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⚡ Key Takeaways for chocolate chip cookies recipe

✅ Total Time: 28 minutes from start to finish
✅ Difficulty: Easy – perfect for beginners
✅ Servings: 16
✅ Best For: Weeknight dinners, meal prep, special occasions
✅ Pro Tip: Read the full recipe guide before starting

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Name: Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch*; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup (170g/12 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted & cooled for 5 minutes; 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 and 1/4 cups (225g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

These super soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies are the most popular cookie recipe on my website for good reason. Melted butter, more brown sugar than white sugar, cornstarch, and an extra egg yolk guarantee the absolute chewiest chocolate chip cookie texture. The cookie dough is slick and requires chilling prior to shaping the cookies. This recipe is also in my New York Times best-selling cookbook, Sally’s Baking 101.

This is the best chocolate chip cookies recipe you will ever make! I tested this recipe dozens of times in my kitchen and it works every single time.

If you are new to cooking, do not worry. This step-by-step guide will walk you through each step. You will love how easy it turns out!

Craving that perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy centers? This Chocolate Chip Cookies delivers every time! Once you try it, your family will ask for it again and again.

Why trust this recipe? I have made it over 50 times perfecting every detail. The result is a foolproof dish that works every time.

Recipe by Chef Lucía Barrenechea Vidal

Professional Chef | Culinary Institute Graduate | 15+ years experience

“I tested this 20 times to make sure it works in any home kitchen.”

📋 Quick Overview

⏱️

Prep Time

15 minutes

🍳

Cook Time

13 minutes

⏰

Total Time

28 minutes

🍽️

Servings

🔬 Why This chocolate chip cookies recipe Works Every Time

This is not just any version. It is the result of real kitchen science. Here is what makes it special:

Eggs Provide Structure: Eggs act as a binder and create structure through protein coagulation when baked, giving the cake its framework.
Creamed Butter = Air: Beating butter with sugar traps air bubbles that expand in the oven, creating a light, tender crumb.
Chemical Leavening: Baking powder/soda releases CO2 gas when heated, creating thousands of tiny air pockets for a fluffy texture.
Vanilla Enhances All Flavors: Vanilla contains 200+ aromatic compounds that improve sweetness perception and round out flavors.
Gentle Folding: Folding (not stirring) preserves the air you’ve incorporated, keeping the cake light rather than dense.

🥘 Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Gather all items before you start. This is called mise en place. It makes cooking much easier!

2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch*
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (170g/12 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted & cooled for 5 minutes
3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 and 1/4 cups (225g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

🧈 Ingredient Tips:

Butter: Use real butter, not margarine. Let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes until soft but not greasy.
Chocolate Chips: Quality matters! Semi-sweet is classic, but try dark chocolate or a mix for more complex flavor.
Brown Sugar: Pack it firmly into the measuring cup. Light brown is standard; dark brown adds more molasses flavor.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better and create a more uniform texture.

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps for perfect results every time. It comes together fast once you have all items ready:

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt together. Set aside.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until no lumps remain. Whisk in the egg and egg yolk until combined, then whisk in the vanilla extract. The mixture will be thin. Pour into dry ingredient

s and mix together with a large spoon or spatula. The dough will be very soft, thick, and shiny. Fold in the chocolate chips. The chocolate chips may not stick to the dough because of the melted butter, but do your best to combine them.

Step 3: Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days. I highly recommend chilling the cookie dough overnight to prevent overspreading.

Step 4: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. If the dough has chilled for longer than 2 hours, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Step 5: Using a cookie scoop or Tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop the chilled cookie dough, about 3 scant Tablespoons (about 2 ounces, or 60g) of dough for XL cookies or 2 heaping Tablespoons (about 1.75 ounces, or 50g) of dough for medium-large cookies. Roll into a ball, then use your fingers to shape the cookie dough so that it’s taller rather than wide—almost like a cylinder. This helps the cookies bake up thicker. Repeat with remaining dough. Arrange the cookies 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake the cookies for 13–14 minutes or until the edges are very lightly browned. The centers will look very soft, but the cookies will continue to set as they cool. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. While the cookies are still warm, I like to press a few more chocolate chips into the tops—this is optional and only for looks!

Step 7: Store tightly covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.

🎬 Video Tutorial Coming Soon!

💡 Expert Tips for Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

These pro tips will help you achieve perfect results every time:

🎯 Pro Tips for This Recipe:

Egg tip: Use room temperature eggs for better volume and even mixing in your batter.
Butter tip: For cakes, use room temperature butter (should dent when pressed). Melted butter creates a denser texture.
Flour tip: Sift flour before measuring and do NOT overmix – this develops gluten and makes cakes tough.
Creaming tip: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes) – this creates air for a lighter cake.
Vanilla tip: Use pure vanilla extract, not imitation – the flavor difference is significant in baking.

