The fat in butter adds richness and tenderness to the cookies. It also contributes to the spread, which is why using room temperature butter is key. Cold butter will result in less spread, while melted butter can make the cookies too thin and greasy.
• Sugar: The combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar affects the texture and flavor. Granulated sugar helps the cookies spread and gives them a slight crunch, while brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness thanks to its molasses content.
• Egg: Eggs provide structure and moisture. The egg in this recipe helps bind the dough and contributes to the soft, chewy texture.
• Flour: Flour gives the cookies their structure. Too much flour can make the cookies dry and cakey, while too little will make them spread too much. The amount used in this recipe strikes the perfect balance.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps the cookies rise and become fluffy. It reacts with the acidic ingredients (like brown sugar) to produce carbon dioxide, which makes the cookies light and airy.
• Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness, making the chocolate chips taste even more decadent.

Troubleshooting Common Cookie Issues

Even with the best recipes, things can sometimes go awry. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Flat Cookies: If your cookies are spreading too much, the dough might be too warm. Chilling the dough before baking can help control the spread. Also, check that your baking soda is fresh.
• Dry Cookies: Overbaking is the most common cause of dry cookies. Make sure to remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are golden, and the centers are still slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to cook as they cool.
• Too Sweet: If you find the cookies too sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly or use a mix of bittersweet chocolate chips to balance the flavor.
• Burnt Bottoms: Baking sheets that are too dark can cause the bottoms of the cookies to burn. Try using light-colored baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for even baking.

Print

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Learn how to make the perfect chocolate chip cookies with this easy, foolproof recipe. Crispy on the edges, chewy in the center, and loaded with chocolate chips—these cookies are a crowd favorite! Get step-by-step instructions and pro tips for baking delicious homemade cookies.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate chip cookies, best chocolate chip cookie recipe, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe, chewy cookies, classic chocolate chip cookies, baking tips

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 40 Cookies

Ingredients

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 12 oz. chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Scoop dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers are slightly underbaked.
• Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.