Everyone needs a go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe, and this one is simply perfect! These cookies have a golden, crisp edge with a soft, chewy center, packed with rich, melty chocolate in every bite. Plus, there’s no need to chill the dough—just mix, bake, and enjoy warm cookies straight from the oven.
Whether you’re baking for a party, a family treat, or just because you’re craving something sweet, this easy recipe delivers consistently amazing results. Ready to bake the best chocolate chip cookies ever? Keep reading for the full recipe!
🍪 Ingredients for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Mix-ins:
- 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark—your choice!)
💡 Pro Tips:
- Use high-quality chocolate chips or chunks for the best flavor.
- If using unsalted butter, increase sea salt to 1 ½ teaspoons.
- For gluten-free cookies, swap flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line three baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
Flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Set this mixture aside.
3. Cream the Butter & Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes).
4. Add Eggs & Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
5. Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix!
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
7. Scoop & Shape Dough
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form 2-3 tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
9. Let Them Set
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
💡 Pro Tip: The cookies will continue baking as they cool, so don’t overbake them!
🍪 How to Store & Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookies
Storing Fresh Cookies
- Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To maintain their soft texture, place a slice of bread in the container—the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread and stay fresh longer!
Freezing Cookie Dough
Want fresh cookies on demand? Freeze your cookie dough!
- Roll the dough into balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Flash freeze for 30 minutes until firm.
- Transfer the frozen dough balls to a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container.
- Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Baking Frozen Cookie Dough
- Option 1: Thaw First – Let the dough sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours, then bake as usual at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- Option 2: Bake From Frozen – Place frozen dough balls on a lined baking sheet, put them in a cold oven, and set it to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 15 minutes.
💡 Pro Tip: Baking from frozen gives cookies a slightly crispier edge while keeping the centers soft!
🍪 Nutritional Information & Pro Baking Tips for Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Cookie)
(Approximate values for a standard 2-tablespoon cookie)
- Calories: 183 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 27mg
- Sodium: 153mg
- Sugar: 18g
💡 Healthier Swaps:
- Use coconut sugar instead of white sugar for a natural option.
- Substitute half the butter with unsweetened applesauce to reduce fat.
- Swap ½ cup of flour for oat flour for extra fiber.
🔥 Expert Tips for Perfect Cookies Every Time
1. Measure Flour Correctly
- Use a spoon to scoop flour into a measuring cup, then level it off with a knife.
- Too much flour = dense cookies. Too little = cookies that spread too much!
2. Don’t Overmix the Dough
- Overmixing develops too much gluten, making cookies tough instead of chewy.
- Mix until just combined—stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
3. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
- Softened butter blends more easily for a smooth dough.
- Cold eggs? Soak them in warm water for 5 minutes before using.
4. Chill the Dough (Optional)
- While this recipe doesn’t require chilling, chilling for 30 minutes results in thicker cookies with a deeper flavor.
5. Underbake Slightly for the Best Texture
- Cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out.
- Let them sit on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes to finish baking before transferring to a wire rack.
📋 Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (medium and large)
- Whisk
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup 2 sticks salted butter, softened (Increase salt to 1½ tsp if using unsalted butter)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- Mix-ins:
- 2 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate—your choice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy (1-2 minutes).
- Add Eggs & Vanilla:
- Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
- Combine Wet & Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Add Chocolate Chips:
- Fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Shape Dough:
- Scoop 2-3 tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and centers appear slightly underbaked.
- Cool:
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Video
Notes
Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend if needed.
Chill dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies.
Store baked cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft longer.
❓ FAQ & Troubleshooting Common Cookie Problems
1. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Possible causes:
Too much butter – Measure carefully and avoid melting the butter.
Warm dough – If the dough feels too soft, chill it for 30 minutes before baking.
Old baking soda/powder – Test freshness by mixing baking soda with vinegar; it should fizz immediately.
2. Why didn’t my cookies spread at all?
Possible reasons:
Too much flour – Be sure to spoon and level the flour instead of scooping it.
Cold dough – If your dough was chilled too long, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before baking.
Oven temperature too low – Use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy.
3. How do I make my cookies extra chewy?
Use more brown sugar than white sugar for extra chewiness.
Add an extra egg yolk for a richer, softer texture.
Bake at a slightly lower temperature (350°F) and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet.
4. Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute:
Vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter.
Dairy-free chocolate chips (like Enjoy Life or Hu Kitchen).
5. Can I freeze already-baked cookies?
Absolutely!
Let cookies cool completely.
Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
To reheat, warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Final Thoughts – Time to Bake! 🍪
Now that you have the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe with all the pro tips and tricks, it’s time to start baking!
If you try this recipe, leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Share your creations on Instagram and tag @joyfoodsunshine so we can see your delicious cookies.
Happy baking! 🍪💛
