Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most iconic desserts in the world — golden on the outside, soft inside, and filled with rich chocolate flavor. This recipe delivers thick, bakery-style cookies with a buttery aroma and the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Whether you’re baking for your family, preparing treats for guests, or simply craving something warm and comforting, these homemade chocolate chip cookies are a guaranteed success. With a handful of basic ingredients and simple preparation steps, you can recreate the classic cookies shown in the image and enjoy a batch that tastes even better than store-bought.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough
Start by placing the softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Add both granulated sugar and brown sugar, then beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This step is essential because it traps air in the dough, helping the cookies rise and achieve their soft texture.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Once the wet mixture is smooth and glossy, it’s time to combine the dry ingredients.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Keeping the dry ingredients separate ensures even distribution when mixed with the wet ingredients.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently or mixing on low speed. Avoid over-mixing; stop when the dough becomes thick and well combined. Now the dough should be soft yet firm enough to handle.
3. Add the Chocolate Chips
Pour the chocolate chips into the dough and fold them in evenly. You want every cookie to have plenty of chocolate pieces, so mixing thoroughly is important — but again, don’t overwork the dough.
As shown in your image, the dough should become firm and slightly sticky, holding together in a smooth ball.
4. Shape the Cookies
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1–1.5 cm. Using a round cutter or even the rim of a glass, cut out cookie discs. Place each cookie on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Leave space between them, as they will spread slightly when baked.
This method creates uniformly shaped, thick cookies that bake evenly and look beautifully professional.
5. Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the tray in the middle rack and bake the cookies for 12–15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
Keep an eye on them — you want the centers to remain soft and slightly pale while the edges become crisp.
Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the tray for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling and firm up.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Your homemade chocolate chip cookies are now ready to enjoy. They have a delightful crunch on the outside with a soft, tender center and rich chocolate flavor throughout. Serve them warm with milk, pack them for snacks, or store them in an airtight container for later — they stay fresh for several days.
Tips for Perfect Results
- Use room-temperature butter: Soft butter helps create the ideal texture and mixes more easily with sugar.
- Do not over-mix: Over-working the dough leads to tough cookies instead of soft ones.
- Chill the dough (optional): For even thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before cutting and baking.
- Add nuts: If you love crunch, stir in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Use high-quality chocolate chips: Better chocolate equals better cookies.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe balances butter, sugar, and flour perfectly to create the classic cookie everyone loves. The mixture of granulated sugar and brown sugar adds both crispiness and moisture. The combination of baking powder and baking soda gives the cookies lift and softness. Rolling and cutting the dough results in uniform sizes, which helps each cookie bake evenly and look picture-perfect — just like the ones shown.
Chocolate chip cookies are beloved for their simple ingredients and comforting flavor. This recipe is versatile, easy to follow, and yields consistent results. Whether you prefer your cookies soft, chewy, or crispy, the baking time can be slightly adjusted to match your taste. The dough is also freezer-friendly, allowing you to make a large batch and bake fresh cookies anytime.
Storing and Freezing
These cookies keep well for 5–7 days in an airtight container. For long-term storage, freeze the shaped cookie dough discs on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake straight from the freezer by adding 2–3 minutes to the normal baking time. This makes it incredibly convenient to enjoy fresh cookies whenever you want.