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This recipe actually IS The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe – it’s been the most popular chocolate chip cookie recipe on my entire website for almost a decade now! It made it into my first cookbook and has remained a reader favourite for years now thanks to it having ingredients that you have in your pantry, Just read all the hundreds of rave reviews that have been left over the years, this is the only chocolate chip cookie recipe you’ll ever need! If you don’t believe me – believe the tens of thousands of people that have baked these cookies over the years – they know their stuff!
How to Make Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies From Scratch
These are fast and easy chocolate chip cookies that turn out thick and chewy! Remember to under bake them slightly and they will turn out chewy. These thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies are the base for my Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies with Raisins, my Chocolate Mint Ritz Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies and my personal favourite Walnut Loaded Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies. This chocolate chip cookie dough is perfect for making stuffed cookies of all types! If you are looking for crispy chocolate chip cookies, try my Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, that one is MY all time favourite!
How to Freeze Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies freeze exceptionally well and it’s easy to do! Bake them up and then store them in the freezer for snacks and school lunches.
- You are going to freeze the already baked cookies on a cookie sheet in one layer until they are frozen solid.
- Remove the frozen cookies from the cookie sheets and place into an airtight, freezer safe container.
- Place the cookies layer by layer (putting parchment paper or wax paper between the layers to make sure that they don’t stick together) and then seal with the lid.
- Freeze for up to 3-6 months.
- Defrost on the counter-top and enjoy!
How to Keep Your Cookies Fresh
I learned this trick from a professional bakers daughter! To keep your chocolate chip cookies fresh, seal them in a container with a piece of fresh bread (or at least not stale bread) The chocolate chip cookies will wick the moisture from the bread while they are sealed up in the container and you will have chocolate chip cookies that will last for 4-5 days on your counter top- and still be soft and chewy! I do NOT recommend anything else – I have seen apple slices and wet paper towels recommended – as flavors from the apple WILL wick into your cookies and paper towels are messier.
What type of flour do I use in chocolate chip cookies?
The best type of flour to use in chocolate chip cookies is unbleached, all purpose flour. The brand doesn’t really matter as long as it’s a brand that YOU like to use.
What type of butter do I use in chocolate chip cookies? Can I use salted butter?
The best butter to use in your baking is one that tastes good off the spoon – or you can taste test it on plain toast. You want to use a butter that is good quality and tastes delicious! This is what your cookies are going to taste like, so make sure it’s good! As for salted butter, I use salted butter all the time in my baking, just use a portion of the salt in the recipe if you are doing so. The rule of thumb is that you leave out 1/4 tsp of salt for every 1/2 cup of salted butter you use, so you would only use 3/4 tsp of salt in my recipe.
Do you need brown sugar for chocolate chip cookies? What kind?
You absolutely need brown sugar for chocolate chip cookies, or they will be too sweet and lack a depth of flavour. I use golden or light brown sugar in all of my cookie recipes, but I have a friend who uses dark in almost everything she bakes – and everything she makes turns out great as well! It will be a deeper, more molasses-ey flavor when you use a dark brown sugar. If you don’t have brown sugar, mix in 2 tbsp of molasses to every cup of white sugar that you are substituting.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Troubleshooting
Here is a list of the common problems you might encounter when making chocolate chip cookies – or most cookies, for that matter.
Problem: My cookies spread out and are flat.
- If it’s humid or hot, like with any other cookie recipe, you are going to have to adjust your methods. Chill the dough in the fridge before baking to combat heat, and with humidity add in a couple tbsp of flour until the dough firms up.
- If you have neither heat nor humidity and you have a wet dough – I hate to break it to you but your butter is cheap and has a high water content. It happens, a LOT and is massively important AND always overlooked when it comes to baking. There are 2 1/4 CUPS of flour and only 1/2 cup of butter – this is one of the driest cookie doughs out there.
- You also could have measured wrong, because there is no way 1/2 cup of butter mixed into that large amount of flour can be wet.
- You aren’t measuring the flour correctly OR you are using sifted flour. A lot of people don’t realize that your flour can come pre-sifted, which means that when you are measuring out your flour it will NEVER match recipes on the internet! Never buy pre-sifted flour unless it’s for a recipe that specifies it. Most households buy unsifted and use un-sifted.
- Your oven could be running at a different temperature, check it’s accuracy.
Problem: My cookies are tough and not chewy
Make sure to under bake the cookies. You only have to heat them up to 165 °F, to properly and safely cook the raw eggs in them. You can have ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies without adding honey or corn syrup, just simply under bake and enjoy!
You might have over-beaten the cookies. Don’t beat the dough as much next time
More Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes
- Nothing beats the Original Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!
- This recipe from Allrecipes has great ratings as well.
- Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies from Martha Stewart
These chocolate chip cookies are very kid friendly, thick and delicious, strong enough to hold together in children’s lunches and small enough that you don’t feel too guilty sending them to school for a treat. This is a super delicious recipe and my go to for late night “Oh my god, I need a cookie” moments.
Happy baking!
Love,
Karlynn
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon salt ( use 1/2 tsp if you are using salted butter)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Get out your baking sheets and line with parchment paper.
- Cream together your butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and vanilla, mixing thoroughly. .
- Whisk together the dry ingredients ,then beat them into the butter mixture until combined completely.
- When that is done, fold in the two cups of chocolate chips by hand, and prepare to put them on the parchment paper lined cookie sheets.
- Drop by rounded tablespoonful onto the baking sheets.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and slightly underdone. Cool on the sheets completely. Store in closed containers
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Karlynn Johnston says
Nope, do the recipe as written, that’s simply the “kitchen science” behind how to make thicker cookies. Butter makes them spread out and a lower temp lets thicker cookies bake inside better.
emz219 says
Real newbie baker question for you all that have managed to make these cookies this thick… when the kitchen magpie mentions that the butter should be halved and baked at a lower temperature, she has already taken those points into account in her recipe, I assume? I shouldn’t halve the 1/2 c of butter to be 1/4? Thank you!!
Mona says
Kelly – thanks for the suggestions. I tried making the cookies again and this time I creamed the butter instead but still the cookies came out did not turn out to be chewy. Any thoughts?
Flowerperson211212 says
Loved them
Kelly says
Mona- I’m not an expert, but I’ve made quite a few chocolate chip cookies. In my experience, butter that is melted, even partially, can make a flat crispy cookie. There are a few recipes that have become very popular, using melted or browned butter, and it seems that those recipes end up using less flour, less soda, more fat, and cook for less time. The pictures also seem to show a less consistent thickness of cookie (search “test kitchen thick and chewy chocolate chip,” everyone makes them and turns out with a different looking cookie, albeit always delicious). Every time I made the Tollhouse recipe (which was the standard when I was growing up), melted or partially melted butter resulted in a flat, and if baked for the recommended time, crispy cookie. In short, either cream your butter when it’s solid, or use a recipe that calls specifically for melted butter (because, after all, it is a heck of a lot easier to do by hand when melted).
thekitchenmagpie says
@Kelly All good advice!
Angelwondr1 says
Awesome cookies! I made these exactly as the recipe instructed and they turned out tasty and wonderfully addictive!!
Mona says
Thank you so much for this recipe! The taste was great. Everyone I gave the cookies to like it. However, the cookies did not turn out to be chewy. What could be the reason? I melt the butter in microwave to liquid before mixing the butter with the brown sugar. Can that be the reason why my cookies did not turn out to be chewy? Would greatly appreciate if you can help me with this problem. Thanks!!
Joylene says
@Mona yes I know they turned out the same for me !!!! was not pleased with this seems like somethimg was missing.
twistedw0nderland says
@Mona you should have let the butter melt on its own out in room temp. plan ahead, you can take the butter out, do chores then when it’s soft you can start baking. if you’re in a hurry though, you can put it on the microwave only in defrost mode, keeping watch that it won’t completely melt. hope this helps!
BettyAS says
I can’t get a cookie right but. I tried this recipe and I actually did it , and by the way I didn’t melt the butter and I forgot to add the white sugar and i also put white chocolate in the mix. They turned out just like they looked. Very sticky mixture.
TeresaC562 says
I live at 6200 feet above sea level. I did not adjust the recipe (except not adding salt). The cookies flattened out more than yours that are pictured, but they did not flatten out like my usual chocolate chip cookies do. They were the best I’ve ever made. I will use this recipe from now on.
thekitchenmagpie says
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" profile_url="https://www.livefyre.com/profile/12786178/" ns="true">TeresaC562 Glad they are the best you’ve ever made!
Sooke lady says
Yum yum yum!! BEST COOKIES EVER!!
Thanks for Sharing
thekitchenmagpie says
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" profile_url="https://www.livefyre.com/profile/6100363/" ns="true">Sooke lady Yay! Glad you liked them!
Approved says
I made these cookies today I made a double batch put it in the fridge foe 2 hrs I was baking other things I wanted to do these last I would like you to know I have never posted a comment before no matter how good or bad it was. I read all your post for this one ,and I have to say I do a great of cooking and baking from scratch. This is by far the very best chocolate chip cookie I have ever made and ate. I’m not sure what happened for those who made it and it didn’t turn out your instruction were great, easy and I swear nice golden on the bottom a little on top and moist and gooey in the middle
Awesome. My husband and children thank you good thing I made 8 1/2 doz
Joylene says
@Approved Yea the instructions were easy !!!! but why r so many saying how Flat they were. they should of been more volume, like the Picture shown,
Carolynn20 says
@Approved I couldnt agree more, I make this recipe all the time and mine always look just like the picture ….I dont know why the other posters are not getting the same results
My kids love them! easiest recipe to follow 🙂 thanks Karlynn for sharing it
thekitchenmagpie says
@Approved Aw so glad they worked out for you!
