Name: Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 & 1/4 cups (162g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled; 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar, light or dark; 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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If you have a soft spot for warm, gooey treats that bring comfort with every bite, you are absolutely going to adore this Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. This recipe hits the perfect balance between chewy centers and slightly crisp edges, delivering that classic chocolate chip cookie experience we all crave. Each cookie is packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips that melt beautifully, while the subtle use of cornstarch ensures an irresistibly tender texture. Whether it’s for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, these cookies will quickly become your new favorite go-to dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A close-up view of smooth, light brown cookie dough inside a clear glass bowl. The dough has a soft, creamy texture with slight ridges and small darker specks scattered throughout. The dough forms a rounded heap that fills much of the bowl's base. A white spatula with some dough stuck on it is partially resting on the right side of the bowl, showing fresh stirring motion. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a key role, from creating the perfect dough texture to enhancing the rich, buttery flavor and that mouthwatering golden color of the finished cookie.

All-purpose flour (1 & 1/4 cups / 162g): Provides structure and the foundation of your cookie dough.
Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Adds softness and tenderness, making those cookies melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps cookies rise and spread just right for that ideal shape.
Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a gentle lift to create a soft, airy crumb.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness while enhancing the other flavors.
Unsalted butter (1/2 cup / 115g), melted and cooled: Infuses rich, creamy flavor and moistness into the cookies.
Brown sugar (1/2 cup / 100g), packed: Brings a deep caramel note and helps retain chewiness.
Granulated sugar (1/4 cup / 50g): Adds sweetness and crisp edges.
Large egg (1), at room temperature: Binds ingredients and creates a tender cookie crumb.
Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lifts and brightens the overall flavor.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): The star ingredient that melts into little pockets of chocolatey joy.

How to Make Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Begin by heating your oven to 350°F and lining two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This step ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off easily without sticking, making cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and salt, crucial for the perfect texture and flavor balance in your cookies.

Step 3: Mix Sugars and Butter

In a large bowl, mix melted butter with both brown and granulated sugars. Whisk this mixture vigorously until it stops separating and starts to form ribbons when lifted. This step takes about 1 to 2 minutes by hand and is vital for combining the fats and sugars, creating a luscious base for your dough.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Whisk in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and homogenous. This enriches the dough, helping it hold together beautifully while adding subtle flavor complexity.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips

Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until nearly combined. Then toss in the chocolate chips and mix again until the dough is soft and streak-free. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape

Using a large 2 oz cookie scoop, portion dough balls evenly on your prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 3 inches between each so they can spread without merging. For an extra indulgent touch, press a few additional chocolate chips gently on top of each dough ball before baking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies in the oven’s center rack for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for puffed-up dough with golden brown edges – that is your sign to pull them out, giving you a soft inside with a slightly crisp exterior.

Step 8: Perfect the Shape

While still hot, press the edges of the cookies with a round cutter or cup rim to create perfectly round cookies. This step not only improves the appearance but also helps those edges stay nice and crisp.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents breakage, making them easier to handle and more enjoyable to eat.

How to Serve Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a single chocolate chip cookie with a bite taken from its edge, placed on a crinkled brown paper. The cookie is golden-brown with a rough, slightly cracked surface, dotted generously with large, melted dark chocolate chunks. Small grains of white salt are sprinkled on top, adding texture and contrast. In the background, there is a blurry stack of similar cookies and some scattered chocolate chips. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For a pretty presentation, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the cookies while they’re still warm. The salty-sweet contrast highlights the chocolate flavor and makes each bite more vibrant.

Side Dishes

Pair your cookies with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic combination. For adults, a cup of rich coffee or a cozy mug of hot chocolate also makes the perfect complement.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cookies on a pretty plate tied with a rustic twine bow for gift-giving or party favors. You can also sandwich them with softened buttercream or peanut butter for decadent cookie sandwiches that will wow everyone at your gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay perfectly soft and chewy for up to five days, making them an excellent treat to enjoy throughout the week.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough balls individually on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. This lets you bake fresh cookies anytime you want without having to make the dough from scratch. Frozen dough lasts up to 3 months.

Reheating

Warm your cookies in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. This revives their softness and that warm-from-the-oven feeling every single time.

FAQs

Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?

While butter provides the best flavor and texture in this Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, you can use margarine as a substitute; however, avoid oil since it changes the cookie’s tenderness and taste.

Why do you add cornstarch to the cookie dough?

Cornstarch is a secret ingredient that softens the cookies by preventing too much gluten from forming, giving you that tender, almost cake-like interior that distinguishes these cookies.

What is the purpose of using both baking soda and baking powder?

Using both allows for balanced leavening: baking soda helps spread the cookies and adds browning, while baking powder provides lift for a softer, airier cookie.

Can I use dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips instead?

Absolutely! Semi-sweet chips are classic, but dark or milk chocolate chips will work beautifully and provide slightly different flavor profiles based on your preference.

What if I want thicker cookies?

For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least an hour before scooping and baking. This prevents spreading, resulting in chunkier, more substantial cookies.

Final Thoughts

This Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is truly a gem that brings out the childlike joy in baking and eating cookies. From the soft, tender crumb to the rich bursts of chocolate, it’s a recipe you will return to again and again—and your family and friends will thank you for sharing it! So grab your ingredients and get ready to make some unforgettable homemade cookies that fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your heart with pure delight.