Chocolate chip cookies are the classic treat we all love! Soft, warm, and full of sweet chocolate chips, they are perfect for any occasion.
Honestly, there’s nothing like the smell of cookies baking in the oven. I can’t help but sneak a few before they even cool down—who can resist? 🍪
Making them is easy too! Just mix the ingredients, scoop, and bake. In no time, you’ll have a batch of delicious cookies to share, or not—no judgment here!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your cookies. If you’re gluten-free, you can substitute it with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I’ve tried almond flour too, but it can change the texture a bit.
Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness. If you’re out, use salted butter but reduce the added salt to half. Some folks love using coconut oil for a dairy-free option!
Sugars: Granulated sugar gives sweetness and helps cookies spread, while brown sugar adds moisture. If you want a chewier cookie, increase the brown sugar slightly. You can also swap for coconut sugar for a healthier option.
Chocolate Chips: Semisweet is classic, but feel free to mix it up! Dark chocolate chips are yummy or even white chocolate for a twist. You can also use chopped chocolate bars for larger chunks.
Nuts: Walnuts or pecans are common. If you prefer no nuts, just skip them! If you want something nutty, try adding sunflower seeds instead for crunch.
How Can I Make Sure My Cookies Are Soft and Chewy?
Achieving that perfect soft and chewy cookie comes down to a few crucial techniques:
- Butter Temperature: Ensure your butter is soft but not melted. Room temperature butter helps create a light and fluffy base.
- Don’t Overmix: When you combine the flour mixture, mix just until you see no flour. Overmixing can make the cookies tough.
- Baking Time: Keep an eye on them! Once the edges start to turn golden, pull them out. They will continue to cook on the sheet a little after removing from the oven.
- Chilling the Dough: For chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This also helps prevent them from spreading too much.
These tips have helped me achieve the perfect cookie texture every time!
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Basic Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and around 10 minutes to bake. Overall, you can enjoy your delicious cookies in under 30 minutes, not including cooling time. Perfect for a quick sweet treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
First, set the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent your cookies from sticking and make clean-up easy!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the baking soda and salt throughout the flour. Set the bowl aside for later.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
4. Incorporate the Eggs:
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure everything is nicely combined before proceeding to the next step.
5. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to your butter and sugar mixture. Mix just until you see no more flour—overmixing can make your cookies tough!
6. Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts:
Now it’s time to stir in the chocolate chips and nuts (if you’re using them). Mix until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Scoop the Dough:
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each dollop to allow for spreading during baking.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. You want the edges to be golden brown while the centers still look slightly soft.
9. Cool Down:
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and stay soft.
10. Enjoy!
Finally, grab a warm cookie (or two) and enjoy them with a glass of milk or your favorite drink! They are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for later.
Happy baking!
Can I Substitute Whole Wheat Flour for All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can! If you want a healthier option, replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Just know that this may change the texture slightly, making cookies a bit denser.
How Can I Make My Cookies Less Sweet?
If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the amount of both the granulated and brown sugars by about 1/4 cup each. You can also opt for dark chocolate chips, which are less sweet than semisweet ones!
Can I Freeze Cookie Dough for Later Use?
Absolutely! You can scoop the cookie dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the bake time.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Cookies?
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months. Just let them thaw before enjoying!