Karlynn Johnston says
So glad you liked them and thank you for commenting!
Isabella says
Best choclate chip cookies ever! I used apple butter instead of regular butter in an effort to make them a wee bit healthier, and wow! The cookies where just as tasty, and I found that the apple butter kept them moist longer. None of my family even noticed my little change hehe. I highly recommend these cookies to anyone in need of an amazing recipe. 🙂
thekitchenmagpie says
@Isabella The apple butter sounds great!
Katie says
I made this recipe last night and it is VERY good. For my oven I put the cookies in for 10-11mins (my oven is really hot). They held their shape very nicely!
I doubled the recipe exactly and got 48 cookies (4dozen), instead of 24 cookies (2dozen). I was however using a cookie scoop (by Wilton) which provided small-medium size cookies. On my last batch I made a few of them bigger just to use the dough up!
I added mini chocolate chips AND chopped up Cadbury Mini Eggs (YUM).
I took some into work, have some at home and gave some to my neighbour…..no complaints yet!
I REALLY RECOMMEND THESE COOKIES!!!!
Jin says
Hi,
This is the best recipe ever! I have tried other recipes but the don’t come anywhere close to this one. Thank you for sharing.
AnissaMacdonald says
My four year old daughter and I just made these and they turned out beautifully. 🙂
Karlynn Johnston says
So glad you liked it!
Karlynn Johnston says
Oh my! Poor Grandma! Thanks for the lovely comment and welcome!
tori_nz says
This recipe is fantastic, thank you! I’ve made a lot of cookies before but these definitely hit the spot! I didn’t find them too fluffy at all. I made sure they were slightly undercooked and this kept them nice and gooey on the inside, but crunchy on the outside – SO good!!!
kbird1220 says
This is the BEST choc. chop cookie recipe i have ever seen! THANK YOU! It’s incredible. I’ve looked everywhere for thick, gooey cookies and this is absolutely perfect!
thekitchenmagpie says
_u*********@li******.com
" profile_url="https://www.livefyre.com/profile/10742687/" ns="true">kbird1220 I am SO glad that you loved it! Thank you for letting me know, I love hearing feedback. Welcome!
Cookie_Monster says
wowza…. I juuust made these. Normally, I don’t bother to post, but these are the best. I’m sorry Grandma, buuut…. I’m swapping recipe’s with this one. Thanks!
Milly says
I wasn’t happy with these. They weren’t chewy at all. They weren’t crunchy and hard but were very light and fluffy, not dense enough at all. Won’t be making these again.
LindsayA91 says
@Milly You obviously did something wrong, because I’ve made these several times and they are still just as chewy on the third day as they are the first.
VanessaTaylor says
WOW!! I have made so many chocolate chip cookie recipes and this is WHHHHOOAAAA NELLY, the BEST EVER!!! OMG, so delish!!!! Thank you!!
MirandaButler says
Awesome cookies EVERYONE loves them
jjsweets2000 says
I make these all the time but I find if you add backing power instead of backing soda u will have big chunky cookies.
noey says
These. Are. Awesome. Mine looked like your photo except for I used mini choc chips! They were chewy and thick and such a cute smallish size. I made the dough in the morning then refrigerated it until I baked a sheet after dinner. Fabulous results!
I’m done searching for a choco chip cookie recipes! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elle says
I just finished making these cookies and they turned out fantastic! Thanks for the recipe. Gold star!!!
Karlynn Johnston says
You’re welcome and so glad you liked them!
Karlynn Johnston says
You are so welcome!!
MariaHay1 says
I made these for my husband and he loves them!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing… They are the best cookies ever :0)
ColleenE says
Great Recipe Magpie!
I have been struggling for years to find the ideal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe; but struggle no more as I have found the perfect one!
What appealed to me most about this recipe, was the measurements for the butter and sugar. I didn’t know it was possible to cut those ingredients in half and still have great tasting cookies!
The first time I made these, I replaced Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips with M&M’s and Peanut Butter M&M’s; however, this time I used Butterscotch Chips and Chocolate Chips. Either way works out perfectly for my family; as the batter or cookie itself tastes outstanding! I don’t know why there have been a few comments as to the blandness of this recipe …. must be something they’re doing differently, or not at all. For those who have repeatedly tried this recipe and still find them tasteless; try adding a teaspoon or tablespoon of Molasses, or Honey. Or try using different flavoured chips. —- I think this recipe has satisfied my urge to find a perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie, and I will forever use your recipe! Thank you Magpie!
jjsweets2000 says
Best cookies in the world make these all the time