If you’ve searched high and low for a recipe that delivers tender, bakery-style cookies every single time, your journey ends here with The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies are everything a true cookie lover craves: irresistibly soft in the center with just the right amount of chew and loaded with glorious chocolate chips in every bite. This nostalgic treat is wonderfully simple to bake, yet never fails to wow friends, family, and even yourself with its perfect balance of flavor and texture. Be prepared to fall in love and quite possibly never look at another cookie recipe the same way again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how a handful of everyday pantry staples come together to create The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Each ingredient is essential, working its magic on the final taste, texture, or color of the cookies. Let’s break down what makes every component so key.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Gives richness and moisture, and softening helps everything blend smoothly for that perfect chewy texture.
- Packed brown sugar (1 cup): Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and is the secret to a soft, chewy bite.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Brings a touch of sweetness and helps the cookies get those lovely crisp edges.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the dough and lend a tender, pillowy interior to every cookie.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Rounds out all the flavors and infuses every bite with comforting warmth.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The structural backbone, keeping the cookies pillowy instead of flat.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Ensures lift and just the right amount of spread as the cookies bake.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances out the sweetness and boosts all the chocolatey flavors.
- Semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups): These classic morsels melt into gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite—perfection!
How to Make The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, which is the golden temperature for cookies that are crispy at the edges but gloriously chewy in the center. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, so your cookies don’t stick and clean up is a breeze. Prepping early ensures the cookies bake up evenly and never overcook on a hot pan.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This creaming process adds air to the dough, helping create that irresistible soft and chewy texture The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are famous for.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for that hint of warmth and unmistakable home-baked aroma. Take your time here—proper blending gives your cookies their signature tender bite.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This extra step ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout, so every cookie puffs up beautifully and tastes just right. No flour pockets here—just pure, consistent deliciousness.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can toughen your cookies, so stop once everything is unified. This careful approach locks in that chewy, soft character that makes The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies truly special.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly dispersed. If you love extra chocolate in every bite, don’t be shy about using a heaping cupful or even mixing in a few dark chocolate chips for extra depth (a fun twist if you’re feeling adventurous).
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Use a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon to drop dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing each mound about two inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges turn golden yet the centers look slightly soft. The magic of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies happens when you slightly underbake—the centers continue to cook on the sheet, ensuring that soft, chewy finish.
Step 8: Cool to Perfection
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This pause allows the cookies to firm up just enough while staying pillowy and tender inside. And yes, sneaking one while still warm is totally encouraged!
How to Serve The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking elevates these cookies from classic to gourmet with just a pinch. You can also drizzle a little melted chocolate or even add a touch of cinnamon sugar on top for an extra-special finish. The toppings are entirely up to you and let you put your own twist on The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies every time.
Side Dishes
There’s nothing more classic than pairing these cookies with a tall, cold glass of milk! For coffee lovers, a cup of rich espresso or creamy latte turns snack time into a cozy café moment. These cookies also shine alongside scoops of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of fresh berries for a delightful dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Get extra festive by stacking the cookies and tying them with bakery twine—a thoughtful edible gift! Arrange them on a platter with mini bowls of dipping sauces like caramel or chocolate ganache for a party-ready treat. Or, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for dreamy homemade ice cream sandwiches. The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are always the life of the party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies extra soft, try adding a slice of bread to the container; the cookies absorb moisture from the bread, staying plush and chewy, just like the day you baked them.
Freezing
You can freeze both the unbaked dough and the baked cookies! For dough, scoop it onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Pop a few out whenever you need a fresh-baked treat!
Reheating
To revive that just-baked warmth and gooeyness, pop a cookie in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. For an oven refresh, warm at 300°F for about 3 minutes. The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are equally dreamy at room temperature or warm and melty—it’s all about your preference.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Absolutely, just reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies. Salted butter will add a subtle, savory note that some people love in The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Why do my cookies turn out flat?
Flat cookies can result from overly soft or melted butter, or skipping the chill time. For extra height and chewiness, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Can I make The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with different chocolate chips?
Yes! Try a mix of semisweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips for a more complex flavor. Chopped chocolate bars and even white chocolate chips are all fair game for customizing The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Are these cookies good for making ice cream sandwiches?
They are perfect for ice cream sandwiches! Their chewy centers hold up beautifully against melting ice cream, and the mild flavor makes any ice cream flavor shine.
What’s the trick to extra-chewy cookies?
The real secret is in using more brown sugar than white, plus slightly underbaking the cookies and allowing them to finish setting on the baking sheet. This preserves the irresistible chewiness that defines The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Final Thoughts
Every batch of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies brings joy, comfort, and a taste of nostalgia—whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet on a weeknight. Don’t be surprised if these become your go-to cookie recipe for years to come. Go on, bake a tray, and share the love—and the cookies!
Print
The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are the epitome of the perfect cookie – soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips. They are easy to make and will become your go-to recipe for a classic treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Fold in the chocolate chips evenly.
- Bake: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft.
Notes
- For extra chewy cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Use a mix of semisweet and dark chocolate chips for added depth of flavor.
- Slightly underbaking helps maintain a soft center.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
