Chocolate Chip Cookies (Soft and Chewy) Recipe
This recipe for soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies delivers a classic American dessert that is perfectly balanced between crispy edges and tender, gooey centers. Made with a rich blend of butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla, and loaded with semisweet chocolate chips, these cookies are ideal for satisfying sweet cravings with a comforting texture and deep chocolate flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per tray
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (including chilling and baking two trays)
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp alcohol-free vanilla flavoring
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
Sugars
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1¼ cups packed light brown sugar
Chocolate
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips (about 2¼ cups), divided
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well combined. This step is essential for a light texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the alcohol-free vanilla flavoring for aromatic sweetness.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture just until combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain the cookie’s tenderness. Fold in 2 cups of the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough, reserving the rest for topping later.
- Chill the Dough: Scoop the dough into 3-tablespoon portions and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes. Chilling helps control spread during baking and enhances flavor development.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake one tray at a time for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just golden and the centers still appear soft and underdone. This ensures a chewy texture.
- Add Topping Chocolate Chips: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press the reserved chocolate chips into the hot cookie surfaces to create a visually appealing and melty chocolate topping.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Keep the remaining dough refrigerated while baking each tray to maintain the correct dough temperature and prevent excess spreading.
- Do not overbake; the cookies will continue to set as they cool, retaining a soft and chewy texture.
- Using parchment paper on baking sheets ensures easy removal and even cooking.
- Chilling the dough is key for flavor development and texture control.