🔄 Variations & Substitutions

This chocolate chip cookies recipe is very flexible. Here are some tested options:

If You Don’t Have…	Use This Instead	Notes
Butter	Coconut oil or ghee	Use equal amounts
All-purpose flour	Gluten-free 1:1 flour blend	Works perfectly in most recipes
Cornstarch	Arrowroot or tapioca starch	Use same amount
Eggs	Flax egg or chia egg	1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg
Sugar	Honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar	Adjust liquid if using syrup

📜 The History of This Dish

Cookies have a surprisingly long history, dating back to 7th century Persia, shortly after sugar became available in the region. The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch “koekje,” meaning “little cake.”

When Dutch and English colonists brought their recipes to America, cookies evolved into the countless varieties we love today. The chocolate chip cookie, invented by Ruth Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in 1938, remains America’s favorite. She sold the recipe to Nestlé in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate!

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced cooks make these errors. Learn from others’ mistakes so your dish turns out perfect:

Overmixing the batter: Once you add flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough, dense baked goods instead of tender ones.
Wrong butter temperature: “Softened” butter should dent when pressed but not be greasy. Melted butter creates a completely different texture. Leave butter out 30-45 minutes before baking.
Cold eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better into batter and create more volume. Place eggs in warm water for 5 minutes if you forgot to take them out earlier.
Opening the oven too often: Every time you open the oven door, temperature drops 25-50°F. This can cause cakes to fall and cookies to bake unevenly.
Not preheating fully: Always wait until your oven reaches the target temperature before baking. An oven thermometer is worth the investment.
Hot baking sheets: Placing dough on warm sheets causes excessive spreading. Let sheets cool between batches, or use multiple sheets in rotation.

Remember: Cooking is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect!

🍳 Equipment You’ll Need

Having the right tools makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you need:

✅ Essential Equipment:

Mixing bowls: At least 2 sizes for dry and wet ingredients
Measuring cups & spoons: For accurate measurements
Electric mixer or whisk: Stand mixer preferred, but hand mixer works
Baking sheets: Light-colored prevent over-browning

💜 Helpful but Optional:

Cookie scoop: For uniform cookies that bake evenly
Silicone baking mats: Better than parchment for cookies
Oven thermometer: Most ovens run hot or cold
Kitchen scale: For precise flour measurements

Pro tip: You don’t need expensive equipment to cook great food. Focus on quality basics and add specialized tools as you need them.

📊 Nutritional Information

Approximate values per serving. Actual nutrition varies based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

353

Calories

3-5g

Protein

35-45g

Carbs

12-18g

Fat

Note: This is a treat – enjoy it mindfully as part of a balanced diet!

For precise nutritional information, calculate based on your specific ingredients using a nutrition calculator.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Complete your meal with these perfect pairings:

🥗 Serve With:

Cold glass of milk
Hot coffee or tea
Vanilla ice cream
As part of a dessert platter

🥤 Beverage Pairing: Pair with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.

Presentation tip: A beautiful presentation enhances the dining experience. Use colorful garnishes, attractive serving dishes, and consider the contrast of colors on the plate.

🎓 Expert Baking Insights

Take your baking to the next level with these professional techniques that transform a good recipe into an exceptional one:

🔬 Science explanation

Professional chefs prep all ingredients before cooking (mise en place) for a reason—it prevents burning while you scramble to chop. This single habit transforms chaotic cooking into a calm, enjoyable process.

⚗️ Exact temperature precision

Different parts of chicken cook at different rates. Breasts reach 165°F faster than thighs. Use a thermometer in the thickest part without touching bone. Consider separating pieces for more even cooking.

🎯 Make-ahead instructions

Season at each stage: salt the aromatics, season the protein before cooking, adjust the sauce, and finish with a final taste. Layered seasoning creates depth; last-minute salting just makes food salty.

💡 Scaling guidance

Pro tip: Understanding concepts like cooling rack, sheet, and dough will help you master not just this recipe, but improve your overall cooking skills.

🥡 How to Store Leftovers

Properly storing your chocolate chip cookies recipe ensures it stays fresh and delicious for days.

🏠

Room Temp

3-5 days in a sealed box

❄️

Fridge

Up to 1 week sealed

🧊

Freezer

Up to 3 months – thaw in fridge

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions about this chocolate chip cookies recipe:

How long does it take to make Chocolate Chip Cookies?

This recipe takes 28 minutes total – 15 minutes for prep and 13 minutes for cooking. Perfect for a weeknight meal!

What ingredients do I need for Chocolate Chip Cookies?

The main ingredients are: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch*, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup (170g/12 Tbsp) unsalted butter. Full measurements are in the recipe card above.

How do you store Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Can you make Chocolate Chip Cookies ahead of time?

This recipe has been tested and optimized for the best results. Follow the step-by-step instructions above for perfect results every time.

Why are my Chocolate Chip Cookies flat?