BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is without-a-doubt your new go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe and for so many reasons! The dough does not need to be chilled, they can be mixed by hand, and they turn out perfect every single time. They have a rich flavor and are soft on the inside but crisp and chewy on the outside. I’ve also included my top cookie bake tips to ensure your cookies turn out just right!
What makes these the best chocolate chip cookies?
When I think chocolate chip cookie, this is the exact cookie I picture. They’re soft and melty on the inside, crispy and chewy on the outside, spread beautifully in the oven, and are loaded with chocolate chips. Oh, and let’s not forget the sea salt on top!
But the reason why I love this recipe so much is because of how quick and easy they are to make. Usually to get the most flavor out of your cookies, the dough is chilled overnight. This helps the flour fully absorb, giving you a cookie with a chewier texture and stronger flavor.
With these cookies, you can all that flavor and texture but without the chill time! Right after the dough is mixed, they’re ready to scoop and bake.
Another major reason why this recipe is SO good is that you don’t need special mixing equipment. All you need is a bowl, a whisk, and a rubber spatula. So not only is the dough quick to make, but clean up is also super fast.
In the end you’re left with the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Each bite just melts in your mouth, and the sound of sinking your teeth into this cookie is something you just have to experience to understand!
Chocolate chip cookie recipe baking tips
I have made maaaaannnyy cookies in my day, and it’s even the largest dessert category on my blog. Throughout the years, I’ve picked up some important tips and tricks to ensure my cookies turn out perfect every time. Here are some of my secrets so you too can up your cookie baking game:
1. Properly measure the flour – I say this in every post, and for good reason. It’s the number one reason why most recipes fail, especially for cookies. If there’s too much flour, the cookies will turn out dry and they will not spread. If you can, measure the flour with a food scale. Otherwise, to ensure you use the exact amount needed, gently spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level if off with a flat edge. If you scoop directly into the flour container, it packs it down into the cup which could leave you with 1/4 cup or more of added flour.
2. Know your butter – The type of butter you use can make a big difference. You would think that a really high-quality European style butter would make this recipe even better, and you may be right. But most cookie recipes are made with basic unsalted butter. If you try to use something that’s a bit more rich, it can throw off the entire cookie. Different butters have different water to fat ratios. If your butter contains too much fat, it could cause the cookies to be too soft, greasy, or spread too much in the oven. When it doubt, stick with plain old unsalted butter.
3. 2 sugars are better than 1 – There’s a reason why I choose to use both light brown sugar and granulated sugar in this recipe, so don’t make any substitutions. The molasses in the light brown sugar is what gives these cookies that soft but chewy texture. On the other hand, granulated sugar is what gives you that golden and crisp ring around the edge. Utilizing both sugars is what gives you a well rounded cookie, one that’s soft in the middle and chewy on the oustide.
4. The larger the scoop, the better – Not only do I just desire a bigger cookie, but large cookies bake much better than smaller cookies. 2oz is the sweet spot, so I highly recommend adding a 2oz scoop to your baking kit. Otherwise, you can use 1/4 measuring cup which is also equal to 2oz. Larger cookies bake better because there’s more surface area to cover. It takes the heat of the oven much longer to penetrate the center of the cookie. So as it heats, the outer layers of the dough begin to melt, darken, and crisp while the center stays soft and tender. With a smaller cookie, this process happens too quickly and there just isn’t enough dough in the center of the cookie for you to achieve that soft and gooey texture.
5. Don’t over bake – The cookies are ready when they look exactly like the picture above (and this goes for most cookies). You always want to pull the cookies when the edges are golden brown and the center looks pale, puffed, and slightly underdone. What most people don’t realize is that cookies continue to bake outside of the oven. It’s not much, but the residual heat transforms the center of the cookie from goopy and doughy to soft and melty. Then, as they cool, they will deflate and flatten. This compacts that soft and slightly underdone center, giving you the PERFECT texture right in the middle.
