Best Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft, Chewy & Irresistible

There’s nothing quite like the perfect chocolate chip cookie—golden edges, a soft and chewy center, and melty chocolate in every bite. This recipe is everything you love about homemade cookies, with the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and rich buttery flavor. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just because, these cookies will be a staple in your kitchen!

 

My Experience with the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Over the years, I’ve tested countless chocolate chip cookie recipes, tweaking and perfecting them to find the ultimate balance of crisp edges, chewy centers, and gooey chocolate. The secret? A combination of butter, brown sugar, and a chilling step that enhances flavor and texture. I even experimented with different chocolate chips and found that using a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate chunks creates the best flavor. Trust me—this is the only chocolate chip cookie recipe you’ll ever need!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Soft and Chewy Perfection – Crisp edges with gooey centers.
✔️ Easy to Make – No fancy equipment needed, just simple ingredients.
✔️ Perfect Flavor Balance – A mix of white and brown sugar adds depth and chewiness.
✔️ Great for Freezing – Make extra dough and bake fresh cookies anytime!
✔️ Endless Variations – Customize with nuts, different chocolates, or add-ins like sea salt.

How to Make the Best Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Find the full recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks)
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions:

1. Cream the Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the Eggs & Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
3. Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully combined.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently stir in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using).
6. Chill the Dough: Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) for the best flavor and texture of the Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies.
7. Preheat & Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Scoop & Bake: Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges but soft in the middle.
9. Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Pro Tips for the Best Cookies

• Chill the Dough! – This step is key for preventing spreading and intensifying flavor.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Helps everything mix evenly for the perfect dough.
• Don’t Overbake – The cookies will continue baking slightly as they cool.
• Mix Chocolate Types – A mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate makes for next-level cookies.
• Sprinkle with Sea Salt – A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the chocolate flavor!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Variations

Want to switch things up? Try these fun variations:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – Replace 1/2 cup butter with peanut butter for a nutty twist.
• Double Chocolate Cookies – Add 1/3 cup cocoa powder for a rich, fudgy version.
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Replace 1 cup of flour with oats for a hearty texture.
• Salted Caramel Cookies – Swirl in 1/4 cup caramel sauce before baking.

What to Serve with Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are delicious on their own, but even better with:

• A cold glass of milk – The ultimate classic pairing.
• Vanilla ice cream – Make an ice cream sandwich for a decadent treat.
• A drizzle of melted chocolate – For extra indulgence.
• Coffee or hot cocoa – A cozy combination for any time of day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze cookie dough?
Yes! Scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then store in a bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.

Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling solidifies the butter, preventing cookies from spreading too much and making them chewier and more flavorful.

What’s the best chocolate to use?
High-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate works best. Try a mix of chocolate chips, chunks, and shavings for extra variety!

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but expect a slightly different texture.

Final Thoughts

These Best Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything you want in a classic cookie—soft, chewy, chocolate-packed, and absolutely delicious. Whether you bake a fresh batch for a cozy night in or stash some dough in the freezer for cookie cravings, this recipe is a must-have for any home baker.

Give them a try, and I promise, they’ll become your go-to chocolate chip cookies!*

Best Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft, Chewy

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• Author: Chef Billy
• Total Time: 25 minutes

Print Recipe

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Description

There’s nothing quite like the perfect chocolate chip cookie—golden edges, a soft and chewy center, and melty chocolate in every bite. This recipe is everything you love about homemade cookies, with the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and rich buttery flavor. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just because, these cookies will be a staple in your kitchen!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks)
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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Instructions

1. Cream the Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the Eggs & Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
3. Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully combined.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently stir in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using).
6. Chill the Dough: Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) for the best flavor and texture.
7. Preheat & Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Scoop & Bake: Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges but soft in the middle.
9. Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

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Notes

Pro Tips for the Best Cookies

• Chill the Dough! – This step is key for preventing spreading and intensifying flavor.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Helps everything mix evenly for the perfect dough.
• Don’t Overbake – The cookies will continue baking slightly as they cool.
• Mix Chocolate Types – A mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate makes for next-level cookies.
• Sprinkle with Sea Salt – A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the chocolate flavor!

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• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Category: Breakfast

Nutrition

• Calories: 47kcal

Chef Billy

I’m Billy, a classically trained culinary school graduate from The Culinary Institute of America with over 12 years in the restaurant industry and over 19 years of cooking experience.