If you have been searching high and low for the ultimate treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, look no further than this BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Imagine warm, golden cookies with just the right balance of chewy and crisp textures, loaded with melty semisweet chocolate chips and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt that makes every bite absolutely irresistible. This recipe is a classic done to perfection, offering simple ingredients that come together to create something truly extraordinary. Once you try these cookies, they’ll quickly become your go-to for any occasion that calls for comfort and joy baked right in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays an indispensable role in crafting that perfect cookie moment. These staples are easy to find but deliver a powerful punch of flavor, texture, and just the right hint of sweetness.
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and base for the cookie dough, ensuring a tender crumb.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies spread out beautifully and gives them a slight lift.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: Adds a touch of extra leavening for that ideal soft center.
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled): Adds richness and moisture while contributing to the chewy texture.
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed): Adds deep caramel notes and keeps the cookies moist.
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar: Brings brightness and helps with the perfect crispy edges.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, inviting aroma and flavor that’s essential.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and tenderizes the dough.
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (plus more for topping): The star of the show delivering gooey, chocolatey pockets in every bite.
- Flaky sea salt (for garnish): A finishing touch that makes the sweetness pop and elevates the entire cookie experience.
How to Make BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, setting you up for cookie-making success from the very beginning.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Combining these dry ingredients first helps distribute the leavening agents evenly, preventing any uneven bursts of rise and giving your cookies that perfect texture.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk melted and cooled butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and slightly glossy. Adding your sugars to the melted butter ensures a chewy texture, while whisking it smooth creates a uniform base for the dough.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Whisk in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. These ingredients add moisture and flavor that will make your cookies tender and fragrant with every bite.
Step 5: Fold Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined — be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. Then fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed so every cookie gets plenty of those melty bites.
Step 6: Scoop the Dough
Using a cookie scoop, place mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space for spreading. This step helps ensure uniform-sized cookies that bake evenly and look perfect.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, but the centers still look soft. Timing here is key—this ensures you get that ideal balance between a crisp edge and a tender, almost gooey middle.
Step 8: Top with Extra Chocolate and Sea Salt
As soon as you pull the cookies out of the oven, press a few more chocolate chips on top, along with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. This finishing touch provides an irresistible salty-sweet contrast and a beautiful presentation.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool for about 20 minutes. This allows the cookies to set perfectly while keeping their softness inside, making every bite a dream.
How to Serve BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are decadent on their own, adding a tiny pinch of additional flaky sea salt right before serving can take them to the next level, enhancing the flavor complexity with a subtle crunch and salty finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a tall glass of cold milk for the classic combo or a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate to soften the edges of a busy day. The warm, gooey cookie perfectly complements these drinks and makes every bite even more comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, sandwich two cookies together with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for classic ice cream sandwiches or crumble them over vanilla pudding or yogurt for a simple yet indulgent dessert. These ideas highlight the cookies’ versatile flavor and texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay delicious for up to 5 days, retaining their soft centers and crisp edges without drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray, freezing until firm, then transferring to a sealed bag. This lets you bake fresh cookies on demand. Alternatively, baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly.
Reheating
Warm up leftover or frozen cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness and gooey chocolate. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep the texture just right.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter with margarine?
While margarine can sometimes be used, butter provides a richer flavor and better texture, so it’s highly recommended to stick with unsalted butter for the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Cookies spread too much often due to using too much butter or not chilling the dough. Make sure you measure accurately and consider chilling the dough briefly if your kitchen is very warm.
Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate chips add a richer, more intense chocolate flavor that can be delightful, but note this will also make the cookies slightly less sweet.
How do I get my cookies chewy instead of cakey?
Using melted butter and a combination of brown and granulated sugar promotes chewiness. Also, avoid overbaking and removing the cookies when the centers are still soft.
Is it necessary to add flaky sea salt on top?
The sea salt isn’t mandatory but highly recommended. It beautifully balances the sweetness and adds a lovely texture contrast, making the cookies taste even more gourmet.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats the joy of biting into a freshly baked batch of the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or savoring a quiet moment to yourself. This recipe combines simple, wholesome ingredients with straightforward techniques to give you cookies that feel homemade yet exceptionally special. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, embrace the baking adventure, and treat yourself to some cookie magic that will brighten your day and satisfy every chocolate craving!
Print
BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings (about 12 cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe for the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies features chewy, golden-brown cookies with a perfect balance of sweetness and a delightful crunch from a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Made with melted butter and a mix of brown and granulated sugars, these cookies turn out soft in the center with crispy edges. They’re easy to make and sure to satisfy any chocolate chip cookie craving.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Add-ins & Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
- Flaky sea salt, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted and cooled unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Add egg and vanilla: Whisk in the large egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is homogeneous and creamy.
- Fold in dry ingredients: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips evenly into the cookie dough.
- Portion dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are a beautiful golden brown while the centers remain soft.
- Garnish: Immediately after removing from the oven, top each warm cookie with a few extra chocolate chips and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an enhanced flavor contrast.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool for about 20 minutes to set and achieve the perfect texture before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the melted butter is cooled before mixing to prevent cooking the egg and to maintain the dough’s texture.
- Using parchment paper helps avoid sticking and makes clean-up easier.
- If you prefer crispier cookies, bake a couple of minutes longer but keep an eye so they don’t burn.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality semisweet chocolate chips.
- Sprinkling flaky sea salt on top truly elevates the cookie’s flavor by balancing the sweetness.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.