6. Don’t skip the sea salt – A light sprinkling of sea salt on top of warm chocolate chip cookies makes a world of a difference. The salt helps balance out the sweetness of the cookie, but also brings forward that chocolate flavor. Just that tiny pinch gives the cookies a much stronger flavor, and once you try it you’ll never go without it!
How can I make these cookies gluten free?
I don’t recommend tweaking this recipe, because you don’t mess with perfection! But I do have a dedicated gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe that is SO good. I’ve had people tell me they can’t even tell they’re gluten free!
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes! Scoop the cookie dough and chill the dough balls until they’re semi-firm (about 1 hour). Then place the dough balls into a freezer safe container or bag and store for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to bake a cookie, preheat the oven to 340F (yes, 10 degrees lower), and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes. The lower temperature will prevent the edges from browning too quickly.
How long do these chocolate chip cookies last?
Store the cookies in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 6 days. If you want to keep them soft, place a slice of white bread in the container with the cookies. This will help prevent them from drying out.
For more of my top chocolate chip cookie recipes, check out my:
- Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Salted Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
Make sure to tag me @butternutbakery on Instagram and comment below if you make these Chocolate Chip Cookies. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
Watch how to make the best chocolate chip cookies:
BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 9 large or 12 regular cookies
Description
This is your new go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe! It’s no chill, mixed by hand, and they’re ready in 30 minutes. They turn out soft and gooey on the inside and crisp and chewy on the outside.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups (170g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups (250g) semisweet chocolate chips (I like Trader Joe’s, Guittard, or Ghirardelli) + more for topping
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour (see notes on how to properly measure), baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the melted and cooled butter, brown sugar, and sugar. It’s important that the butter is not hot, but it can be slightly warm. Whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until it turns into a paste-like consistency (see picture in post for reference).
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour in the dry ingredients and use a rubber spatula to fold to combine. Leave a few streaks of flour and pour in the chocolate chips. Continue to fold the dough until the chocolate chips are dispersed and the flour is completely blended in. Do not over mix.
- A large 2oz cookie scoop (or 1/4 measuring cup) is preferred for this recipe. Scoop 5 cookies onto the baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes (12 for a more gooey cookie, 15 more a more well done cookie). If you do not have a large scoop or prefer regular-sized cookies, scoop 6 cookies onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- The cookies are ready when they have a golden ring around the edge but are pale and puffed in the center (see the photo above of the cookies inside the oven for reference). And if your cookies spread too much, use a fork to nudge in the sides immediately after the cookies are pulled from the oven.
- When they’re fresh from the oven, top with a few extra chocolate chips and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Transfer to a cooling rack and continue to bake the rest of the dough.
- Let the cookies cool for about 20 minutes before eating. They’re best when they’re slightly warm and the chocolate chips are still melty. Enjoy!
Notes
FLOUR – If you have a food scale, weigh out your flour to ensure accuracy. Otherwise, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Don’t shake it down, pack it in, or scoop directly into the flour bag or container. This compacts the flour which will lead to too much flour in the dough. If there’s too much flour, the cookies will not spread properly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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Meet Jenna
I’m the creator, baker, and photographer behind Butternut Bakery. Here I share desserts for every diet because I believe everyone should have a chance to indulge!
This is by far the best recipe for chocolate chip cookies I have tried and I can’t believe how easy it is! I’m pretty picky about my chocolate chip cookies and these are flavorful, chewy, soft, and have a slight crunch. Make them, trust me you won’t regret it!
this is THE recipe theyre sooo sofftttt and good i added less sugar tho and used a mixer for combining it with butter but maaan those are my new favs fr
I wish I could give these more than 5 stars. Easily the best choc chip cookies I’ve ever made. I browned the butter first and subbed with milk chocolate chips and skor bits and topped with flaky sea salt. They barely had time to cool and they have been devoured. Thank you! Finally a cookie recipe I LOVE
Wow – this is no joke!! I’ve used tons of chocolate chip cookies recipe, and this one I’m saving!! Just the perfect chocolate chip cookie!! My whole family loved them!!
These are delicious! A tad bit too salty for me, so I’ll put a little less salt next time. Overall, so good.
The best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever made!