The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever is all about creating the perfect balance of soft, chewy, and slightly crispy cookies with just the right amount of chocolate. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe for a cookie that’s sure to impress:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (or a mix of both)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer or by hand with a whisk until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
5. Stir in the Chocolate Chips:
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Scoop the Dough:
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
7. Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set. For softer cookies, take them out when they’re still a bit underdone (they will continue cooking on the baking sheet).
- If you like slightly crispier cookies, leave them in for an additional 1-2 minutes.
8. Cool the Cookies:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- Chill the Dough: For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) before baking. This helps the flavors meld together and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter (not melted) is key to achieving the right texture. If the butter is too cold, the cookies may turn out dense. If it’s too warm, they may spread too much.
- Do Not Overmix: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, mix until just combined to avoid developing too much gluten, which can result in tough cookies.
- Quality Chocolate: Use good-quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. The better the chocolate, the better your cookies will taste.
- Monitor Baking Time: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on the cookies. If you prefer slightly gooey centers, remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are golden, but the centers are still soft.
These cookies are the perfect combination of chewy and slightly crispy, with pockets of melty chocolate in every bite. Enjoy the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!